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Financial Markets Act, 2012 (Act No. 19 of 2012)

Regulations

Financial Markets Act Regulations

Chapter VI : Central Counterparties

9. Legal basis

 

(1) To establish the legal basis of its functions, a central counterparty must have rules, policies, procedures and contracts that—
(a) are clear, understandable and consistent with relevant laws, including these Regulations;
(b) are accurate, up to date and readily available to the Authority, other supervisory authorities, clearing members and where appropriate their clients;
(c) provide certainty, with respect to the central counterparty’s—
(i) interests in, and rights to use and dispose of, collateral;
(ii) authority to transfer ownership rights or property interests; and
(iii) rights to make and receive payments,

despite the insolvency of its clearing members, clearing members’ clients, or custodian; and

(d) are binding on third parties and legally enforceable when the central counterparty is implementing its plans for recovery or orderly winding-up.

 

(2) In developing its rules, policies, procedures and contractual arrangements, a central counterparty must consider relevant regulatory principles, industry standards and market protocols and clearly indicate where such practices have been incorporated.

 

(3) If a central counterparty has a netting arrangement in place, it must be enforceable in terms of valid legal agreements.

 

(4) A central counterparty must, where applicable—
(a) analyse any foreign legal requirements applicable to the rendering of its functions;
(b) identify the extent to which those requirements are in conflict with the Act and other applicable South African legislation;
(c) develop a policy describing how conflicting provisions will be resolved in full compliance with the Act and other applicable legislation; and
(d) in cases of uncertainty, obtain a legal opinion confirming the enforceability of its policies, procedures and contracts.