Set-off - ISDA Provision: Difference between revisions

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=={{1992ma}}==
{{nman|isda|2002|6(f)}}
The 1992 ISDA contains no provision specifically allowing a right of set off. There is a definition of Set-off, however:
 
{{isdaquote|{{clause|ISDA|Master Agreement|1992|Set-off Definition}}|Set-off Definition|1992}}
 
=={{2002ma}}==
 
{{isdaquote|{{clause|ISDA|Master Agreement|2002|6(f)}}|6(f)|1992}}
 
==Commentary==
In a nutshell <sup>TM</sup>
{{box|Without prejudice to its other rights, an {{isdaprov|Innocent Party}} may set-off any part of an {{isdaprov|Early Termination Amount}} (in respect of all outstanding {{isdaprov|Transactions}}) against any “Other Amounts” payable under any agreement between the parties. <br>
 
To do so it may:
*convert one such amount into the other’s currency at a commercially reasonable rate.
*make a good faith estimate of any unascertained obligation, provided it accounts for any difference when such an amount is finally ascertained. <br>
The Innocent Party must give notice of any set-off.<br>
This clause does not create a charge or other security interest.}}
 
==={{1992ma}}===
ISDA published a provision in the [[Users Guide]] but several bespoke versions of a set-off provision developed and were used in the market. These often provided for the inclusion of '''{{isdaprov|Affiliate}}s''' in relation to the {{isdaprov|Non-defaulting Party}} or {{isdaprov|Non-affected Party}}.
 
==={{2002ma}}===
The 2002 ISDA contains a standard {{isdaprov|Set-off}} provision which refers to a “Payer” and “Payee”.
*'''Affiliates''': Either the "Payer" or the "Payee" could be the non-{{isdaprov|Defaulting Party}} or the non-{{isdaprov|Affected Party}} and so to include {{isdaprov|Affiliates}} into the 2002 Definition becomes problematic and cumbersome. Generally the market practice when using a 2002 schedule is therefore:
**'''Where Affiliates are required''': to use bespoke wording;
**'''Where Affiliates are not required''': and then fallback to the 2002 standard wording above.
*'''Scope''': The 2002  language provides for set-off following an {{isdaprov|Event of Default}}, {{isdaprov|CEUM}}, or any other {{isdaprov|Termination Event}} where there is one {{isdaprov|Affected Party}} and '''''all''''' outstanding transactions are {{isdaprov|Affected Transaction}}s.The {{Bank}} standard wording provides for set-off where there is an {{isdaprov|Event of Default}}, {{isdaprov|CEUM}}, {{isdaprov|Illegality}} or {{isdaprov|ATE}}. There is no specific reference to all {{isdaprov|Transaction}}s being {{isdaprov|Affected Transaction}}s but this is implied in any Set-off provision by its nature:
**If only some transactions are Affected Transactions and so only a portion of outstanding transactions are being terminated then there is an on-going relationship and unilateral set-off is not appropriate in such circumstances.
**i.e., if you ''weren't'' terminating all {{isdaprov|Transaction}}s, it would be drastic and counterproductive to a relationship to try to use a set-off clause!
*As such, the standard [[ISDA]] provision and the {{Bank}} provision are very similar in scope - the {{isdaprov|Tax Event}} and {{isdaprov|Tax Event Upon Merger}} provisions (those not caught by your wording) are more likely to only affect certain transactions and not all Transactions and therefore set-off is not likely to be relevant in such instances.
*'''Force Majeure''': The [[1992 ISDA Master]] contains no {{isdaprov|Force Majeure}} provision. Commercially, it is not likely that an [[ISDA]] would be closed-out as a result of a {{isdaprov|Termination Event}} as these are generally viewed as non-fault and set-off would generally not be relevant.
 
*'''{{isdaprov|Illegality}}''' does allow either party to terminate but this is limited to all {{isdaprov|Affected Transaction}}s which may not result in a [[close-out]] of the entire [[ISDA]]. In fact, the definition used of Affected Transactions makes it clear that in the cases of Illegality, Tax Event Upon Merger or Tax Event then it will only be transactions affected by the Termination Event that are closed-out. In relation to ATEs and CEUM this will be all Transactions and so set-off is relevant.
 
{{isdaanatomy}}

Latest revision as of 17:08, 29 August 2024

2002 ISDA Master Agreement

A Jolly Contrarian owner’s manual™

6(f) in a Nutshell

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Original text

6(f) Set-Off. Any Early Termination Amount payable to one party (the “Payee”) by the other party (the “Payer”), in circumstances where there is a Defaulting Party or where there is one Affected Party in the case where either a Credit Event Upon Merger has occurred or any other Termination Event in respect of which all outstanding Transactions are Affected Transactions has occurred, will, at the option of the Non-defaulting Party or the Non-affected Party, as the case may be (“X”) (and without prior notice to the Defaulting Party or the Affected Party, as the case may be), be reduced by its set-off against any other amounts (“Other Amounts”) payable by the Payee to the Payer (whether or not arising under this Agreement, matured or contingent and irrespective of the currency, place of payment or place of booking of the obligation). To the extent that any Other Amounts are so set off, those Other Amounts will be discharged promptly and in all respects. X will give notice to the other party of any set-off effected under this Section 6(f).

