0000950123-11-101837.txt : 20111202 0000950123-11-101837.hdr.sgml : 20111202 20111202172804 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-11-101837 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: SC 13D PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 FILED AS OF DATE: 20111202 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20111202 GROUP MEMBERS: FIR TREE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND, L.P. GROUP MEMBERS: FIR TREE INC. GROUP MEMBERS: FIR TREE VALUE MASTER FUND, L.P. SUBJECT COMPANY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHINACAST EDUCATION CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001261888 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-EDUCATIONAL SERVICES [8200] IRS NUMBER: 200178991 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 005-79765 FILM NUMBER: 111241389 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: SUITE 08, 20/F, ONE INTL FINANCE CENTRE STREET 2: 1 HARBOUR VIEW STREET CITY: CENTRAL, STATE: K3 ZIP: 00000 BUSINESS PHONE: (852) 3960 6506 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: SUITE 08, 20/F, ONE INTL FINANCE CENTRE STREET 2: 1 HARBOUR VIEW STREET CITY: CENTRAL, STATE: K3 ZIP: 00000 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: GREAT WALL ACQUISITION CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20030829 FILED BY: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: FIR TREE INC. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001056491 IRS NUMBER: 133745261 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: SC 13D BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 505 FIFTH AVENUE STREET 2: 23RD FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10017 BUSINESS PHONE: 2123983500 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 505 FIFTH AVENUE STREET 2: 23RD FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10017 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: FIR TREE INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19990510 SC 13D 1 c25548sc13d.htm SCHEDULE 13D Schedule 13D

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No.      )*

ChinaCast Education Corporation
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, par value $0.0001
(Title of Class of Securities)
16946T109
(CUSIP Number)
Brian Meyer
Fir Tree Inc.
505 Fifth Avenue
23rd Floor
New York, New York 10017
Tel. No.: (212) 599-0090
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)
— with a copy to —
Jeffrey C. Cohen
Linklaters LLP
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
December 2, 2011
(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of §§240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box. þ

Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See Rule 13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person’s initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

 
 


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
16946T109 
 

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

Fir Tree Inc.
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

  (a)   o 
  (b)   o 
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  WC
     
5   CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)
   
  o
     
6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  New York
       
  7   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0
       
SHARES 8   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   6,452,423
       
EACH 9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0
       
WITH 10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    6,452,423
     
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  6,452,423
     
12   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  o
     
13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
   
  13.2%
     
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  CO

Page 2 of 8 Pages


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
16946T109 
 

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

Fir Tree Value Master Fund, L.P.
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

  (a)   o 
  (b)   o 
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  WC
     
5   CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)
   
  o
     
6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Cayman Islands
       
  7   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0
       
SHARES 8   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   5,422,241
       
EACH 9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0
       
WITH 10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    5,422,241
     
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  5,422,241
     
12   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  o
     
13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
   
  11.1%
     
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  PN

Page 3 of 8 Pages


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
16946T109 
 

 

           
1   NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS

Fir Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, L.P.
     
     
2   CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)

  (a)   o 
  (b)   o 
     
3   SEC USE ONLY
   
   
     
4   SOURCE OF FUNDS (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  WC
     
5   CHECK IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) OR 2(e)
   
  o
     
6   CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
   
  Cayman Islands
       
  7   SOLE VOTING POWER
     
NUMBER OF   0
       
SHARES 8   SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY    
OWNED BY   1,030,182
       
EACH 9   SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING    
PERSON   0
       
WITH 10   SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
     
    1,030,182
     
11   AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
   
  1,030,182
     
12   CHECK IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  o
     
13   PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
   
  2.1%
     
14   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON (SEE INSTRUCTIONS)
   
  PN
Note to Schedule 13D:
This Schedule 13D is being filed by Fir Tree Inc. (“Fir Tree”) on behalf of Fir Tree Value Master Fund, L.P. (“Fir Tree Value”) and Fir Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, L.P. (“Fir Tree Capital”) (Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital are collectively referred to hereinafter as the “Reporting Persons”). Fir Tree is the investment manager to Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital, and has the authority to cause them to purchase securities issued by ChinaCast Education Corporation (the “Issuer”) and to exercise any and all voting right associated with such securities.
The filing of this statement on Schedule 13D shall not be construed as an admission that Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value or Fir Tree Capital is for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the beneficial owner of any of the 6,452,423 shares of Common Stock owned by Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital. Pursuant to Rule 13d-4, Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital disclaim all such beneficial ownership.

