JONES DAY

2727 NORTH HARWOOD STREET • DALLAS, TEXAS 75201-1515

TELEPHONE: +1.214.220.3939 • FACSIMILE: +1.214.969.5100

September 7, 2017

Capital Southwest Corporation

5400 Lyndon B Johnson Freeway, Suite 1300

Dallas, Texas 75240

Re: Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed by Capital Southwest Corporation

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Capital Southwest Corporation, a Texas corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the authorization of the possible issuance and sale from time to time by the Company of up to $500,000,000 in initial aggregate offering price of: (i) common shares, par value $0.25 per share, of the Company (the “Common Shares”) and (ii) debt securities of the Company, in one or more series (the “Debt Securities” and, together with the Common Shares, the “Securities”), in each case, as contemplated by the Registration Statement on Form N-2 to which this opinion has been filed as an exhibit (as the same may be amended from time to time, the “Registration Statement”). The Securities may be offered and sold from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”).

In connection with the opinions expressed herein, we have examined such documents, records and matters of law as we have deemed relevant or necessary for purposes of this opinion. Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.	The Common Shares, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor having a value not less than the par value therefor as the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

2.	The Debt Securities, upon receipt by the Company of such lawful consideration therefor as the Company’s Board (or an authorized committee thereof) may determine, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company.

In rendering the foregoing opinions, we have assumed that: (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto, will have become effective (and will remain effective at the time of issuance of any Securities thereunder); (ii) a prospectus supplement describing each class and/or series of Securities offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, to the extent required by applicable law and relevant rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”), will be timely filed with the Commission; (iii) the definitive terms of each class and/or series of Securities will have been established in accordance with the authorizing resolutions adopted by the Company’s Board (or an authorized committee thereof), the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, and applicable law; (iv) the Company will issue and deliver the Securities in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Security, will have been authorized and reserved for issuance, in each case within the limits of the then remaining authorized but unreserved and unissued amounts of such Securities; (v) the resolutions authorizing the Company to issue, offer and sell the Securities will have been adopted by the Company’s Board (or an authorized committee thereof) and will be in full force and effect at all times at which the Securities are offered or sold by the Company; (vi) all Securities will be issued in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and (vii) any Indenture (as defined below) will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York and will constitute a valid and binding obligation of each party thereto other than the Company.

Capital Southwest Corporation
September 7, 2017
Page 2

With respect to any Securities consisting of any series of Debt Securities, we have further assumed that: (i) an indenture with respect to such Debt Securities will have been authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the applicable trustee in a form approved by us (the “Indenture”), and the Indenture will have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939; (ii) all terms of such Debt Securities not provided for in the applicable Indenture will have been established in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture and reflected in appropriate documentation approved by us and, if applicable, executed and delivered by the Company and the applicable trustee; and (iii) such Debt Securities will be executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture.

The opinions expressed herein are limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer and fraudulent conveyance, voidable preference, moratorium or other similar laws and related regulations and judicial doctrines from time to time in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, and by general equitable principles and public policy considerations, whether such principles and considerations are considered in a proceeding at law or at equity.

As to facts material to the opinions and assumptions expressed herein, we have relied upon oral or written statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others. The opinions expressed herein are limited to the laws of the State of Texas and the laws of the State of New York, in each case as currently in effect, and we express no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to Jones Day under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus constituting a part of such Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are included in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

	Very truly yours,

	/s/ Jones Day