For this purpose, either the Early Termination Amount or the Other Amounts (or the relevant portion of such amounts) may be converted by X into the currency in which the other is denominated at the rate of exchange at which such party would be able, in good faith and using commercially reasonable procedures, to purchase the relevant amount of such currency.

If an obligation is unascertained, X may in good faith estimate that obligation and set off in respect of the estimate, subject to the relevant party accounting to the other when the obligation is ascertained.

Nothing in this Section 6(f) will be effective to create a charge or other security interest. This Section 6(f) will be without prejudice and in addition to any right of set-off, offset, combination of accounts, lien, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which any party is at any time otherwise entitled or subject (whether by operation of law, contract or otherwise).

See ISDA Comparison for a comparison between the 1992 ISDA and the 2002 ISDA.
The Varieties of ISDA Experience
Subject 2002 (wikitext) 1992 (wikitext) 1987 (wikitext)
Preamble Pre Pre Pre
Interpretation 1 1 1
Obligns/Payment 2 2 2
Representations 3 3 3
Agreements 4 4 4
EODs & Term Events 5 Events of Default: FTPDBreachCSDMisrepDUSTCross DefaultBankruptcyMWA Termination Events: IllegalityFMTax EventTEUMCEUMATE 5 Events of Default: FTPDBreachCSDMisrepDUSTCross DefaultBankruptcyMWA Termination Events: IllegalityTax EventTEUMCEUMATE 5 Events of Default: FTPDBreachCSDMisrepDUSSCross DefaultBankruptcyMWA Termination Events: IllegalityTax EventTEUMCEUM
Early Termination 6 Early Termination: ET right on EODET right on TEEffect of DesignationCalculations; Payment DatePayments on ETSet-off 6 Early Termination: ET right on EODET right on TEEffect of DesignationCalculationsPayments on ETSet-off 6 Early Termination: ET right on EODET right on TEEffect of DesignationCalculationsPayments on ET
Transfer 7 7 7
Contractual Currency 8 8 8
Miscellaneous 9 9 9
Offices; Multibranch Parties 10 10 10
Expenses 11 11 11
Notices 12 12 12
Governing Law 13 13 13
Definitions 14 14 14
Schedule Schedule Schedule Schedule
Termination Provisions Part 1 Part 1 Part 1
Tax Representations Part 2 Part 2 Part 2
Documents for Delivery Part 3 Part 3 Part 3
Miscellaneous Part 4 Part 4 Part 4
Other Provisions Part 5 Part 5 Part 5

Resources and Navigation

Index: Click to expand:

Comparisons

Neither the 1987 ISDA not the 1992 ISDA has a specific set-off provision, although the 1992 manages to define Set-off anyway.

ISDA published a suggested set-off provision in the 1992 User’s Guide, but no-one liked it, and before long several home-made versions were percolating around the market. These often permitted set-off between the Innocent Party’s Affiliates and the non-performing party.

ISDA’s crack drafting squad™ got the hint and implemented a fully-fledged set-off provision based on this language into the 2002 ISDA — but not without a little boo-boo. As to which, read on —

Basics

One does not exercise a set-off right willy nilly. Unless one is, mutually, settlement netting (where on a given day I owe you a sum, you owe me a sum, and we agree to settle by one of us paying the other the difference) set-off is a drastic remedy which will be seen as enemy action. You would not do it, without agreement, to any client you expected to keep. So, generally, use set-off as a remedy it only arises following an event of default.

A bit of a bish in the 2002 ISDA

Set-off in the 2002 ISDA borrows from the text used to build it into the 1992 ISDA but still contains a rather elementary fluff-up: it imagines a world like our own, but where the Early Termination Amount is payable one way, while all Other Amounts are only payable the other. Life, as any fule kno, is not always quite that convenient.

For example:

Payer owes Payee an Early Termination Amount of 10
Payee owes Payer Other Amounts of 50


Net: Payee owes Payer 40.

But what if there are Other Amounts payable the same way as the Early Termination Amount?

Payer owes Payee an Early Termination Amount of 10
Payer owes Payee Other Amounts of 40
Payee owes Payer Other Amounts of 50


Net: Payee owes Payer 40.
Whoops: Payee is still owed 40 by Payer so is an unsecured creditor '

Not ideal. But fixable if you’re prepared to add some dramatically anal language:

6(f) Set-Off. Any Early Termination Amount (or any other amounts, whether or not arising under this Agreement, matured, contingent and irrespective of the currency, place of payment of booking of the obligation)” payable to one party (the “Payee”) by the other party (the “Payer”), ...

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See also

References