Master-feeder arrangements under the UCITS Directive

Part

COLL Collective Investment Schemes

Chapter

Master-feeder arrangements under the UCITS Directive

Printed on: 06/11/2024

Rulebook at: 01/07/2012

COLL 11

Master-feeder arrangements under the UCITS Directive

COLL 11.1

Introduction

01/07/2011

Application

COLL 11.1.1

This chapter applies to:

(1) an authorised fund manager of an AUT or an ICVC;

(2) any other director of an ICVC;

(3) an ICVC; and

(4) a trustee of an AUT or a depositary of an ICVC;

where such AUT or ICVC is a UCITS scheme that is a feeder UCITS or a master UCITS in accordance with COLL 11.1.2 R (Table of application).

01/07/2011

Table of application

COLL 11.1.2

This table belongs to COLL 11.1.1 R

Reference

ICVC

ACD

Any other directors of an ICVC

Manager

Trustee of an AUT or depositary of an ICVC

11.1.1R

11.1.3G

11.2.1G

11.2.2R

11.3.1R

11.3.2R

11.3.3G

11.3.4G

11.3.5R

11.3.6R

11.3.7R

11.3.8R

11.3.9R

11.3.10G

11.3.11R

11.3.12R

11.3.13R

11.3.14G

11.4.1R

11.4.2R

11.4.3R

11.4.4G

11.4.5G

11.5.6R

11.6.1G

11.6.2R

11.6.3R

11.6.4R

11.6.5R

11.6.6R

11.6.7R

11.6.8G

11.6.9R

11.6.10R

11.6.11G

11.6.12R

11.6.13R

11 Annex 1R

11 Annex 2R

Note 1: "x" means "applies", but not every paragraph in every provision referred to will necessarily apply.

Note 2: COLL 11.5 (with the exception of COLL 11.5.6 R) applies to auditors.

01/07/2011

Purpose

COLL 11.1.3

(1) This chapter sets out:

(a) the notification requirements for a UCITS scheme to be approved as a feeder UCITS under section 283A (Master-feeder structures) of the Act; and

(b) the requirements which apply to a feeder UCITS where its master UCITS is wound up, merges with another UCITS or is divided into one or more UCITS.

(2) This chapter also ensures there is a flow of information and documents between a feeder UCITS and its master UCITS. In particular, it allows the authorised fund manager, depositary and auditor of a feeder UCITS to obtain all information and documents necessary to perform their functions.

(3) COLL 11.5 (Auditors) also imposes requirements on auditors of a master UCITS and a feeder UCITS.

(4) In this section references to:

(a) a UCITS scheme, a feeder UCITS, a master UCITS, or EEA UCITS scheme include the sub-fund of any such scheme and references to winding up a scheme are to be read as also applying to the termination of a sub-fund; and

(b) the management company of an EEA UCITS scheme are to the operator of the scheme.

01/07/2011

COLL 11.2

Approval of a feeder UCITS

01/07/2011

Explanation

COLL 11.2.1

(1) Section 283A(1) (Master-feeder structures) of the Act, in implementation of article 59(1) of the UCITS Directive, provides that the operator of a UCITS scheme may not invest a higher proportion of scheme property in units of another UCITS than is permitted by rules made by the FSA implementing article 55 of the UCITS Directive, unless the investment is approved by the FSA in accordance with that section.

(2) The FSA has implemented article 55(1) of the UCITS Directive in COLL 5.2.11 R (9), which provides that not more than 20% in value of a scheme is to consist of the units of any one collective investment scheme.

01/07/2011

Application for approval of an investment in a master UCITS

COLL 11.2.2

(1) An application for approval of an investment in a master UCITS under section 283A of the Act must be accompanied by the following documents:

(a) the instrument constituting the scheme of the feeder UCITS and of the master UCITS;

(b) the prospectus and the key investor information referred to in COLL 4.7.2 R (Key investor information) of the feeder UCITS and of the master UCITS;

(c) the master-feeder agreement or the internal conduct of business rules in accordance with COLL 11.3.2R (2) (Master-feeder agreement and internal conduct of business rules);

(d) where applicable, the information to be provided to unitholders in accordance with COLL 4.8.3 R (Information to be provided to unitholders);

(e) if the master UCITS and the feeder UCITS have different depositaries, the information-sharing agreement in accordance with COLL 11.4.1R (2) (Information-sharing agreement between depositaries); and

(f) if the master UCITS and the feeder UCITS have different auditors, the information-sharing agreement in accordance with COLL 11.5.1 R (Information-sharing agreement between auditors).

(2) Where the master UCITS is an EEA UCITS scheme, the application for approval must also be accompanied by an attestation by the master UCITS's Home State regulator that the master UCITS:

(a) is an EEA UCITS scheme or a sub-fund of it; and

(b) fulfils the conditions set out in article 58(3)(b) and (c) of the UCITS Directive.