Page 4 of 8 Pages


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
16946T109 
 
Item 1. Security and Issuer.
Securities acquired:

Common stock, par value $0.0001.

Issuer:
ChinaCast Education Corporation
Suite 08, 20/F
One International Financial Centre
1 Harbour View Street
Pudong District
Central, Hong Kong
Item 2. Identity and Background.
(a) and (b), Name of Person Filing, Address of Principal Place of Business and Principal Office, and Place of Organization:
Fir Tree Inc.
505 Fifth Avenue
23rd Floor
New York, New York 10017
A New York corporation
Fir Tree Value Master Fund, L.P.
c/o Citco Fund Services (Cayman Islands) Limited
89 Nexus Way
Camana Bay
P.O. Box 31106
Grand Cayman KY1-1205, Cayman Islands
A Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership
Fir Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, L.P.
c/o Citco Fund Services (Cayman Islands) Limited
89 Nexus Way
Camana Bay
P.O. Box 31106
Grand Cayman KY1-1205, Cayman Islands
A Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership
(c) Principal occupation or employment: Fir Tree provides investment management services to private individuals and institutions and its principal business is investment management. The principal business of Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital is investing in securities.
(d) Conviction in criminal proceedings: None of Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value or Fir Tree Capital has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).
(e) Civil proceedings: None of Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value or Fir Tree Capital has, during the last five years, been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, Federal or State securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
Information regarding each executive officer and director of Fir Tree and the general partner of Fir Tree Value and the general partner of Fir Tree Capital are set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.
As of December 31, 2010, Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital beneficially owned 6,031,556 shares of Common Stock, 5,001,374 shares of Common Stock and 1,030,182 shares of Common Stock, respectively.
Fir Tree Value acquired 220,767 additional shares of Common Stock at a price of $6.14 on March 21, 2011, 100,100 additional shares of Common Stock at a price of $6.15 on March 29, 2011 and 100,000 additional shares of Common Stock at a price of $5.82 on May 25, 2011.
The above amounts include any commissions incurred in making the investments. Currently, all of the shares of the Common Stock of the Issuer held by the Reporting Persons as of the date of this Schedule 13D are held by Fir Tree Value or Fir Tree Capital. All of the shares of the Common Stock of the Issuer held by Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital have been acquired using the working capital of Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital.
The filing of this statement on Schedule 13D shall not be construed as an admission that Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value or Fir Tree Capital is for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the beneficial owner of any of the 6,452,423 shares of Common Stock owned by Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital. Pursuant to Rule 13d-4, Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital disclaim all such beneficial ownership.

 

