EX-5.1 6 d69158dex51.htm EX-5.1 EX-5.1

EXHIBIT 5.1

 

 

SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP

ONE MANHATTAN WEST

NEW YORK, NY 10001-8602

_______

 

TEL: (212) 735-3000

FAX: (212) 735-2000

www.skadden.com

  

 

FIRM/AFFILIATE

OFFICES

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BOSTON

CHICAGO

HOUSTON

LOS ANGELES

PALO ALTO

WASHINGTON, D.C.

WILMINGTON

_____

 

BEIJING

BRUSSELS

FRANKFURT

HONG KONG

LONDON

MOSCOW

MUNICH

PARIS

SÃO PAULO

SEOUL

SHANGHAI

SINGAPORE

TOKYO

TORONTO

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  November 18, 2020
 
 
 
 

Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. III

317 University Ave, Suite 200

Palo Alto, California 94301

 

  RE:

Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. III –

      

Registration Statement on Form S-4

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special United States counsel to Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp. III, a Cayman Islands company limited by shares (the “Company”), in connection with the Registration Statement (as defined below), relating to, among other things, (i) each of the mergers of (x) Asclepius Merger Sub Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), with and into Clover Health Investments, Corp., a Delaware corporation (“Clover”), with Clover surviving the merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the “First Merger”), and (y) Clover with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the merger (together with the First Merger, the “Mergers”), in each case, pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 5, 2020, by and among the Company, Merger Sub and Clover (the “Merger Agreement”), and (ii) as a condition to the effectiveness of the Mergers, the proposal of the Company to change its jurisdiction of incorporation by deregistering as an exempted company in the Cayman Islands and domesticating as a Delaware corporation pursuant to Section 388 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Domestication”), subject to the approval thereof by the shareholders of the Company.

Prior to and as a condition of the Mergers, in connection with the Domestication, the Company will change its jurisdiction of incorporation by effecting a deregistration under the Cayman Islands Companies Law and a domestication under Section 388 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) and, in connection therewith, the Company will file the Certificate of Domestication (as defined below) simultaneously with the Certificate of Incorporation (as defined below),

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November 18, 2020

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in each case, in respect of the Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “DE Secretary of State”). In this opinion, we refer to the Company following effectiveness of the Domestication and/or the Mergers, as applicable, as “Clover Health.” Upon the Certificate of Domestication and the Certificate of Incorporation becoming effective under Section 103 of the DGCL (the “Effective Time”), among other things, pursuant to the Plan of Domestication (as defined below): (i) each of the then issued and outstanding Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A ordinary shares”), of the Company will convert automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Clover Health Class A Common Stock”), of Clover Health; (ii) each of the then issued and outstanding redeemable warrants of the Company (the “Company Warrants”) will convert automatically into a redeemable warrant to acquire one share of Clover Health Class A Common Stock (a “Clover Health Warrant”); and (iii) each of the then issued and outstanding units of the Company (the “Company Units”) that has not been previously separated into the underlying Class A ordinary share and underlying Company Warrant upon the request of the holder thereof, will be cancelled and will entitle the holder thereof to one share of Clover Health Class A Common Stock and one-third of one Clover Health Warrant.

As a result of and upon the closing of the Mergers (the “Closing”), among other things, (i) all outstanding shares of Clover common stock as of immediately prior to the effective time of the First Merger, will be cancelled in exchange for the right to receive, at the election of the holders thereof (except with respect to the shares held by certain stockholders of Clover who will receive only shares Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of Clover Health (“Clover Health Class B Common Stock”)), an amount in cash, shares of Clover Health Class B Common Stock, or a combination thereof, as adjusted in accordance with the Merger Agreement, and (ii) all shares of Clover common stock reserved in respect of options to purchase shares of Clover common stock, restricted stock units based on shares of Clover common stock and restricted shares of Clover common stock, in all cases outstanding as of immediately prior to the effective time of the First Merger, will be converted, based on the Exchange Ratio (as defined in the Merger Agreement), into awards based on shares of Clover Health Class B Common Stock, as determined pursuant to Section 3.3 of the Merger Agreement, which will, in the case of all shares described in clauses (i) and (ii) hereof, in the aggregate equal an aggregate merger consideration of $3,500,000,000, as determined pursuant to Sections 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 of the Merger Agreement (the “Clover Health Merger Shares”).

This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K of the General Rules and Regulations (the “Rules and Regulations”) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”).

