UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 16, 2020
GULFSLOPE ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 000-51638 | 16-1689008 | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employee Identification No.) |
1331 Lamar St., Suite 1665
Houston, Texas 77010
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (281) 918-4100
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
| ☐ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ☐ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ☐ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common stock, par value $0.001 per share | GSPE | OTC QB |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On April 16, 2020, GulfSlope Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a promissory note (the “Note”) evidencing an unsecured $100,300 loan under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP Loan”). The Paycheck Protection Program was established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) and is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The PPP Loan is being made through Zions Bancorporation, N.A. dba Amegy Bank (the “Lender”).
The PPP Loan is scheduled to mature on April 16, 2022 and has a 1.00% interest rate. No payments are due on the PPP Loan until November 16, 2020, although interest will continue to accrue during the deferment period. Beginning November 16, 2020, the Company will pay 18 equal monthly installments of principal and interest in the amount necessary to fully amortize the PPP Loan through the maturity date. Under the terms of the CARES Act, all or a portion of the PPP Loan may be forgiven. Such forgiveness will be determined, subject to limitations, based on the use of loan proceeds for payroll costs and mortgage interest, rent or utility costs. No assurance is provided that the Company will obtain forgiveness of the PPP Loan in whole or in part.
The Note contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, or provisions of the Note. The occurrence of an event of default may result in the repayment of all amounts outstanding, collection of all amounts owing from the Company, and/or filing suit and obtaining judgment against the Company. Additionally, the Note is subject to the terms and conditions applicable to loans administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the CARES Act.
The foregoing description of the Note is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Note, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report and is incorporated by reference herein..
| Item 9.01 | Financial Statements and Exhibits.
|
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description | |||
| 10.1 | U.S. Small Business Administration Note dated as of April 16, 2020, by GulfSlope Energy, Inc. in favor of Zions Bancorporation, N.A, dba Amegy Bank as lender. | |||
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date: April 24, 2020
| GULFSLOPE ENERGY, INC. | ||
| /s/ John N. Seitz | ||
| Name: | John N. Seitz | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Exhibit 10.1
PROMISSORY NOTE
Principal $100,300.00 |
Loan Date 04-16-2020 |
Maturity 04-16-2022 |
CL Transaction No | Product SBA Paycheck Protection |
Loan Account No |
References in the boxes above are for Lender's use only and do not limit the applicability of this document to any particular loan or item. Any item above containing "***" has been omitted due to text length limitations. | |||||
| Borrower: | GulfSlope Energy, Inc. 1331 Lamar Street, Suite 1665 Houston, TX 77010 |
Lender: | Zions Bancorporation, N.A. dba Amegy Bank Corporate Branch - SBA Business
Banking P. O. Box 27459 1717 W. Loop South Houston, TX 77227-7459 |
Principal Amount: $100,300.00 Interest Rate: 1.000% Date of Note: April 16, 2020
PROMISE TO PAY. GulfSlope Energy, Inc. ("Borrower") promises to pay to Zions Bancorporation, N.A. dba Amegy Bank ("Lender"), or order, in lawful money of the United States of America, the principal amount of One Hundred Thousand Three Hundred & 00/100 Dollars ($100,300.00), together with interest on the unpaid principal balance from April 16, 2020, calculated as described in the "INTEREST CALCULATION METHOD" paragraph using an interest rate of 1.000% per annum, until maturity. The interest rate may change under the terms and conditions of the "INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT" section.
PAYMENT. Borrower will pay this loan in 18 payments of $5,644.58 each payment. Borrower's first payment is due November 16, 2020, and all subsequent payments are due on the same day of each month after that. Borrower's final payment will be due on April 16, 2022, and will be for all principal and all accrued interest not yet paid. Payments include principal and interest. Unless otherwise agreed or required by applicable law, payments will be applied to first to any accrued unpaid interest; then to principal which is currently due; then to pay any late fees; and then to further reduce the principal balance. Borrower will pay Lender at Lender's address shown above or at such other place as Lender may designate in writing.
INITIAL DEFERMENT PERIOD. No payments are due on this loan for 6 months from the date of first disbursement of this loan. Interest will continue to accrue during the deferment period.