Page 5 of 8 Pages


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
16946T109 
 
Item 4. Purpose of the Transaction.
The Reporting Persons purchased the Common Stock, including the shares acquired pursuant to the Letter Agreement, for investment purposes based on the belief that such securities, when purchased, were undervalued and represented an attractive investment opportunity.
Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, so long as Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital hold at least 10% in the aggregate of the outstanding Common Stock, (i) the Issuer will cause one person designated by Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital to be elected or appointed to the Issuer’s board of directors and to have additional persons designated by Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital elected or appointed to the Issuer board if the number of directors comprising the board of directors increases beyond seven persons (any directors nominated by the Reporting Persons, “Reporting Person Designee”), (ii) the Issuer will appoint a Reporting Person Designee to serve on the compensation committee of the board of directors, (iii) the Issuer will not increase the number of directors appointed to the compensation committee beyond three unless the number of Reporting Person Nominees appointed to the compensation committee is increased proportionally and (iv) the Issuer will use best efforts to cause the re-appointment of a Reporting Person Designee when such person’s term expires. The Reporting Persons may participate in and influence the affairs of the Issuer through the exercise of their voting rights with respect to the shares of Common Stock owned by the Reporting Persons and through the exercise of their right under the terms of the Letter Agreement to nominate director(s) to serve on the Issuer’s board of directors and to be appointed to serve on the board of directors’ compensation committee. The summary of certain rights of Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital pursuant to the Letter Agreement described in this Item 4 is qualified in the entirety by the Letter Agreement set forth in Exhibit 2 and incorporated in this Item 4 by reference.
Although the Reporting Persons have no specific plan or proposal to acquire additional shares or dispose of shares of Common Stock, consistent with their investment purpose, the Reporting Persons at any time and from time to time may acquire additional shares of Common Stock or dispose of any or all of their shares of Common Stock depending upon an ongoing evaluation of the investment in the Common Stock, prevailing market conditions, the Issuer’s financial condition, business, operations and prospects, other investment opportunities, liquidity requirements of the Reporting Persons and/or other investment considerations.
Also, consistent with the investment purpose, the Reporting Persons may engage in communications with one or more shareholders of the Issuer, one or more officers of the Issuer and/or one or more members of the board of directors of the Issuer and/or one or more representatives of the Issuer regarding the Issuer, including but not limited to its operations, the nomination of directors to the board of directors, the appointment of directors to the compensation committee and the composition of the board of directors. The Reporting Persons may discuss ideas that, if effected, may result in any of the following: the acquisition by persons of additional shares of Common Stock or the disposition of shares of Common Stock held by the Reporting Person or other persons, an extraordinary corporate transaction involving the Issuer and/or changes in the board of directors or management of the Issuer.
Except to the extent the foregoing may be deemed a plan or proposal, the Reporting Persons have no plans or proposals which relate to, or could result in, any of the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) through (j), inclusive, of the instructions to Item 4 of Schedule 13D. The Reporting Persons may, at any time and from time to time, review or reconsider their position and/or change their purpose and/or formulate plans or proposals with respect thereto and carry out any of the actions or transactions described in paragraphs (a) through (j) of Item 4 of the instructions to this 13D, to the extent deemed advisable by the Reporting Persons.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.
(a) As of December 2, 2011, Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital beneficially own 6,452,423 shares of Common Stock, 5,422,241 shares of Common Stock and 1,030,182 shares of Common Stock, respectively, representing 13.2%, 11.1% and 2.1%, respectively, of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Collectively, the Reporting Persons beneficially own 6,452,423 shares of Common Stock, which represents 13.2% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding. Such percentage of beneficial ownership of the Reporting Persons was calculated by dividing (i) the respective shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value, and Fir Tree Capital as of December 2, 2011 (as set forth in the prior sentence) by (ii) 49,020,291 shares of Common Stock (which was the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of November 6, 2011, as reported in the Issuer’s Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2011.
To the knowledge of the Reporting Persons, the executive officers and directors of Fir Tree, the general partner of Fir Tree Value and the general partner of Fir Tree Capital have no beneficial ownership of Common Stock separate from the beneficial ownership held by the Reporting Persons.
(b) Fir Tree, as the investment manager of Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital, has the shared power to vote and dispose of the 6,452,423 shares of Common Stock held collectively by Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital. Fir Tree Value has the power to vote and dispose of the 5,422,241 shares of Common Stock it owns. Fir Tree Capital has the power to vote and dispose of the 1,030,182 shares of Common Stock it owns.
To the knowledge of the Reporting Persons, the executive officers and directors of Fir Tree, the general partner of Fir Tree Value and the general partner of Fir Tree Capital have no sole power to vote or to direct the vote, sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition, nor shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of the Common Stock separate from the shares held by the Reporting Persons.
The filing of this statement on Schedule 13D shall not be construed as an admission that Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value or Fir Tree Capital is for the purposes of Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the beneficial owner of any of the 6,452,423 shares of Common Stock owned by Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital. Pursuant to Rule 13d-4, Fir Tree, Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital disclaim all such beneficial ownership.
(c) The Reporting Persons have not engaged in any transactions in the Issuer’s securities during the sixty days prior to the obligation to file this Schedule 13D.
(d) Not Applicable.
(e) Not Applicable.