In rendering the opinions stated herein, we have examined and relied upon the following:

(a)    the registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-249558) of the Company relating to (i) 82,800,000 shares of Clover Health Class A Common Stock, (ii) 358,248,460 shares of Clover Health Class B Common Stock and (iii) 27,599,952 Clover Health Warrants (the securities referred to in clauses (i)-(iii), collectively, the “Clover Health Securities”), to be issued in the Domestication or the Mergers, as applicable, filed on October 20, 2020 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act and Amendment No. 1 thereto (such registration statement, as amended, being hereinafter referred to as the “Registration Statement”);

(b)    a copy of the Merger Agreement, filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registration Statement;

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(c)    the form of Certificate of Incorporation of Clover Health to become effective as of the Effective Time, filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement (the “Certificate of Incorporation”);

(d)    the form of By-Laws of Clover Health to become effective as of the Effective Time, filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Registration Statement (the “By-Laws”);

(e)    the form of Certificate of Corporate Domestication to become effective as of the Effective Time, filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement (the “Certificate of Domestication”);

(f)    an executed copy of the Plan of Domestication, filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Registration Statement (the “Plan of Domestication”);

(g)    the specimen Class A Common Stock Certificate of Clover Health, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement (the “Class A Stock Certificate”);

(h)    the specimen Class B Common Stock Certificate of Clover Health, filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement (the “Class B Stock Certificate”);

(i)    the form of Warrant Certificate (included in the Warrant Agreement (defined below)) (the “Warrant Certificate”);

(j)    an executed copy of the Warrant Agreement, dated April 21, 2020, by and between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company (“CST”), as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agreement”); and

We have also examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records of the Company and such agreements, certificates and receipts of public officials, certificates of officers or other representatives of the Company and others, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions stated below.

In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, including electronic signatures, the legal capacity and competency of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as facsimile, electronic, certified or photocopied copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts relevant to the opinions stated herein that we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others and of public officials.

As used herein, “Transaction Documents” means the Merger Agreement, the Plan of Domestication, the Warrant Certificate and the Warrant Agreement.

We do not express any opinion with respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than (i) the laws of the State of New York and (ii) the DGCL (all of the foregoing being referred to as “Opined-on Law”). The opinions stated in paragraphs 1 through 4 below presume that:

1.    Prior to effecting the Domestication: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), will have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) the shareholders of the Company will have approved, among other things, the Merger Agreement and the Domestication, including the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws; and (iii) all other necessary

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action will have been taken under the applicable laws of the Cayman Islands to authorize, approve and permit the Domestication, and any and all consents, approvals and authorizations from applicable Cayman Islands and other governmental and regulatory authorities required to authorize and permit the Domestication will have been obtained;

2.    The Certificate of Domestication, in the form attached as Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement, without alteration or amendment (other than identifying the appropriate date), will be duly authorized and executed and thereafter be duly filed with the DE Secretary of State in accordance with Sections 103 and 388 of the DGCL, that no other certificate or document, other than the Certificate of Incorporation, has been, or prior to the filing of the Certificate of Domestication will be, filed by or in respect of the Company with the DE Secretary of State and that the Company will pay any fees and other charges required to be paid in connection with the filing of the Certificate of Domestication;

3.    The Certificate of Incorporation, in the form filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement, without alteration or amendment (other than identifying the appropriate date), will be duly authorized and executed and thereafter be duly filed with the DE Secretary of State and have become effective in accordance with Sections 103 and 388 of the DGCL, that no other certificate or document, other than the Certificate of Domestication, has been, or prior to the filing of the Certificate of Incorporation will be, filed by or in respect of the Company with the DE Secretary of State and that the Company will pay any fees and other charges required to be paid in connection with the filing of the Certificate of Incorporation;

4.    The By-Laws, in the form attached as Exhibit 3.3 to the Registration Statement, without alteration or amendment (other than identifying the appropriate date), will become effective upon the Effective Time; and

5.    Prior to the issuance of Clover Health Merger Shares: (i) the Registration Statement, as finally amended (including all necessary post-effective amendments), will have become effective under the Securities Act; (ii) the shareholders of the Company will have approved, among other things, the Merger Agreement and the Domestication, including the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws; and (iii) the Domestication and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement to be consummated concurrent with or prior to the Mergers will have been consummated.

Based upon the foregoing and subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.    Upon the Effective Time, pursuant to the Plan of Domestication, each issued and outstanding Class A ordinary share will convert automatically into one share of Clover Health Class A Common Stock that will have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of Clover Health under the DGCL and that will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

2.    Upon the Effective Time, pursuant to the Plan of Domestication, each issued and outstanding Company Warrant will convert automatically into one Clover Health Warrant that will have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of Clover Health under the DGCL and will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms under the laws of the State of New York.