(3) The documents referred to in (1) and (2) must be provided in English.

[Note: article 59(3) of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

COLL 11.3

Co-ordination and information exchange for master and feeder UCITS

01/07/2011

Authorised fund manager of a master UCITS: provision of documentation

COLL 11.3.1

The authorised fund manager of a UCITS scheme that is a master UCITS must provide the management company of its feeder UCITS with all documents and information necessary for the latter to meet its regulatory obligations under the UCITS Directive.

[Note: article 60(1) first paragraph first sentence of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

Master-feeder agreement and internal conduct of business rules

COLL 11.3.2

(1) The authorised fund manager of a UCITS scheme that is a feeder UCITS must enter into a master-feeder agreement which, at a minimum, complies with COLL 11 Annex 1 R.

(2) Where a master UCITS and a feeder UCITS are managed by the same management company, the master-feeder agreement may be replaced by internal conduct of business rules which, at a minimum, comply with COLL 11 Annex 2 R.

(3) The authorised fund manager of a feeder UCITS must not invest in units of the master UCITS in excess of the limit applicable under COLL 5.2.11 R (9) (Spread: general) (20%) until the period of 30 calendar days referred to in COLL 4.8.3 R (1) (Information to be provided to unitholders) has elapsed and the following have become effective:

(a) the master-feeder agreement, or, if applicable under (2), the internal conduct of business rules;

(b) the information-sharing agreement of the depositaries in accordance with COLL 11.4.1R (2) (Information-sharing agreement between depositaries); and

(c) the information-sharing agreement of the auditors in accordance with COLL 11.5.1 R (Information-sharing agreement between auditors).

(4) An authorised fund manager of a feeder UCITS must make a copy of the master-feeder agreement or, where applicable, the internal conduct of business rules, available to unitholders free of charge on their request.

[Note: article 60(1) first paragraph last sentence, second and third paragraphs, article 61(1) second paragraph, article 62(1) second paragraph and article 64 third paragraph of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

COLL 11.3.3

Where an authorised fund manager of a feeder UCITS enters into a master-feeder agreement or, if applicable, internal conduct of business rules, with the management company of an EEA UCITS scheme, references in COLL 11 Annex 1 R and COLL 11 Annex 2 R to COLL rules implementing provisions in the UCITS Directive which are the responsibility of the EEA UCITS scheme's Home State regulator should be read as referring to the corresponding provisions in the laws and regulations of that EEA State.

01/07/2011

COLL 11.3.4

In relation to the requirements in COLL 11 Annex 1 R(3) and Annex 2R(2), where the dealing arrangements between a master UCITS and a feeder UCITS do not differ from those applying to all non-feeder UCITS unitholders of the master UCITS, the master-feeder agreement or the internal conduct of business rules do not have to replicate those standard dealing arrangements, but may cross-refer to the relevant parts of the prospectus of the master UCITS.

[Note: recital (8) to the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Law applicable to the master-feeder agreement

COLL 11.3.5

(1) Where the feeder UCITS and the master UCITS are UCITS schemes, the master-feeder agreement must provide that the law of a specified part of the United Kingdom applies to the agreement and that both parties agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that part of the United Kingdom.

(2) Where the feeder UCITS and the master UCITS are established in different EEA States, the master-feeder agreement must provide that the applicable law shall be either:

(a) the law of the EEA State in which the feeder UCITS is established; or

(b) the law of the EEA State in which the master UCITS is established;

and that both parties agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the EEA State whose law they have stipulated to be applicable to the agreement.

[Note: article 14 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Avoidance of opportunities for market timing

COLL 11.3.6

(1) The authorised fund managers of a master UCITS and its feeder UCITS must take appropriate measures to co-ordinate the timing of their net asset value calculation and publication, including the publication of dealing prices, in order to avoid market timing in their units, preventing arbitrage opportunities.
(2) Where either the master UCITS or feeder UCITS is an EEA UCITS scheme managed by an EEA UCITS management company, the authorised fund manager must co-ordinate with that management company.

[Note: article 60(2) of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

Obligations of the feeder UCITS

COLL 11.3.7

(1) An authorised fund manager of a feeder UCITS must monitor effectively the activity of the master UCITS.

(2) In performing this obligation, the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS may rely on information and documents received from the master UCITS, or where applicable, the master UCITS'management company, depositary or auditor, unless there is a reason for doubting their accuracy.

[Note: article 65(1) of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

Inducements

COLL 11.3.8

Where, in connection with an investment in the units of the master UCITS, a distribution fee, commission or other monetary benefit is received by:

(1) a feeder UCITS; or

(2) an authorised fund manager of a feeder UCITS; or

(3) any person acting on behalf of (1) or (2);

that fee, commission or other monetary benefit must be paid into the scheme property of the feeder UCITS.