Loan Forgiveness. Borrower may apply to Lender for forgiveness of the amount due on this loan in an amount equal to the sum of the following costs incurred by Borrower during the 8-week period beginning on the date of first disbursement of this loan:
| a. | Payroll costs |
| b. | Any payment of interest on a covered mortgage obligation (which shall not include any prepayment of or payment of principal on a covered mortgage obligation) |
| c. | Any payment on a covered rent obligation |
| d. | Any covered utility payment |
The amount of loan forgiveness shall be calculated (and may be reduced) in accordance with the requirements of the Paycheck Protection Program, including the provisions of Section 1106 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) (P.L. 116-136). Not more than 25% of the amount forgiven can be attributable to non-payroll costs.
Maturity. This Note will mature two years from date of first disbursement of this loan.
Repayment Terms. The interest rate on this Note is one percent per year. The interest rate is fixed and will not be changed during the life of the loan.
Non-Recourse. Lender and SBA shall have no recourse against any individual shareholder, member or partner of Borrower for non-payment of the loan, except to the extent that such shareholder, member or partner uses the loan proceeds for an unauthorized purpose.
DEFAULT RATE. The Default Rate on this Agreement and the Note is equal to the lesser of (a) 18.000% per annum or (b) the maximum rate permitted by applicable law. If a default (as described in the paragraph below titled "Default") has occurred or if Borrower is in default as described below, Lender may charge interest on the Note and the Indebtedness at the Default Rate.
POST MATURITY RATE ON INSURANCE PREMIUMS. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary, the Post Maturity Rate on insurance premiums, which are amounts added to the principal balance of this Note due to Lender's payment of insurance premiums, will accrue based on the prematurity rate of this Note.
INTEREST RATE MODIFICATION. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Small Business Administration ("SBA") purchases the guaranteed portion of the unpaid principal balance of this Note, the interest rate on this Note shall be fixed at the rate in effect at the time of the earliest uncured payment default hereunder. If there is no uncured payment default, the rate shall become fixed at the rate in effect at the time of said purchase by the SBA.
INTEREST CALCULATION METHOD. Interest on this Note is computed on a 365/365 simple interest basis; that is, by applying the ratio of the interest rate over the number of days in a year (365 for all years, including leap years), multiplied by the outstanding principal balance, multiplied by the actual number of days the principal balance is outstanding. All interest payable under this Note is computed using this method.
PREPAYMENT. Borrower may pay without penalty all or a portion of the amount owed earlier than it is due. Prepayment in full shall consist of payment of the remaining unpaid principal balance together with all accrued and unpaid interest and all other amounts, costs and expenses for which Borrower is responsible under this Note or any other agreement with Lender pertaining to this loan, and in no event will Borrower ever be required to pay any unearned interest. Early payments will not, unless agreed to by Lender in writing, relieve Borrower of Borrower's obligation to continue to make payments under the payment schedule. Rather, early payments will reduce the principal balance due and may result in Borrower's making fewer payments. Borrower agrees not to send Lender payments marked "paid in full", "without recourse", or similar language. If Borrower sends such a payment, Lender may accept it without losing any of Lender's rights under this Note, and Borrower will remain obligated to pay any further amount owed to Lender. All written communications concerning disputed amounts, including any check or other payment instrument that indicates that the payment constitutes "payment in full" of the amount owed or that is tendered with other conditions or limitations or as full satisfaction of a disputed amount must be mailed or delivered to: Zions Bancorporation, N.A. dba Amegy Bank, PO Box 25822 Salt Lake City, UT 84125-0822.
LATE CHARGE. If a payment is 10 days or more late, Borrower will be charged 5.000% of the unpaid portion of the regularly scheduled
| PROMISSORY NOTE (Continued) | Page 2 |
payment.
INTEREST AFTER DEFAULT. Upon default, including failure to pay upon final maturity, the total sum due under this Note will continue to accrue interest at the interest rate under this Note.
DEFAULT. Each of the following shall constitute an event of default ("Event of Default") under this Note:
Payment Default. Borrower fails to make any payment when due under this Note.