 

Page 6 of 8 Pages


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
16946T109 
 
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.
On June 27, 2008, Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital entered into the Letter Agreement with the Issuer, which contains certain provisions relating to Fir Tree Value’s and Fir Tree Capital’s acquisition of additional shares of Common Stock and exercise of outstanding warrants of the Issuer and the right of Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital to designate director(s) and member(s) of the compensation committee as discussed in Item 4. The Letter Agreement also contains a provision whereby the Issuer agrees to grant registration rights with respect to the Common Stock held by Fir Tree Value and Fir Tree Capital. The foregoing summary of the Letter Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the Letter Agreement, which is set forth in Exhibit 2, and incorporated in this Item 6 by reference.
Item 7. Materials to be Filed as Exhibits.
     
Exhibit 1  
Information regarding the Instruction C persons.
   
 
Exhibit 2  
Letter dated June 27, 2008 among ChinaCast Education Corporation, Fir Tree Value Master Fund, L.P. and Fir Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, L.P.
   
 
Exhibit 3  
Joint Filing Agreement.

 

Page 7 of 8 Pages


 

                     
CUSIP No.
 
16946T109 
 
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, the undersigned certifies that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
         
Dated: December 2, 2011  FIR TREE INC.
 
 
  By:   /s/ James Walker    
    Name:   James Walker    
    Title:   Managing Director   
 
  FIR TREE VALUE MASTER FUND, L.P.

By: FIR TREE INC., its Manager
 
 
  By:   /s/ James Walker    
    Name:   James Walker   
    Title:   Managing Director   
 
  FIR TREE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND, L.P.

By: FIR TREE INC., its Manager
 
 
  By:   /s/ James Walker    
    Name:   James Walker    
    Title:   Managing Director   

 

Page 8 of 8 Pages

EX-99.1 2 c25548exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 1 Exhibit 1
Exhibit 1
INFORMATION REGARDING THE INSTRUCTION C PERSONS
The following sets forth the name, position, address, principal occupation, and citizenship of each director and executive officer of the applicable Reporting Persons and the name, state of organization, principal business, and address of the principal place of business and principal office of each general partner of the applicable Reporting Persons C (such executive officers, directors, and general partners, the “Instruction C Persons”). To the best of the Reporting Persons’ knowledge, (i) none of the Instruction C Persons during the last five years has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or other similar misdemeanors) or been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws and (ii) none of the Instruction C Persons owns any shares of Common Stock.
FIR TREE INC.
Directors and Officers:
                 
                Citizenship/Place of
Name   Position   Address   Principal Occupation   Organization
Jeffrey Tannenbaum
  Director/President   505 Fifth Avenue
23rd Floor
New York, NY 10017
  President of Fir Tree Inc.   United States
James Walker
  Managing Director   505 Fifth Avenue
23rd Floor
New York, NY 10017
  Managing Director of Fir Tree Inc.   United States
FIR TREE VALUE MASTER FUND, L.P.
Fir Tree, L.L.C., the General Partner of Fir Tree Value Master Fund, L.P., is a Delaware limited liability company. Its principal business is acting as the general partner of Fir Tree Value Master Fund, L.P. Its principal place of business and principal office is located at 51 Bedford Road, Suites 3&4, Katonah, New York 10536.
FIR TREE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND, L.P.
Camellia Partners, LLC, the General Partner of Fir Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, L.P., is a Delaware limited liability company. Its principal business is acting as the general partner of Fir Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, L.P. Its principal places of business and principal offices are located at 51 Bedford Road, Suites 3&4, Katonah, New York 10536, and 7301 SW 57th Court, Suite 410, South Miami, Florida 33143.