[Note: article 65(2) of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

Obligations of the master UCITS

COLL 11.3.9

The authorised fund manager of a master UCITS must immediately inform the FSA of the identity of each feeder UCITS which invests in its units.

[Note: article 66(1) first sentence of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

COLL 11.3.10

Where the FSA is informed in accordance with COLL 11.3.9 R that a feeder UCITS which is an EEA UCITS scheme has invested in units of the master UCITS, section 261A (Information for home state regulator) of the Act and regulation 29A (Information for home state regulator) of the OEIC Regulations require the FSA to inform the Home State regulator of the feeder UCITS immediately.

[Note: article 66(1) second sentence of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

COLL 11.3.11

(1) An authorised fund manager of a master UCITS must not impose any preliminary charge or redemption charge on the feeder UCITS for the issue, sale, redemption or cancellation of units in the master UCITS.

(2) Where the authorised fund manager of a master UCITS requires any addition to or deduction from the consideration paid on the acquisition or disposal of units by a feeder UCITS which is, or is like, a dilution levy made in accordance with COLL 6.3.8 R (Dilution) or SDRT provision made in accordance with COLL 6.3.7 R (SDRT provision), it is to be treated as part of the price of the units and not as part of any charge.

[Note: article 66(2) of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

COLL 11.3.12

An authorised fund manager of a master UCITS must ensure the timely availability of all information that is required in accordance with its obligations under the regulatory system, the general law and the instrument constituting the scheme, to:

(1) the feeder UCITS (or where applicable its management company);

(2) the competent authority of the feeder UCITS;

(3) the depositary of the feeder UCITS; and

(4) the auditor of the feeder UCITS.

[Note: article 66(3) of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

Obligations to unitholders of a master UCITS

COLL 11.3.13

The authorised fund manager of a UCITS scheme that operates, or intends to operate, as a master UCITS must:

(1) not enter into a master-feeder agreement or, where applicable, internal conduct of business rules in accordance with COLL 11.3.2R (2) unless it is satisfied on reasonable grounds that the arrangements with the feeder UCITS will not unfairly prejudice the interests of any other unitholder or class of unitholders in the master UCITS;

(2) consider, in relation to:

(a) each item of information it makes available to the feeder UCITS or its management company; and

(b) each matter notified by the depositary of the master UCITS in accordance with COLL 11.4.3 R (Notification of irregularities);

whether it would unfairly prejudice the interests of those unitholders in the master UCITS other than the feeder UCITS by not making that information available to them, or by not informing them of that matter at the same time in an appropriate manner; and

(3) in relation to any matter within (2)(b) where it does not notify other unitholders at the same time:

(a) record the grounds for determining that the interests of those unitholders are not unfairly prejudiced by its decision; and

(b) inform all unitholders of that matter in an appropriate manner and timescale.

01/07/2011

COLL 11.3.14

(1) The appropriate manner and timescale of notification referred to in COLL 11.3.13R (2) and (3)(b) will depend on the nature and significance of the matter. Consequently, the authorised fund manager will need to assess each matter individually.

(2) An appropriate manner of notification could include sending an immediate notification to the unitholders, or arranging for the information to be published on one or more websites where it is reasonable likely to be seen by investors.

(3) Where COLL 11.3.13R (3)(b) applies, it might be appropriate to include the information in the next long report of the scheme.

01/07/2011

COLL 11.4

Depositaries

01/07/2011

Information-sharing agreement between depositaries

COLL 11.4.1

(1) An authorised fund manager of a feeder UCITS is responsible for communicating to the depositary of the scheme any information about the master UCITS which is required for the completion of the depositary's regulatory obligations.

(2) Where a master UCITS and its feeder UCITS have different depositaries, the depositaries must enter into an information-sharing agreement in order to ensure fulfilment of their respective duties.

[Note: article 61(1) first and fourth paragraphs of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

Contents of the information-sharing agreement between depositaries

COLL 11.4.2

(1) The information-sharing agreement referred to in COLL 11.4.1R (2) must include:

(a) identification of the documents and categories of information which are to be routinely shared between both depositaries, and whether that information or those documents are provided by one depositary to the other or made available on request;

(b) the manner and timing, including any applicable deadlines, of the transmission of information by the depositary of the master UCITS to the depositary of the feeder UCITS;

(c) the co-ordination of the involvement of both depositaries, to the extent appropriate in view of their respective duties under national law, in relation to operational matters, including:

(i) the procedure for calculating the net asset value of each scheme, including any measures appropriate to protect against the activities of market timing in accordance with COLL 11.3.6 R (Avoidance of opportunities for market timing);

(ii) the processing of instructions by the feeder UCITS to purchase, subscribe or request the repurchase or redemption of units in the master UCITS, and the settlement of those transactions, including any arrangement to transfer assets in kind;

(d) the co-ordination of accounting year-end procedures;

(e) what details the depositary of the master UCITS must provide to the depositary of the feeder UCITS of breaches by the master UCITS of the law and the instrument constituting the scheme and how and when those details will be provided;

(f) the procedure for handling ad hoc requests for assistance from one depositary to the other; and

(g) identification of particular contingent events which ought to be notified by one depositary to the other on an ad hoc basis, and how and when this will be done.