Other Defaults. Borrower fails to comply with or to perform any other term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in this Note or in any of the related documents or to comply with or to perform any term, obligation, covenant or condition contained in any other agreement between Lender and Borrower.
Default in Favor of Third Parties. Borrower or any Grantor defaults under any loan, extension of credit, security agreement, purchase or sales agreement, or any other agreement, in favor of any other creditor or person that may materially affect any of Borrower's property or Borrower's ability to repay this Note or perform Borrower's obligations under this Note or any of the related documents.
False Statements. Any warranty, representation or statement made or furnished to Lender by Borrower or on Borrower's behalf under this Note or the related documents is false or misleading in any material respect, either now or at the time made or furnished or becomes false or misleading at any time thereafter.
Insolvency. The dissolution or termination of Borrower's existence as a going business, the insolvency of Borrower, the appointment of a receiver for any part of Borrower's property, any assignment for the benefit of creditors, any type of creditor workout, or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws by or against Borrower.
Creditor or Forfeiture Proceedings. Commencement of foreclosure or forfeiture proceedings, whether by judicial proceeding, self-help, repossession or any other method, by any creditor of Borrower or by any governmental agency against any collateral securing the loan. This includes a garnishment of any of Borrower's accounts, including deposit accounts, with Lender. However, this Event of Default shall not apply if there is a good faith dispute by Borrower as to the validity or reasonableness of the claim which is the basis of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and if Borrower gives Lender written notice of the creditor or forfeiture proceeding and deposits with Lender monies or a surety bond for the creditor or forfeiture proceeding, in an amount determined by Lender, in its sole discretion, as being an adequate reserve or bond for the dispute.
Events Affecting Guarantor. Any of the preceding events occurs with respect to any guarantor, endorser, surety, or accommodation party of any of the indebtedness or any guarantor, endorser, surety, or accommodation party dies or becomes incompetent, or revokes or disputes the validity of, or liability under, any guaranty of the indebtedness evidenced by this Note.
Change In Ownership. Any change in ownership of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the common stock of Borrower.
Adverse Change. A material adverse change occurs in Borrower's financial condition, or Lender believes the prospect of payment or performance of this Note is impaired.
Insecurity. Lender in good faith believes itself insecure.
Cure Provisions. If any default, other than a default in payment, is curable and if Borrower has not been given a notice of a breach of the same provision of this Note within the preceding twelve (12) months, it may be cured if Borrower, after Lender sends written notice to Borrower demanding cure of such default: (1) cures the default within fifteen (15) days; or (2) if the cure requires more than fifteen (15) days, immediately initiates steps which Lender deems in Lender's sole discretion to be sufficient to cure the default and thereafter continues and completes all reasonable and necessary steps sufficient to produce compliance as soon as reasonably practical.
LENDER'S RIGHTS. Upon default, Lender may declare the entire indebtedness, including the unpaid principal balance under this Note, all accrued unpaid interest, and all other amounts, costs and expenses for which Borrower is responsible under this Note or any other agreement with Lender pertaining to this loan, immediately due, without notice, and then Borrower will pay that amount.
WHEN FEDERAL LAW APPLIES. When SBA is the holder, this Note will be interpreted and enforced under federal law, including SBA regulations. Lender or SBA may use state or local procedures for filing papers, recording documents, giving notice, foreclosing liens, and other purposes. By using such procedures, SBA does not waive any federal immunity from state or local control, penalty, tax, or liability. As to this Note, Borrower may not claim or assert against SBA any local or state law to deny any obligation, defeat any claim of SBA, or preempt federal law.
ATTORNEYS' FEES; EXPENSES. Lender may hire an attorney to help collect this Note if Borrower does not pay, and Borrower will pay Lender's reasonable attorneys' fees. Borrower also will pay Lender all other amounts Lender actually incurs as court costs, lawful fees for filing, recording, releasing to any public office any instrument securing this Note; the reasonable cost actually expended for repossessing, storing, preparing for sale, and selling any security; and fees for noting a lien on or transferring a certificate of title to any motor vehicle offered as security for this Note, or premiums or identifiable charges received in connection with the sale of authorized insurance.