 

 

EX-99.2 3 c25548exv99w2.htm EXHIBIT 2 Exhibit 2
Exhibit 2
June 27, 2008
Mr. David Salanic
Fir Tree Inc.
Dear Mr. Salanic:
This letter agreement between Fir Tree Value Master Fund, L.P. and Fir Tree Capital Opportunity Master Fund, L.P. (collectively, the “Warrantholder”) and ChinaCast Education Corporation (the “Company”) sets forth the understanding between the parties in connection with the exercise by the Warrantholder of 3,007,200 warrants (the “Warrants”) currently held by the Warrantholder.
Pursuant to Section 3.1 of the Warrant Agreement dated on or about March 17, 2004 (the “Warrant Agreement”), the Company hereby agrees to reduce the Warrant Price (as defined in the Warrant Agreement) for the Warrantholder from $5.00 per share to $4.25 per share. In connection with this reduction of the Warrant Price, the Warrantholder hereby elects to exercise all of the Warrants, and to purchase the shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants (the “Warrant Shares”).
Further, pursuant to Section 3.3.1 of the Warrant Agreement, in connection with the exercise of the Warrants, upon exercise hereof, the Warrantholder shall execute the attached Subscription Form and submit it to the Warrant Agent and shall pay, in full to the Company, the Warrant Price, as hereby reduced, in cash, certified check or wire transfer, for each share of Common Stock as to which the Warrant is exercised.
In further consideration for the Warrantholder exercising the Warrants in full and in consideration for the value of the Warrants, upon such exercise and payment in full of the Warrant Price, the Company hereby agrees to the following:
(a) The Company shall issue to the Warrantholder 459,925 shares of Common Stock (the “Additional Shares”), which was determined by the following formula:
Warrants exercised by the Warrantholder x 0.65
$4.25

 

 


 

(b) Reasonably promptly following receipt of a written request from the Warrantholder, the Company shall cause one person designated by the Warrantholder (the “Warrantholder Designee”) to be elected or appointed to the board of directors of the Company, subject to such Warrantholder Designee being a person that the Company’s board of directors reasonably determines meets applicable legal, regulatory and governance requirements and who at all times complies with the policies and procedures of the Company that are applicable to all of its directors (a “Suitable Person”), and shall cause the Warrantholder Designee to be appointed to serve on the compensation committee of the board of directors. Until such time as the Warrantholder ceases to own at least 10% of the outstanding Common Stock (the “Trigger Event”), the Company shall:
(i) not increase the number of directors comprising its board of directors beyond seven persons unless it increases the number of Warrantholder Designees proportionately in a ratio of 1 to 5 (rounded to the nearest whole number) (for example, if the number of directors is increased to 8, the number of Warrantholder Designees would increase to 2 and if the number of directors is increased to 13, the number of Warrantholder Designees would increase to 3)
(ii) use best efforts to cause the re-election of the Warrantholder Designee at each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders at which such person’s term expires;
(iii) not increase the number of directors appointed to the compensation committee beyond three persons unless it increases the number of Warrantholder Designees appointed to such committee proportionately; and
(iv) use best efforts to cause the re-appointment of a Warrantholder Designee when such person’s term expires.
If the Warrantholder Designee shall cease to serve as a director or on the compensation committee for any reason the Company’s board of directors will use its reasonable efforts to take all action required to fill the vacancy resulting therefrom with a person designated by the Warrantholder, subject to any such replacement designee being a Suitable Person. From and after the occurrence of the Trigger Event, the Warrantholder shall, if requested by the Company’s board of directors, use its reasonable efforts to cause the Warrantholder Designee then serving on the board of directors and/or the compensation committee to offer his or her resignation from the board of directors and/or the compensation committee as soon as reasonably practicable and shall take all such other action necessary, or reasonably requested by the Company, to cause the prompt removal of such person from the board of directors and/or the compensation committee.
(c) Within 15 days following the date hereof, the Company shall execute and deliver to the Warrantholder a registration rights agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Warrantholder and the Company, pursuant to which the Company will provide certain registration rights covering all of the shares (however acquired) of Common Stock owned by the Warrantholder or its affiliated funds, substantially similar to the registration rights provided under the Company’s Registration Rights Agreement dated on or about March 17, 2004.
The Warrantholder represents that it is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). The Warrantholder represents that the Additional Shares are purchased for its own account, for investment and not for distribution except pursuant to an effective registration statement or a transfer exempt from registration under the Act.

