No consequential loss - GMSLA Provision: Difference between revisions

From The Jolly Contrarian
Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 3: Line 3:


that is the general position. Specifically under the GMSLA [[consequential loss]] is expressly excluded because they are, by nature, speculative, indeterminate and not [[reasonably foreseeable]] in the context of a stock lending arrangement. By nature, parties to a [[stock loan]] do not have in mind the potential profits each other could make with the securities or collateral transferred under the loan: No {{gmslaprov|Lender}} expects to underwrite the value of the Borrower’s lost opportunity to short if it fails to settle a {{gmslaprov|Loan}}. Each {{gmslaprov|Loan}} is designed to be easily cancellable at will by either party. There are specific self-help remedies for settlement failures (e.g.,{{gmslaprov|Buy-In}}s). It is hard to see how there could be any expectation that consequential losses would be available for breach, and it helps for the {{gmsla}} to make that explicit. It reflects the industry expectation, and takes away the temptation, sore for many [[Mediocre lawyer|underoccupied lawyers]], to argue that for some special reason — and here one should never underestimate the boundless imagination (or paranoia) of an underoccupied lawyer, particularly during the contract [[negotiation]] phase, to confabulate hypothetical special reasons<ref>I have seen it argued that a counterparty’s “fraud or wilful misconduct” is such a reason. But why? For what reason would ''why'' a contract is breached matter to the measure of damages for that breach?</ref> — that consequential loss might be appropriate in some cases.
that is the general position. Specifically under the GMSLA [[consequential loss]] is expressly excluded because they are, by nature, speculative, indeterminate and not [[reasonably foreseeable]] in the context of a stock lending arrangement. By nature, parties to a [[stock loan]] do not have in mind the potential profits each other could make with the securities or collateral transferred under the loan: No {{gmslaprov|Lender}} expects to underwrite the value of the Borrower’s lost opportunity to short if it fails to settle a {{gmslaprov|Loan}}. Each {{gmslaprov|Loan}} is designed to be easily cancellable at will by either party. There are specific self-help remedies for settlement failures (e.g.,{{gmslaprov|Buy-In}}s). It is hard to see how there could be any expectation that consequential losses would be available for breach, and it helps for the {{gmsla}} to make that explicit. It reflects the industry expectation, and takes away the temptation, sore for many [[Mediocre lawyer|underoccupied lawyers]], to argue that for some special reason — and here one should never underestimate the boundless imagination (or paranoia) of an underoccupied lawyer, particularly during the contract [[negotiation]] phase, to confabulate hypothetical special reasons<ref>I have seen it argued that a counterparty’s “fraud or wilful misconduct” is such a reason. But why? For what reason would ''why'' a contract is breached matter to the measure of damages for that breach?</ref> — that consequential loss might be appropriate in some cases.
===Subject to Paragraphs {{gmslaprov|9}} and {{gmslaprov|11}}===
But what of the cagey [[caveat]] about Paragraph {{gmslaprov|9}} (''{{gmslaprov|Failure to Deliver}}'') and Paragraph {{gmslaprov|11}} (''{{gmslaprov|Consequences of Event of Default}}'')? Search me. There is no obvious exception to the exclusion of [[consequential loss]] in paragraph {{gmslaprov|9}}, which talks about {{gmslaprov|Buy-In}}s and other self-help remedies which militate pretty hard ''against'' consequential damages. Likewise, Paragraph {{gmslaprov|11}} goes to some lengths to articuilate anbd itemise the termination amount calculations, and there is nothing in there that talks about loss of opportunities — see Paragraph {{gmslaprov|11.3}} in particular.
{{sa}}
{{sa}}
*[[Consequential loss]]
*[[Consequential loss]]
*[[Breach of contract]]
*[[Breach of contract]]
{{ref}}
{{ref}}

Revision as of 12:28, 5 September 2019

GMSLA Anatomy™


In a Nutshell Clause 10.4:

10.4 Subject to the Failure to Deliver and Consequences of an Event of Default clauses, neither Party may claim consequential losses if the other Party breaches this Agreement.
view template

2010 GMSLA full text of Clause 10.4:

10.4 Subject to paragraphs 9 and 11, neither Party may claim any sum by way of consequential loss or damage in the event of failure by the other Party to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement.
view template

2010 GMSLA: Full wikitext · Nutshell wikitext | GMLSA legal code | GMSLA Netting

Pledge GMSLA: Hard copy (ISLA) · Full wikitext · Nutshell wikitext |
1995 OSLA: OSLA wikitext | OSLA in a nutshell | GMSLA/PGMSLA/OSLA clause comparison table
From Our Friends On The Internet: Guide to equity finance | ISLA’s guide to securities lending for regulators and policy makers

Navigation
2010 GMSLA 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · Schedule · Agency Annex · Addendum for Pooled Principal Agency Loans

2018 Pledge GMSLA 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 23 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 28 · Schedule · Agency Annex

Stock lending agreement comparison: Includes navigation for the 2000 GMSLA and the 1995 OSLA

Index: Click to expand:
Tell me more
Sign up for our newsletter — or just get in touch: for ½ a weekly 🍺 you get to consult JC. Ask about it here.


There’s a lovely long essay about consequential loss, at the consequential loss page. Consequential losses are not generally available as a measure of damages under a contract (historically they were excluded as a rule; nowadays the common law regard it as a simple question of whether the loss was properly caused and reasonably foreseeable; losses that are consequential in nature may be forseeable, but it will only be in unusual circumstances.

that is the general position. Specifically under the GMSLA consequential loss is expressly excluded because they are, by nature, speculative, indeterminate and not reasonably foreseeable in the context of a stock lending arrangement. By nature, parties to a stock loan do not have in mind the potential profits each other could make with the securities or collateral transferred under the loan: No Lender expects to underwrite the value of the Borrower’s lost opportunity to short if it fails to settle a Loan. Each Loan is designed to be easily cancellable at will by either party. There are specific self-help remedies for settlement failures (e.g.,Buy-Ins). It is hard to see how there could be any expectation that consequential losses would be available for breach, and it helps for the 2010 GMSLA to make that explicit. It reflects the industry expectation, and takes away the temptation, sore for many underoccupied lawyers, to argue that for some special reason — and here one should never underestimate the boundless imagination (or paranoia) of an underoccupied lawyer, particularly during the contract negotiation phase, to confabulate hypothetical special reasons[1] — that consequential loss might be appropriate in some cases.

Subject to Paragraphs 9 and 11

But what of the cagey caveat about Paragraph 9 (Failure to Deliver) and Paragraph 11 (Consequences of Event of Default)? Search me. There is no obvious exception to the exclusion of consequential loss in paragraph 9, which talks about Buy-Ins and other self-help remedies which militate pretty hard against consequential damages. Likewise, Paragraph 11 goes to some lengths to articuilate anbd itemise the termination amount calculations, and there is nothing in there that talks about loss of opportunities — see Paragraph 11.3 in particular.


See also

References

  1. I have seen it argued that a counterparty’s “fraud or wilful misconduct” is such a reason. But why? For what reason would why a contract is breached matter to the measure of damages for that breach?