GOVERNING LAW. This Note will be governed by federal law applicable to Lender and, to the extent not preempted by federal law, the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflicts of law provisions. This Note has been accepted by Lender in the State of Texas.
CHOICE OF VENUE. If there is a lawsuit, and if the transaction evidenced by this Note occurred in Harris County, Borrower agrees upon Lender's request to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of Harris County, State of Texas.
RIGHT OF SETOFF. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a right of setoff in all Borrower's accounts with Lender (whether checking, savings, or some other account). This includes all accounts Borrower holds jointly with someone else and all accounts Borrower may open in the future. However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts for which setoff would be prohibited by law. Borrower authorizes Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the debt against any and all such accounts.
LOAN PREPAYMENT. Notwithstanding any provision in this Note to the contrary, Borrower may prepay this Note. Borrower may prepay twenty percent (20%) or less of the unpaid principal balance at any time without notice. If Borrower prepays more than twenty percent (20%) and the Loan has been sold on the secondary market, Borrower must: (a) give Lender written notice, (b) pay all accrued interest; and (c) if the prepayment is received less then 21 days from the date Lender receives the notice, pay an amount equal to 21 days interest from the date Lender receives the notice, less any interest accrued during the 21 days and paid under subparagraph (b) above. If Borrower does not prepay with 30 days from the date Lender receives the notice, Borrower must give Lender a new notice.
WAIVER OF CLAIMS. The undersigned hereby (i) represents that neither the undersigned nor any affiliate or principal of the undersigned has any defenses to or setoffs against any Indebtedness or other obligations owing by the undersigned, or by the undersigned’s affiliates or principals, to Lender or Lender’s affiliates (the "Obligations"), nor any claims against Lender or Lender’s affiliates for any matter whatsoever, related or unrelated to the Obligations, and (ii) releases Lender and Lender’s affiliates, officers, directors, employees and agents from all claims, causes of
| PROMISSORY NOTE (Continued) | Page 3 |
action, and costs, in law or equity, known or unknown, whether or not matured or contingent, existing as of the date hereof that the undersigned has or may have by reason of any matter of any conceivable kind or character whatsoever, related or unrelated to the Obligations, including the subject matter of this Agreement. The foregoing release does not apply, however, to claims for future performance of express contractual obligations that mature after the date hereof that are owing to the undersigned by Lender or Lender’s affiliates. As used in this paragraph, the word “undersigned” does not include Lender or any individual signing on behalf of Lender. The undersigned acknowledges that Lender has been induced to enter into or continue the Obligations by, among other things, the waivers and releases in this paragraph.
STATE SPECIFIC PROVISION. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the interest on this Note shall never exceed the maximum rate permitted by the usury laws of Texas or any pre-empting federal law, if any, applicable to this kind of loan at the time of fluctuation in said interest rate.
The undersigned hereby waives presentment, demand, protest or notice of nonpayment and intent to accelerate this Note and/or demand for payment of past due installments as a condition precedent to acceleration.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. (a) The provisions of this section shall be applicable in the event that Borrower delivers any financial statements of Borrower, Guarantor, or any other person or entity ("Financial Statements") or any other documents or information regarding Borrower or any other person or entity to Lender pursuant to this Note, collectively, the ("Financial Information") in electronic form (by "email").
(b) The Financial Information delivered in electronic form shall, for all purposes, be the same as if, and shall have the same validity, force and effect as if, such Financial Information had been delivered in paper or other tangible form. Each item of Financial Information delivered in electronic form shall be deemed to have been originally signed by Borrower for all purposes (including all purposes and interpretations of federal and state law), whether or not there is an electronic name or signature of Borrower thereon, and Borrower waives any right it may have to claim that the electronic documents are not original documents or valid documents.
(c) Borrower shall deliver Financial Information to Lender in, and only in, a format that Lender may both retain in its own records (i.e. save as a file on its own system) and print. In the event that at any time, under the electronic format then currently used by Lender, Lender is unable to save or print Financial Information delivered in electronic form, Borrower shall no longer be permitted to deliver Financial Information in electronic form.