(2) Where a master-feeder agreement exists in accordance with COLL 11.3.2R (1) (Master-feeder agreement and internal conduct of business rules), the information-sharing agreement between the depositaries must provide that:

(a) the law of the EEA State applying to the master-feeder agreement will also apply to the information-sharing agreement; and

(b) both depositaries agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that EEA State.

(3) Where the master-feeder agreement has been replaced by internal conduct of business rules in accordance with COLL 11.3.2R (2) (Master-feeder agreement and internal conduct of business rules), the information-sharing agreement between the depositaries must provide that:

(a) the law applying to the information-sharing agreement shall be either that of the EEA State in which the feeder UCITS is established or, where different, that of the EEA State in which the master UCITS is established; and

(b) both depositaries agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the EEA State whose law is applicable to the information-sharing agreement.

[Note: articles 24 and 25 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Notification of irregularities

COLL 11.4.3

(1) Where a depositary of a master UCITS detects any irregularities with regards to the scheme which may have a negative impact on the relevant feeder UCITS, the depositary must immediately inform:

(a) the FSA ;

(b) the feeder UCITS or, where applicable, its management company; and

(2) The irregularities referred to in (1) include, but are not limited to:

(a) errors in the valuation of the scheme property performed in accordance with COLL 6.3.3 R (Valuation);

(b) errors in transactions for or settlement of the sale, issue, repurchase or redemption of units in the scheme undertaken by the feeder UCITS;

(c) errors in the payment or capitalisation of income arising from the scheme property, or in the calculation of any related withholding tax;

(d) breaches of the investment objectives, policy or strategy of the scheme as described in the instrument constituting the scheme, the prospectus or the key investor information; and

(e) breaches of investment and borrowing limits set out in COLL, the instrument constituting the scheme, the prospectus or the key investor information.

[Note: article 61(2) of the UCITS Directive and article 26 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

COLL 11.4.4

(1) When notifying the FSA of any irregularities in accordance with COLL 11.4.3R (1), the depositary of the master UCITS should also inform the depositary of the feeder UCITS how the master UCITS or its authorised fund manager has resolved or proposes to resolve the irregularity.

(2) Where the depositary of a UCITS scheme that is a feeder UCITS is informed by the depositary of a master UCITS of an irregularity and is not satisfied that the resolution or proposed resolution is in the interests of the unitholders of the scheme, it should promptly report its view to the authorised fund manager of the scheme, or in the case of an ICVC, the directors.

[Note: recital (16) to the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Disclosure by a trustee or depositary

COLL 11.4.5

Section 351A (Disclosure under the UCITS directive) of the Act provides that where a trustee of an AUT which is a master UCITS or a feeder UCITS, or any person acting on their behalf, makes a disclosure to comply with rules implementing Chapter VIII of the UCITS Directive, that disclosure is not to be taken as a contravention of any duty to which the person making the disclosure is subject. The OEIC Regulations (see regulation 83A) contain corresponding provisions for the depositaries of ICVCs that are feeder UCITS and master UCITS.

01/07/2011

COLL 11.5

Auditors

01/07/2011

Information-sharing agreement between auditors

COLL 11.5.1

Where a master UCITS and a feeder UCITS have different auditors, those auditors must enter into an information-sharing agreement in order to ensure the fulfilment of their respective duties, including the arrangements taken to comply with COLL 11.5.3 R and COLL 11.5.4 R (Preparation of the audit report).

[Note: article 62(1) first paragraph of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

Contents of the information-sharing agreement between auditors

COLL 11.5.2

(1) The information-sharing agreement referred to in COLL 11.5.1 R must include:

(a) identification of the documents and categories of information which are to be routinely shared between both auditors;

(b) whether the information or documents referred to in (a) are to be provided by one auditor to the other or made available on request;

(c) the manner and timing, including any applicable deadlines, of the transmission of information by the auditor of the master UCITS to the auditor of the feeder UCITS;

(d) the co-ordination of the involvement of each auditor in the accounting year-end procedures for their respective scheme;

(e) identification of matters that must be treated as irregularities and disclosed in the audit report for the master UCITS for the purposes of COLL 11.5.3R (2);

(f) the manner and timing for handling ad hoc requests for assistance from one auditor to the other, including a request for further information on irregularities disclosed in the audit report for the master UCITS; and

(g) provisions regarding the preparation of the audit reports referred to in COLL 11.5.3 R and COLL 4.5.12 R (Report of the auditor) and the manner and timing for the provision of the audit report for the master UCITS (and drafts of it) to the auditor of the feeder UCITS.

