TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Aug. 3, 2015) - Silver Bullion Trust ("SBT") (TSX:SBT.UN) (C$) and (TSX:SBT.U) (US$) today announced that the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) (the "Court") issued its decision in connection with the application commenced by SBT and Central GoldTrust against Sprott Asset Management Silver Bid LP, Sprott Asset Management Gold Bid LP, Sprott Asset Management LP, Sprott Physical Silver Trust and Sprott Physical Gold Trust (collectively, "Sprott").
In a decision released on July 31, 2015, the Court agreed with SBT that Sprott's May 27, 2015 hostile take-over bid for Units of SBT (the "Sprott Offer") deprives SBT Unitholders of their statutory take-over bid withdrawal rights. The Court also found that the Powers of Attorney that tendering Unitholders are required to grant to Sprott pursuant to the Letters of Transmittal under the Sprott Offer were so broad that they went beyond approving the Merger Transaction and the redemption of the Units, and in doing so contravened the Securities Act (Ontario). The Court ordered that Sprott must remedy these defects before the Sprott Offer can proceed.
The Court also held, in response to a complaint from Sprott, that the previously announced amendments to SBT's Declaration of Trust concerning the enhanced 95% cash redemption feature and the preservation of the 90% compulsory acquisition threshold were invalid. While SBT disagrees with this determination, the Court left open that these amendments could be implemented if the Sprott Offer is defeated or with the support of Unitholders. The Trustees of SBT strongly believe that Unitholders should not be deprived of the benefits of the amendments as a result of a self-interested complaint from Sprott, and currently intend to implement these amendments as soon as reasonably practicable following the failure of the Sprott Offer. Finally, the Court determined that it did not need to address other allegations made by Sprott and dismissed other complaints by SBT about the legality of the Sprott Offer.
SBT is considering what additional steps, if any, to take arising from the Court's decision.
In the meantime, Unitholders are urged to TAKE NO ACTION and DO NOT TENDER their Units to the Sprott Offer and WITHDRAW their Units if already tendered.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
The Board of Trustees of SBT continue to recommend that Unitholders REJECT the Sprott Offer, TAKE NO ACTION and NOT TENDER their Units to the Sprott Offer. The recommendation is contained in the Trustees' Circular, which has been filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Unitholders are urged to read the Trustees' Circular and other relevant materials because they contain important information. The Trustees' Circular and other filings made by SBT with Canadian securities regulatory authorities may be obtained without charge at http://www.sedar.com and at the investor relations section of the SBT website at http://silverbulliontrust.com/Filings%20and%20News.htm.
Unitholders who have already tendered their Units to the Sprott Offer can withdraw their Units by contacting their broker or D.F. King & Co., North America Toll-Free at 1-800-398-2816; or via email at inquiries@dfking.com.
About Silver Bullion Trust
Silver Bullion Trust (established on July 9, 2009) is a passive, self-governing, single purpose trust, which invests primarily in long-term holdings of silver bullion and does not speculate in silver prices. At July 31, 2015, the Units were 100% invested in unencumbered, allocated and physically segregated silver bullion. Units may be purchased or sold on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Statements"), including those related to: the intention of the Trustees of SBT to amend the Declaration of Trust to implement the enhanced 95% cash redemption feature and the preservation of the 90% compulsory acquisition threshold as soon as reasonably practicable following the failure of the Sprott Offer; SBT's consideration of what additional steps, if any, to take arising from the Court's decision; the reasons of the Board of Trustees for recommending to Unitholders the rejection of the Sprott Offer, not taking any action with respect to the Sprott Offer and not tendering any Units to the Sprott Offer; the anticipated costs, risks and uncertainties associated with the Sprott Offer, including any anticipated impacts on bullion security, governance rights, potential tax risks and fees to be collected by Sprott; the anticipated timing, mechanics, completion and settlement of the Sprott Offer; the value of the Sprott Physical Silver Trust units that would be received as consideration under the Sprott Offer; the ability of Sprott to complete the transactions contemplated by the Sprott Offer; any anticipated results or performance of Sprott Physical Silver Trust or any other affiliates of Sprott; any anticipated changes to the market price of Sprott Physical Silver Trust units or any other securities of Sprott and its affiliates; and any anticipated future prices of silver and the Units.
SBT cautions investors about important factors that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed, implied or projected in such Forward-Looking Statements. Such Forward-Looking Statements involve projections, estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such Forward-Looking Statements or otherwise be materially inaccurate. No assurance can be given that these projections, estimates, expectations or assumptions will prove to be correct and any Forward-Looking Statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These Forward-Looking Statements speak only as to SBT's beliefs, views, expectations and opinions as of the date of this press release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, SBT does not intend and does not assume any obligations to update or revise these Forward-Looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In addition, this press release may contain Forward-Looking Statements drawn from or attributed to third party sources. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those risks detailed in SBT's filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities.
Contact Information:
North America Toll-Free: 1-800-398-2816
inquiries@dfking.com