(d) This section constitutes an agreement between the parties to conduct transactions by electronic means pursuant the Texas Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, Chapter 43, Texas Business & Commerce Code (the "Act"), and the provisions of the Act shall be applicable to the delivery of Financial Information by Borrower to Lender in electronic form.
DOCUMENT IMAGING. Lender shall be entitled, in its sole discretion, to image or make copies of all or any selection of the agreements, instruments, documents, and items and records governing, arising from or relating to any of Borrower's loans, including, without limitation, this document and the Related Documents, and Lender may destroy or archive the paper originals. The parties hereto (i) waive any right to insist or require that Lender produce paper originals, (ii) agree that such images shall be accorded the same force and effect as the paper originals, (iii) agree that Lender is entitled to use such images in lieu of destroyed or archived originals for any purpose, including as admissible evidence in any demand, presentment or other proceedings, and (iv) further agree that any executed facsimile (faxed), scanned, or other imaged copy of this document or any Related Document shall be deemed to be of the same force and effect as the original manually executed document.
ON-LINE BANKING LOAN PAYMENTS. From time to time, Lender may (but shall not be required to) permit loan payments to be made through its online banking website. Lender may impose and change limitations on making online loan payments, such as minimum or maximum payment amounts, the types of accounts from which loan payments may be made, and the types of payments that may be made online (i.e., ordinary installment payments, principal-only payments, or other types of payments). Whether online payments are permitted, and Lender's applicable terms and restrictions if such payments are permitted, will be reflected in the features available online when a user logs into the online banking website.
RIGHT OF SETOFF. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Lender reserves a right of setoff in all Borrower's accounts with Lender (whether checking, savings, or some other account). This includes all accounts borrower holds jointly with someone else and all accounts Borrower may open in the future. However, this does not include any IRA or Keogh accounts, or any trust accounts for which setoff would be prohibited by law. Borrower authorizes Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to charge or setoff all sums owing on the indebtedness against any and all such accounts, and, at Lender's option, to administratively freeze all such accounts to allow Lender to protect Lender's charge and setoff rights in this paragraph.
NOTICE OF FINAL AGREEMENT. THIS DOCUMENT AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THIS LOAN CONSTITUTE A WRITTEN LOAN AGREEMENT WHICH REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES RELATING TO THIS LOAN.
REPORTING NEGATIVE INFORMATION. We (Lender) may report information about your (Borrower's) account to credit bureaus. Late payments, missed payments, or other defaults on your account may be reflected in your credit report.
ON-LINE BANKING - ADVANCES. From time to time, Lender may (but shall not be required to) permit advances to be requested or drawn through its online banking website. Lender may impose and change limitations on online advance requests, such as minimum or maximum advance dollar amounts, and the types of accounts into which advances may be transferred. Whether online advances are permitted, and Lender's applicable terms and restrictions if such advances are permitted, will be reflected in the features available online when a user logs into the online banking website.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROVISION. This Dispute Resolution Provision contains a jury waiver, a class action waiver, and an arbitration clause (or judicial reference agreement, as applicable), set out in four Sections. READ IT CAREFULLY.
This dispute resolution provision shall supersede and replace any prior "Jury Waiver," "Judicial Reference," "Class Action Waiver," "Arbitration," "Dispute Resolution," or similar alternative dispute agreement or provision between or among the parties.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the parties acknowledge and agree that the Dispute Resolution Provision contained herein is not enforceable at any time that the SBA is the holder of the Promissory Note which evidences the Loan.
SECTION 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING ALL DISPUTES.
1.1 PRIOR DISPUTE RESOLUTION AGREEMENTS SUPERSEDED. This Dispute Resolution Provision shall supersede and replace any prior “Jury Waiver,” “Judicial Reference,” “Class Action Waiver,” “Arbitration,” “Dispute Resolution,” or similar alternative dispute agreement or provision between or among the parties.