(2) Where the feeder UCITS and the master UCITS have different accounting year-end dates, the information-sharing agreement must include the manner and timing by which the auditor of the master UCITS is to make the ad hoc report as required by COLL 11.5.4 R and to provide it (and drafts of it) to the auditor of the feeder UCITS.

(3) Where a master-feeder agreement exists in accordance with COLL 11.3.2R (1) (Master-feeder agreement and internal conduct of business rules), the information-sharing agreement between the auditors must provide that:

(a) the law of the EEA State applying to the master-feeder agreement will also apply to the information-sharing agreement between auditors; and

(b) both auditors agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of that EEA State.

(4) Where the master-feeder agreement has been replaced by internal conduct of business rules in accordance with COLL 11.3.2R (2) (Master-feeder agreement and internal conduct of business rules), the information-sharing agreement between the auditors must provide that:

(b) both auditors agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the EEA State whose law is applicable to the information-sharing agreement.

[Note: articles 27 and 28 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Preparation of the audit report

COLL 11.5.3

When preparing its audit report, the auditor of a feeder UCITS must:

(1) take into account the audit report of the master UCITS; and

(2) report on any irregularities revealed in the audit report of the master UCITS and their impact on the feeder UCITS.

[Note: article 62(2) first paragraph first sentence and second paragraph of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

COLL 11.5.4

Where a master UCITS and one or more of its feeder UCITS have different accounting years, the auditor of the master UCITS must make an ad hoc report on the closing date of the accounting year of each feeder UCITS.

[Note: article 62(2) first paragraph second sentence of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

Disclosure by an auditor

COLL 11.5.5

Section 351A of the Act provides that where an auditor of an AUT which is a master UCITS or a feeder UCITS, or any person acting on their behalf, makes a disclosure to comply with rules implementing Chapter VIII of the UCITS Directive, that disclosure is not to be taken as a contravention of any duty to which the person making the disclosure is subject. The OEIC Regulations (see regulation 83A) contain corresponding provisions for auditors of ICVCs that are feeder UCITS and master UCITS.

01/07/2011

Responsibility of authorised fund managers

COLL 11.5.6

The authorised fund managers of a master UCITS and a feeder UCITS must ensure that the terms on which auditors of their respective schemes are appointed require each auditor to comply with the rules in this section.

01/07/2011

COLL 11.6

Winding up, merger and division of master UCITS

01/07/2011

Explanation

COLL 11.6.1

(1) Section 258A(1) and (2) (Winding up or merger of master UCITS) of the Act, in implementation of article 60 of the UCITS Directive, provides that where a master UCITS is wound up, for whatever reason, the FSA is to direct the manager and trustee of any AUT which is a feeder UCITS of the master UCITS to wind up the scheme, unless one of the following conditions is satisfied:

(a) the FSA approves under section 283A (Master-feeder structures) of the Act the investment by the feeder UCITS of at least 85% in value of the scheme property in units of another master UCITS; or

(b) the FSA approves under section 252A (Proposal to convert to a non-feeder UCITS) of the Act an amendment of the trust deed of the feeder UCITS which would enable it to convert into a UCITS scheme which is not a feeder UCITS.

(2) Section 258A(3) and (4) of the Act further providesthat where a master UCITS merges with another UCITS or is divided into two or more UCITS, the FSA is to direct the manager and trustee of any AUT which is a feeder UCITS of the master UCITS to wind up the scheme, unless one of the following conditions is satisfied:

(a) the FSA approves under section 283A of the Act the investment by the feeder UCITS of at least 85% in value of the scheme property in units of:

(i) the master UCITS which results from the merger;

(ii) one of the UCITS resulting from the division; or

(iii) another UCITS or master UCITS; or

(b) the FSA approves under section 252A of the Act an amendment of the trust deed of the feeder UCITS which would enable it to convert into a UCITS scheme which is not a feeder UCITS.

(3) The OEIC Regulations (see regulations 33A and 33B respectively) contain corresponding provisions for feeder UCITS which are structured as ICVCs.

01/07/2011

Winding up and liquidation of master UCITS: Time limit within which a master UCITS is to be wound up pursuant to FSA direction

COLL 11.6.2

(1) The commencement of winding up of a UCITS scheme that is a master UCITS must take place no sooner than 3 months after a notification is made to its unitholders and, where applicable, the competent authorities of the feeder UCITS Home State, informing them of the binding decision to wind up the master UCITS.

(2) Paragraph (1) is without prejudice to any provision of the insolvency legislation in force in the United Kingdom regarding the compulsory liquidation of AUTs or ICVCs.

[Note: article 60(4) last sentence of the UCITS Directive]

01/07/2011

Application for approval by a feeder UCITS where a master UCITS is wound up

COLL 11.6.3

Where the authorised fund manager of a UCITS scheme that is a feeder UCITS is notified that its master UCITS is to be wound up, it must submit to the FSA the following:

(1) where the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS intends to invest at least 85% in value of the scheme property in units of another master UCITS:

(a) its application for approval under section 283A of the Act for that investment;

(b) where applicable, its notice under section 251 (Alteration of schemes and changes of manager or trustee) of the Act or regulation 21 (The Authority's approval for certain changes in respect of a company) of the OEIC Regulations of any proposed amendments to its instrument constituting the scheme;

(c) the amendments to its prospectus and its key investor information in accordance with COLL 4.2.3 R (1)(b) (Provision and filing of the prospectus) and COLL 4.7.7 R (1) (Revision and filing of key investor information); and

(d) the other documents required in accordance with COLL 11.2.2 R (Application for approval of an investment in a master UCITS);

(2) where the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS intends to convert it into a UCITS scheme that is not a feeder UCITS:

(a) its application for approval under section 252A of the Act or regulation 22A of the OEIC Regulations of the proposed amendments to its instrument constituting the scheme; and

(b) the amendments to its prospectus and its key investor information in accordance with COLL 4.2.3 R (1)(b) and COLL 4.7.7 R (1); and

(3) where the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS intends to wind up the scheme, a notice under section 251 of the Act or regulation 21 of the OEIC Regulations of a proposal to that effect.

[Note: article 20(1) of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Timing of applications for approval: winding up of a master UCITS

COLL 11.6.4

(1) The information in COLL 11.6.3 R must be submitted no later than two months after the date on which the master UCITS has informed the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS of the binding decision to be wound up.

(2) By way of derogation from (1), where the master UCITS has informed the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS of the binding decision to be wound up more than five months before the date at which the winding up will start, the authorised fund manager must submit the information to the FSA at the latest three months before the day the winding up will start.

[Note: article 20(1) first sentence and article 20(2) of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Application for approval by a feeder UCITS where a master UCITS merges or divides

COLL 11.6.5

Where the authorised fund manager of a UCITS scheme that is a feeder UCITS is notified that the master UCITS is to merge with another UCITS scheme or EEA UCITS scheme or divide into two or more such schemes, it must submit to the FSA the following:

(1) where the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS intends it to continue to be a feeder UCITS of the same master UCITS:

(a) its application under section 283A of the Act, for approval;

(b) where applicable, a notice under section 251 of the Act or regulation 21 of the OEIC Regulations of any proposed amendments to the instrument constituting the scheme; and

(c) where applicable, the amendments to its prospectus and its key investor information in accordance with COLL 4.2.3 R (1)(b) and COLL 4.7.7 R (1);

(2) where the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS intends it to become a feeder UCITS of another master UCITS resulting from the proposed merger or division of the master UCITS, or intends the feeder UCITS to invest at least 85% in value of the scheme property in units of another master UCITS not resulting from the merger or division:

(a) its application under section 283A of the Act for approval of that investment;

(b) where applicable, a notice under section 251 of the Act or regulation 21 of the OEIC Regulations of any proposed amendments to the instrument constituting the scheme;

(c) the amendments to its prospectus and its key investor information in accordance with COLL 4.2.3 R (1)(b) and COLL 4.7.7 R (1);

(d) the other documents required in accordance with COLL 11.2.2 R;

(3) where the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS intends it to convert into a UCITS scheme that is not a feeder UCITS:

(a) its application for approval under section 252A of the Act or regulation 22A of the OEIC Regulations of the proposed amendments to the instrument constituting the scheme; and

(b) the amendments to its prospectus and its key investor information in accordance with COLL 4.2.3 R (1)(b) and COLL 4.7.7 R (1); and

(4) where the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS intends to wind up the scheme, a notice under section 251 of the Act or regulation 21 of the OEIC Regulations of a proposal to that effect.

[Note: article 22(1) of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Interpretation of COLL 11.6.5R

COLL 11.6.6

(1) For the purposes of COLL 11.6.5R (1), a feeder UCITS will be considered as continuing to be a feeder UCITS of the same master UCITS where:

(a) the master UCITS is the receiving UCITS in a proposed UCITS merger; or

(b) the master UCITS is to continue materially unchanged as one of the resulting UCITS schemes or EEA UCITS schemes in a proposed division.