 

2


 

The Warrantholder consents to the placement of a legend on any certificate or other document evidencing the Additional Shares stating that they have not been registered under the Act and setting forth or referring to the restrictions on transferability and sale thereof. Each certificate evidencing the Additional Shares shall bear the legends set forth below, or legends substantially equivalent thereto, together with any other legends that may be required by federal or state securities laws at the time of the issuance of the Additional Shares:
THE SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL (I) REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR (II) (A) THE ISSUER OF THE SHARES (THE “ISSUER”) HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER THAT SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT AND (B) THE TRANSFEREE IS REASONABLY ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER.
Unless otherwise set forth herein, all terms shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Warrant Agreement.
Except as expressly set forth in this letter agreement, all of the terms of the Warrant Agreement shall remain unchanged and in full force and effect.
The parties expressly agree that all the terms and provisions hereof shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the internal laws of the State of New York.
This letter agreement may be signed in counterparts, which may be delivered by facsimile or other electronic transmission (which delivery shall not affect the validity of such counterparts).
Very truly yours,
CHINACAST EDUCATION CORPORATION
             
By:   /s/ Ron Chan    
         
 
  Name:   Ron Chan    
 
  Title:   CEO    
 
           
Accepted and agreed to as of the date first above written:    
 
           
FIR TREE VALUE MASTER FUND, L.P.    
 
           
By:   /s/ Brian Meyer    
         
 
  Name:   Brian Meyer    
 
  Title:   Authorized Person    
 
           
FIR TREE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND, L.P.    
 
           
By:   /s/ Brian Meyer    
         
 
  Name:   Brian Meyer    
 
  Title:   Authorized Person    

 

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SUBSCRIPTION FORM
To Be Executed by the Registered Holder in Order to Exercise Warrants
The undersigned Registered Holder irrevocably elects to exercise           Warrants represented by this Warrant Certificate, and to purchase the shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of such Warrants, and requests that Certificates for such shares shall be issued in the name of
 
(PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME AND ADDRESS)
 
 
 
(SOCIAL SECURITY OR TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
         
and be delivered to
       
 
(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS)
 
and, if such number of Warrants shall not be all the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate, that a new Warrant Certificate for the balance of such Warrants be registered in the name of, and delivered to, the Registered Holder at the address stated below:
         
Dated:                     
 
 
(SIGNATURE)
   
 
       
 
 
 
(ADDRESS)
   
 
       
 
 
 
   
 
       
 
 
 
(TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
   

 

 

EX-99.3 4 c25548exv99w3.htm EXHIBIT 3 Exhibit 3
Exhibit 3
JOINT FILING AGREEMENT
In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the undersigned agree to the joint filing on behalf of each of them of a Statement on Schedule 13D (including any and all amendments thereto) with respect to the Common Stock of ChinaCast Education Corporation and further agree that this Joint Filing Agreement shall be included as an Exhibit to such joint filings.
The undersigned further agree that each party hereto is responsible for the timely filing of such Statement on Schedule 13D and any amendments thereto, and for the accuracy and completeness of the information concerning such party contained therein; provided, however, that no party is responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information concerning any other party, unless such party knows or has reason to believe that such information is inaccurate. This Joint Filing Agreement may be signed in counterparts with the same effect as if the signature on each counterpart were upon the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of December 2, 2011.
                 
    FIR TREE INC.    
 
               
    By:   /s/ James Walker    
             
 
      Name:   James Walker    
 
      Title:   Managing Director    
 
               
    FIR TREE VALUE MASTER FUND, L.P.    
 
               
    By: FIR TREE INC., its Manager    
 
               
    By:   /s/ James Walker    
             
 
      Name:   James Walker    
 
      Title:   Managing Director    
 
               
    FIR TREE CAPITAL OPPORTUNITY MASTER FUND, L.P.    
 
               
    By: FIR TREE INC., its Manager    
 
               
    By:   /s/ James Walker    
             
 
      Name:   James Walker    
 
      Title:   Managing Director