1.2 “DISPUTE” defined. As used herein, the word “Dispute” includes, without limitation, any claim by either party against the other party related to this Agreement, any Related Document, and the Loan evidenced hereby. In addition, “Dispute” also includes any claim by either party against the other party regarding any other agreement or business relationship between any of them, whether or not related to the Loan or other subject matter of this Agreement. “Dispute” includes, but is not limited to, matters arising from or relating to a deposit account, an application
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for or denial of credit, warranties and representations made by a party, the adequacy of a party’s disclosures, enforcement of any and all of the obligations a party hereto may have to another party, compliance with applicable laws and/or regulations, performance or services provided under any agreement by a party, including without limitation disputes based on or arising from any alleged tort or matters involving the employees, officers, agents, affiliates, or assigns of a party hereto.
If a third party is a party to a Dispute (such as a credit reporting agency, merchant accepting a credit card, junior lienholder or title company), each party hereto agrees to consent to including that third party in any arbitration or judicial reference proceeding for resolving the Dispute with that party.
1.3 Jury Trial Waiver. Each party waives their respective rights to a trial before a jury in connection with any Dispute, and all Disputes shall be resolved by a judge sitting without a jury. If a court determines that this jury trial waiver is not enforceable for any reason, then at any time prior to trial of the Dispute, but not later than 30 days after entry of the order determining this provision is unenforceable, any party shall be entitled to move the court for an order, as applicable: (A) compelling arbitration and staying or dismissing such litigation pending arbitration (“Arbitration Order”) under Section 2 hereof, or (B) staying such litigation and compelling judicial reference under Section 3 hereof.
1.4 CLASS ACTION WAIVER. If permitted by applicable law, each party waives the right to litigate in court or an arbitration proceeding any Dispute as a class action, either as a member of a class or as a representative, or to act as a private attorney general.
1.5 SURVIVAL. This Dispute Resolution Provision shall survive any termination, amendment or expiration of this Agreement, or any other relationship between the parties.
SECTION 2. Arbitration IF JURY WAIVER UNENFORCEABLE (EXCEPT CALIFORNIA). If (but only if) a state or federal court located outside the state of California determines for any reason that the jury trial waiver in this Dispute Resolution Provision is not enforceable with respect to a Dispute, then any party hereto may require that said Dispute be resolved by binding arbitration pursuant to this Section 2 before a single arbitrator. An arbitrator shall have no authority to determine matters (i) regarding the validity, enforceability, meaning, or scope of this Dispute Resolution Provision, or (ii) class action claims brought by either party as a class representative on behalf of others and claims by a class representative on either party’s behalf as a class member, which matters may be determined only by a court without a jury. By agreeing to arbitrate a Dispute, each party gives up any right that party may have to a jury trial, as well as other rights that party would have in court that are not available or are more limited in arbitration, such as the rights to discovery and to appeal.
Arbitration shall be commenced by filing a petition with, and in accordance with the applicable arbitration rules of, National Arbitration Forum (“NAF”) or Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service, Inc. (“JAMS”) (“Administrator”) as selected by the initiating party. However, if the parties agree, arbitration may be commenced by appointment of a licensed attorney who is selected by the parties and who agrees to conduct the arbitration without an Administrator. If NAF and JAMS both decline to administer arbitration of the Dispute, and if the parties are unable to mutually agree upon a licensed attorney to act as arbitrator with an Administrator, then either party may file a lawsuit (in a court of appropriate venue outside the state of California) and move for an Arbitration Order. The arbitrator, howsoever appointed, shall have expertise in the subject matter of the Dispute. Venue for the arbitration proceeding shall be at a location determined by mutual agreement of the parties or, if no agreement, in the city and state where Lender or Bank is headquartered. The arbitrator shall apply the law of the state specified in the agreement giving rise to the Dispute.