(2) For the purposes of COLL 11.6.5R (2), a feeder UCITS will be considered as becoming a feeder UCITS of another master UCITS resulting from the merger or division of the master UCITS where:

(a) the master UCITS is the merging UCITS and, as a result of the UCITS merger, the feeder UCITS becomes a unitholder of the receiving UCITS; or

(b) the feeder UCITS as a result of the division becomes a unitholder of a UCITS scheme or EEA UCITS scheme that is materially different to the master UCITS.

[Note: article 22(2) of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Timing of applications for approval: merger or division of a master UCITS

COLL 11.6.7

(1) The information in COLL 11.6.5 R must be submitted to the FSA no later than one month after the date on which the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS has received the information of the planned merger or division in accordance with regulation 13(6) of the UCITS Regulations 2011.

(2) By way of derogation from (1), where the master UCITS provides the information referred to in, or comparable with, COLL 7.7.10 R (Information to be given to unitholders) to the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS more than four months before the proposed effective date of the merger or division of the master UCITS, the authorised fund manager must submit the information to the FSA at least three months before the proposed effective date.

[Note: article 22(1) first sentence and article 22(3) of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Repurchase or redemption of units in a master UCITS

COLL 11.6.8

Regulation 12(4) (Right of redemption) of the UCITS Regulations 2011 provides that where a master UCITS merges with another scheme, the master UCITS must enable its feeder UCITS to repurchase or redeem all the units of the master UCITS in which they have invested before the consequences of the merger become effective, unless the FSA approves the continued investment by the feeder UCITS in a master UCITS resulting from the merger.

01/07/2011

COLL 11.6.9

(1) Where:

(a) the authorised fund manager of a feeder UCITS has submitted the documents required under COLL 11.6.5R (2) and (3); and

(b) does not receive the necessary approvals from the FSA by the business day preceding the last day on which the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS can request repurchase or redemption of its units in the master UCITS;

the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS must exercise the right to repurchase or redeem its units in the master UCITS under regulation 12(4) of the UCITS Regulations 2011.

(2) The authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS must also exercise the right in (1) to ensure that the right of its own unitholders to request repurchase or redemption in the feeder UCITS in accordance with COLL 4.8.3 R (1)(d) (Information to be provided to unitholders) is not affected.

(3) Before exercising the right in (1), the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS must consider any available alternative solutions which may help to avoid or reduce transaction costs or other negative impacts for its own unitholders.

(4) Where the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS requests repurchase or redemption in accordance with (1), it must receive one of the following:

(a) the repurchase or redemption proceeds in cash; or

(b) some or all of the repurchase or redemption proceeds as a transfer in kind, where the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS so wishes and where its instrument constituting the scheme and the master-feeder agreement provide for it.

(5) Where (4)(b) applies, the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS may realise any part of the transferred assets for cash at any time.

[Note: articles 23(4) and 23(5) of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Conditions on reinvestment of cash

COLL 11.6.10

Where:

(1) the FSA approves an application under sections 283A (Master-feeder structures) or 252A (Proposal to convert to a non-feeder UCITS) of the Act or regulation 22A of the OEIC Regulations that arises as a result of the winding-up, merger or division of the master UCITS (other than an application pursuant to COLL 11.6.5R (1)); and

(2) the authorised fund manager of the feeder UCITS holds or receives cash in accordance with COLL 11.6.9R (4) or as a result of a winding-up;

the authorised fund manager may not re-invest that cash, except for the purpose of efficient cash management, before the date on which the feeder UCITS invests in units of the master UCITS in accordance with COLL 11.3.2R (3) (Master-feeder agreement and internal conduct of business rules) or in accordance with its new investment objectives and policy.

[Note: article 23(6) of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

COLL 11.6.11

COLL 11.6.10 R gives effect to sections 283A(4) and 252A(8) of the Act and regulation 22A(4) of the OEIC Regulations which require the FSA to impose certain conditions when approving the re-investment of cash received from a master UCITS which has been wound up.

01/07/2011

Requirements following approval by the FSA

COLL 11.6.12

Where the authorised fund manager of a feeder UCITS has submitted the documents required under COLL 11.6.3R (1), COLL 11.6.3R (2), COLL 11.6.5R (1), COLL 11.6.5R (2) or COLL 11.6.5R (3) and has received written notice of any required approvals from the FSA , it must:

(1) inform the master UCITS of those approvals; and

(2) in the case of the required approvals received in respect of documents submitted under COLL 11.6.3 R (1) and COLL 11.6.5 R (2), take the necessary measures to comply with the requirements of COLL 4.8.3 R as soon as possible.

