Notices - ISDA Provision

Who would have thought a notices provision would be so controversial? Especially the question "what is an electronic messaging system"? No-one, it is humbly submitted, until Andrews, J. of the Chancery decision was invited to opine on Greenclose v National Westminster Bank plc, the kind of "little old lady" case that makes bad law. The learned judge does nothing to dispel the assumption that lawyers are technological luddites who would apply Tip-Ex to their VDUs if they didn't have someone to do their typing for them (and if they knew what a VDU was).

For there it was held that “email” is not an “electronic messaging system” and, as such, was an invalid means for serving a close-out notice under the 1992 ISDA.

Read in depth about that case here.

In gory detail

1992 ISDA 12. Notices 12(a) Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner set forth below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by facsimile transmission or electronic messaging system) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:— (i) if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered; (ii) if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received; (iii) if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date that transmission is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine); (iv) if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date that mail is delivered or its delivery is attempted; or (v) if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date that electronic message is received, unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication shall be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day. 12(b) Change of Addresses. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it. (view template)

2002 ISDA 12. Notices 12(a) Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner described below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by electronic messaging system or e-mail) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system or e-mail details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:― (i) if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered; (ii) if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received; (iii) if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date it is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine); (iv) if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date it is delivered or its delivery is attempted; (v) if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date it is received; or (vi) if sent by e-mail, on the date it is delivered, unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication will be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day. 12(b) Change of Details. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system or e-mail details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it. (view template)

Commentary

Note that the 1995 CSA subjects its notice provisions to this provision (see Paragraph 9(c) and 11(g).