After entry of an Arbitration Order, the non-moving party shall commence arbitration. The moving party shall, at its discretion, also be entitled to commence arbitration but is under no obligation to do so, and the moving party shall not in any way be adversely prejudiced by electing not to commence arbitration. The arbitrator: (i) will hear and rule on appropriate dispositive motions for judgment on the pleadings, for failure to state a claim, or for full or partial summary judgment; (ii) will render a decision and any award applying applicable law; (iii) will give effect to any limitations period in determining any Dispute or defense; (iv) shall enforce the doctrines of compulsory counterclaim, res judicata, and collateral estoppel, if applicable; (v) with regard to motions and the arbitration hearing, shall apply rules of evidence governing civil cases; and (vi) will apply the law of the state specified in the agreement giving rise to the Dispute. Filing of a petition for arbitration shall not prevent any party from (i) seeking and obtaining from a court of competent jurisdiction (notwithstanding ongoing arbitration) provisional or ancillary remedies including but not limited to injunctive relief, property preservation orders, foreclosure, eviction, attachment, replevin, garnishment, and/or the appointment of a receiver, (ii) pursuing non-judicial foreclosure, or (iii) availing itself of any self-help remedies such as setoff and repossession. The exercise of such rights shall not constitute a waiver of the right to submit any Dispute to arbitration.
Judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction except that, if the arbitration award exceeds $4,000,000, any party shall be entitled to a de novo appeal of the award before a panel of three arbitrators. To allow for such appeal, if the award (including Administrator, arbitrator, and attorney’s fees and costs) exceeds $4,000,000, the arbitrator will issue a written, reasoned decision supporting the award, including a statement of authority and its application to the Dispute. A request for de novo appeal must be filed with the arbitrator within 30 days following the date of the arbitration award; if such a request is not made within that time period, the arbitration decision shall become final and binding. On appeal, the arbitrators shall review the award de novo, meaning that they shall reach their own findings of fact and conclusions of law rather than deferring in any manner to the original arbitrator. Appeal of an arbitration award shall be pursuant to the rules of the Administrator or, if the Administrator has no such rules, then the JAMS arbitration appellate rules shall apply.
Arbitration under this provision concerns a transaction involving interstate commerce and shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act, 9
U.S.C. § 1 et seq. If the terms of this Section 2 vary from the Administrator’s rules, this Section 2 shall control.
SECTION 3. JUDICIAL REFERENCE IF JURY WAIVER UNENFORCEABLE (CALIFORNIA ONLY). If (but only if) a Dispute is filed in a state or federal court located within the state of California, and said court determines for any reason that the jury trial waiver in this Dispute Resolution Provision is not enforceable with respect to that Dispute, then any party hereto may require that Dispute be resolved by judicial reference in accordance with California Code of Civil Procedure, Sections 638, et seq., including without limitation whether the Dispute is subject to a judicial reference proceeding. By agreeing to resolve Disputes by judicial reference, each party is giving up any right that party may have to a jury trial. The referee shall be a retired judge, agreed upon by the parties, from either the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service, Inc. (JAMS). If the parties cannot agree on the referee, the party who initially selected the reference procedure shall request a panel of ten retired judges from either AAA or JAMS, and the court shall select the referee from that panel. (If AAA and JAMS are unavailable to provide this service, the court may select a referee by such other procedures as are used by that court.) The referee shall be appointed to sit with all of the powers provided by law, including the power to hear and determine any or all of the issues in the proceeding, whether of fact or of law, and to report a statement of decision. The parties agree that time is of the essence in conducting the judicial reference proceeding set forth herein. The costs of the judicial reference proceeding, including the fee for the court reporter, shall be borne equally by the parties as the costs are incurred, unless otherwise awarded by the referee. The referee shall hear all pre-trial and post-trial matters (including without limitation requests for equitable relief), prepare a statement of decision with written findings of fact and conclusions of law, and apportion costs as appropriate. The referee shall be empowered to enter equitable relief as well as legal relief, provide all temporary or provisional remedies, enter equitable orders that are binding on the parties and rule on any motion that would be authorized in a trial, including without limitation motions for summary adjudication. Only for this Section 3, “Dispute” includes matters regarding the validity, enforceability, meaning, or scope of this Section, and (ii) class action claims brought by either party as a class representative on behalf of others and claims by a class representative on either party’s behalf as a class member. Judgment upon the award shall be entered in the court in
| PROMISSORY NOTE (Continued) | Page 5 |
which such proceeding was commenced and all parties shall have full rights of appeal. This provision will not be deemed to limit or constrain Bank or Lender’s right of offset, to obtain provisional or ancillary remedies, to interplead funds in the event of a dispute, to exercise any security interest or lien Bank or Lender may hold in property or to comply with legal process involving accounts or other property held by Bank or Lender.