3.    Upon the Effective Time, pursuant to the Plan of Domestication, each issued and outstanding Company Unit that has not been previously separated into the underlying Class A ordinary

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share and underlying Company Warrant upon the request of the holder thereof, will be cancelled and will entitle the holder thereof to one share of Clover Health Class A Common Stock that will have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of Clover Health under the DGCL and will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, and one-third of one Clover Health Warrant that will have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of Clover Health under the DGCL and will constitute the valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms under the laws of the State of New York.

4.    The Clover Health Merger Shares, when issued in the manner and on the terms described in the Registration Statement and the Merger Agreement, will have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action on the part of Clover Health under the DGCL and will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

The opinions stated herein are subject to the following qualifications:

(a)    we do not express any opinion with respect to the effect on the opinions stated herein of any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer, preference and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, and the opinions stated herein are limited by such laws and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law);

(b)    we do not express any opinion with respect to any law, rule or regulation that is applicable to any party to any Transaction Document or the transactions contemplated thereby solely because such law, rule or regulation is part of a regulatory regime applicable to any such party or any of its affiliates as a result of the specific assets or business operations of such party or such affiliates;

(c)    we do not express any opinion with respect to the enforceability of any provision contained in any Transaction Document relating to any indemnification, contribution, non-reliance, exculpation, release, limitation or exclusion of remedies, waiver or other provisions having similar effect that may be contrary to public policy or violative of federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, or to the extent any such provision purports to, or has the effect of, waiving or altering any statute of limitations;

(d)    we call to your attention that irrespective of the agreement of the parties to any Transaction Document, a court may decline to hear a case on grounds of forum non conveniens or other doctrine limiting the availability of such court as a forum for resolution of disputes; in addition, we call to your attention that we do not express any opinion with respect to the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal courts of the United States of America in any action arising out of or relating to any Transaction Document;

(e)    we have assumed that CST has the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations under the Warrant Agreement and have also assumed due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the execution and delivery by CST of the Warrant Agreement and that the Warrant Agreement constitutes the valid and binding obligation of CST, enforceable against CST in accordance with its terms;

(f)    except to the extent expressly stated in the opinions contained herein, we have assumed that each of the Transaction Documents constitutes the valid and binding obligation of each party to such Transaction Document, enforceable against such party in accordance with its terms; and

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(g)    to the extent that any opinion relates to the enforceability of the choice of New York law and choice of New York forum provisions contained in any Transaction Document, the opinions stated herein are subject to the qualification that such enforceability may be subject to, in each case, (i) the exceptions and limitations in New York General Obligations Law sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 and (ii) principles of comity and constitutionality.

In addition, in rendering the foregoing opinions we have assumed that, at all applicable times:

(a)    the Company (i) is, and as of October 18, 2019 was, duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing, (ii) has and as of October 18, 2019, had requisite legal status and legal capacity under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and (iii) has complied and will comply with all aspects of the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization in connection with the Merger Agreement and the Domestication and the transactions contemplated by, and the performance of its obligations under, the Transaction Documents;

(b)    the Company has, and as of October 18, 2019, had the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform all its obligations under each of the Transaction Documents;

(c)    each of the Transaction Documents has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by all requisite corporate action on the part of the Company, subject to approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Domestication by the Company’s shareholders;

(d)    none of (i) the execution and delivery by the Company or Clover Health of the Transaction Documents, (ii) the performance by the Company or Clover Health of their respective obligations thereunder (including the issuance of the Clover Health Securities) or (iii) consummation of the Mergers or the Domestication: (i) conflicted or will conflict with the Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association or other comparable organizational documents of the Company or Clover Health, (ii) constituted or will constitute a violation of, or a default under, any lease, indenture, instrument or other agreement to which the Company or Clover Health or their respective property is subject, (iii) contravened or will contravene any order or decree of any governmental authority to which the Company or Clover Health or their respective property is subject, or (iv) violated or will violate any law, rule or regulation to which the Company or Clover Health or their respective property is subject (except that we do not make the assumption set forth in this clause (iv) with respect to the Opined-on Law); and

(e)    none of (i) the execution and delivery by the Company or Clover Health of the Transaction Documents, (ii) the performance by the Company or Clover Health of their respective obligations thereunder (including the issuance of the Clover Health Securities) or (iii) consummation of the Mergers or the Domestication, required or will require the consent, approval, licensing or authorization of, or any filing, recording or registration with, any governmental authority under any law, rule or regulation of any jurisdiction.

We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the Rules and Regulations. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof unless otherwise expressly stated, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes in the facts stated or assumed herein or of any subsequent changes in applicable laws.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP