corporation in such capacity for another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) against expenses, including
attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit or proceeding through, among other things, a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors
who were not parties to the suit or proceeding, if the person:
acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation or, in some circumstances, at least not opposed to its best interests; and
in a criminal proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
Delaware corporate law permits indemnification by a corporation under similar
circumstances for expenses (including attorneys fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such persons in connection with the defense or settlement of a derivative action or suit, except that no indemnification may be made in respect of any
claim, issue or matter as to which the person is adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which the action or suit was brought determines upon application that the person is fairly and reasonably
entitled to indemnity for the expenses which the court deems to be proper. To the
extent a director, officer, employee or agent is successful in the defense of such an action, suit or proceeding, the corporation is required by Delaware corporate law to indemnify such person for reasonable expenses incurred thereby. Expenses
(including attorneys fees) incurred by such persons in defending any action, suit or proceeding may be paid in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of that person to
repay the amount if it is ultimately determined that that person is not entitled to be so indemnified. |
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However, the Singapore Companies Act allows a company to:
purchase and maintain for any
officer insurance against any liability which by law would otherwise attach to such officer in connection with any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the company;
indemnify such officer
against any liability incurred by him or her to a person other than the company except when the indemnity is against any liability (i) of the officer to pay a fine in criminal proceedings, (ii) of the officer to pay a penalty in respect of
non-compliance with any regulatory requirements, (iii) incurred by the officer in defending criminal proceedings in which he or she is convicted, (iv) incurred by the officer in defending civil proceedings brought by the company or a related company
in which judgment is given against him or her, or (v) incurred by the officer in connection with an application for relief under Section 76A(13) or Section 391 of the Singapore Companies Act in which the court refuses to grant him or her relief.
In cases where a director is sued by the company, the Singapore Companies Act gives the
court the power to relieve directors either wholly or partially from their liability for their negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust. In order for relief to be obtained, it must be shown that (i) the director acted reasonably and
honestly; and (ii) it is fair, having regard to all the circumstances of the case including those connected with such directors appointment, to excuse the director. However, Singapore case law has indicated that such relief will not be granted
to a director who has benefited as a result of his or her breach of trust. Our
constitution provides that subject to the provisions of the Singapore Companies Act and every other applicable statute for the time being in force concerning companies and affecting the company, the directors and officers are entitled to be
indemnified against costs, charges, fees and other expenses that may be incurred by such person in defending any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, which relates to anything done or omitted or
alleged |