Nothing herein shall preclude a party from moving (prior to the court ordering judicial reference) to dismiss, stay or transfer the suit to a forum outside California on grounds that California is an improper, inconvenient or less suitable venue. If such motion is granted, this Section 3 shall not apply to any proceedings in the new forum.
This Section 3 may be invoked only with regard to Disputes filed in state or federal courts located in the State of California. In no event shall the provisions in this Section 3 diminish the force or effect of any venue selection or jurisdiction provision in this Agreement or any Related Document.
SECTION 4. Reliance. Each party (i) certifies that no one has represented to such party that the other party would not seek to enforce a jury waiver, class action waiver, arbitration provision or judicial reference provision in the event of suit, and (ii) acknowledges that it and the other party have been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, material reliance upon the mutual waivers, agreements, and certifications in the four Sections of this DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROVISION.
SUCCESSOR INTERESTS. The terms of this Note shall be binding upon Borrower, and upon Borrower's heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit of Lender and its successors and assigns.
GENERAL PROVISIONS. NOTICE: Under no circumstances (and notwithstanding any other provisions of this Note) shall the interest charged, collected, or contracted for on this Note exceed the maximum rate permitted by law. The term "maximum rate permitted by law" as used in this Note means the greater of (a) the maximum rate of interest permitted under federal or other law applicable to the indebtedness evidenced by this Note, or (b) the higher, as of the date of this Note, of the "Weekly Ceiling" or the "Quarterly Ceiling" as referred to in Sections 303.002,
303.003 and 303.006 of the Texas Finance Code. If any part of this Note cannot be enforced, this fact will not affect the rest of the Note. Borrower does not agree or intend to pay, and Lender does not agree or intend to contract for, charge, collect, take, reserve or receive (collectively referred to herein as "charge or collect"), any amount in the nature of interest or in the nature of a fee for this loan, which would in any way or event (including demand, prepayment, or acceleration) cause Lender to charge or collect more for this loan than the maximum Lender would be permitted to charge or collect by federal law or the law of the State of Texas (as applicable). Any such excess interest or unauthorized fee shall, instead of anything stated to the contrary, be applied first to reduce the principal balance of this loan, and when the principal has been paid in full, be refunded to Borrower. The right to accelerate maturity of sums due under this Note does not include the right to accelerate any interest which has not otherwise accrued on the date of such acceleration, and Lender does not intend to charge or collect any unearned interest in the event of acceleration. All sums paid or agreed to be paid to Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full term of the loan evidenced by this Note until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of the loan evidenced hereby does not exceed the applicable usury ceiling. Lender may delay or forgo enforcing any of its rights or remedies under this Note without losing them. Borrower and any other person who signs, guarantees or endorses this Note, to the extent allowed by law, waive presentment, demand for payment, notice of dishonor, notice of intent to accelerate the maturity of this Note, and notice of acceleration of the maturity of this Note. Upon any change in the terms of this Note, and unless otherwise expressly stated in writing, no party who signs this Note, whether as maker, guarantor, accommodation maker or endorser, shall be released from liability. All such parties agree that Lender may renew or extend (repeatedly and for any length of time) this loan or release any party or guarantor or collateral; or impair, fail to realize upon or perfect Lender's security interest in the collateral without the consent of or notice to anyone. All such parties also agree that Lender may modify this loan without the consent of or notice to anyone other than the party with whom the modification is made. The obligations under this Note are joint and several.
PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS NOTE, BORROWER READ AND UNDERSTOOD ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS NOTE. BORROWER AGREES TO THE TERMS OF THE NOTE.
BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF A COMPLETED COPY OF THIS PROMISSORY NOTE.
BORROWER:
GULFSLOPE ENERGY, INC.
By: __________________________