[Note: articles 21(2), 21(3), 23(2) and 23(3) of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

Notification by feeder UCITS of intention to be wound up

COLL 11.6.13

Where the authorised fund manager of a feeder UCITS gives notice to the FSA under section 251 of the Act or regulation 21 of the OEIC Regulations that it intends to wind up the scheme, it must inform:

(1) the unitholders of the feeder UCITS; and

(2) where notice is given under COLL 11.6.5R (4) (Application for approval by a feeder UCITS where a master UCITS merges or divides), the authorised fund manager of the master UCITS;

of its intention without undue delay.

[Note: articles 20(3) and 22(4) of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

COLL 11 Annex 1

Contents of the standard master-feeder agreement

01/07/2011

This table belongs to the rule on the conclusion and prescribed content of a standard master-feeder agreement (COLL 11.3.2R (1)).

(1)

Provisions related to access to information by a master UCITS and a feeder UCITS:

(a)

how and when the master UCITS provides the feeder UCITS with a copy of its instrument constituting the scheme, prospectus and key investor information or any amendment of them;

(b)

how and when the master UCITS informs the feeder UCITS of a delegation of investment management and risk management functions to third parties in accordance with COLL 6.6.15AR;

(c)

where applicable, how and when the master UCITS provides the feeder UCITS with internal operational documents, such as its risk management process and its compliance reports;

(d)

what details of breaches by the master UCITS of;

(i)

the law;

(ii)

the instrument constituting the scheme; and

(iii)

the master-feeder agreement;

must be notified to the feeder UCITS and the manner and timing thereof;

(e)

where a feeder UCITS uses derivatives for hedging purposes, how and when the master UCITS will provide the feeder UCITS with information about its actual exposure to derivatives to enable the feeder UCITS to calculate its own global exposure as envisaged by COLL 5.8.4 R (Exposure to derivatives); and

(f)

a statement that the master UCITS must inform the feeder UCITS of any other information-sharing arrangements entered into with third parties and, where applicable, how and when the master UCITS makes those other information-sharing arrangements available to the feeder UCITS.

[Note: article 8 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

(2)

Provisions related to the basis of investment and divestment by the feeder UCITS:

(a)

a statement of which classes of units of the master UCITS are available for investment by the feeder UCITS;

(b)

the charges and expenses to be borne by the feeder UCITS and details of any rebate or retrocession of charges or expenses by the master UCITS; and

(c)

where applicable, the terms on which any initial or subsequent transfer of assets in kind may be made from the feeder UCITS to the master UCITS.

[Note: article 9 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

(3)

Provisions related to standard dealing arrangements:

(a)

co-ordination of the frequency and timing of the net asset value calculation process and the publication of prices of units;

(b)

co-ordination of transmission of dealing orders by the feeder UCITS, including, where applicable, the role of transfer agents or any other third party;

(c)

where applicable, any arrangements necessary to take account of the fact that the units of the master UCITS or the feeder UCITS are listed or traded on a secondary market;

(d)

where necessary, appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the requirements in COLL 11.3.6 R (Avoidance of opportunities for market timing);

(e)

where the units of the feeder UCITS and the master UCITS are denominated in different currencies, the basis for conversion of dealing orders;

(f)

settlement cycles and payment details for purchases or subscriptions and repurchases or redemptions of units of the master UCITS including, where agreed between the parties, the terms on which the master UCITS may settle redemption requests by a transfer of assets in kind to the feeder UCITS, notably where a master UCITS is wound up, merges with another UCITS scheme or EEA UCITS scheme or divides into two or more such schemes;

(g)

procedures to ensure enquiries and complaints from unitholders are handled appropriately; and

(h)

where the instrument constituting the scheme and prospectus of the master UCITS give it certain rights or powers in relation to unitholders, and the master UCITS chooses to limit or forego the exercise of all or any such rights and powers in relation to the feeder UCITS, a statement of the terms on which it does so.

[Note: article 10 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

(4)

Provisions related to events affecting dealing arrangements:

(a)

the manner and timing of a notification by either the master UCITS or the feeder UCITS of the temporary suspension and resumption of repurchase, redemption, purchase or subscription of its units; and

(b)

the arrangements for notifying and resolving pricing errors in the master UCITS.

[Note: article 11 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

(5)

Provisions related to the standard arrangements for the audit report:

(a)

where the feeder UCITS and the master UCITS have the same accounting years, the co-ordination of the production of their periodic reports; and

(b)

where the feeder UCITS and the master UCITS have different accounting years, arrangements for the feeder UCITS to obtain any necessary information from the master UCITS to enable it to produce its periodic reports on time and which ensure that the auditor of the master UCITS is in a position to produce an ad hoc report on the closing date of the accounting year of the feeder UCITS in accordance with COLL 11.5.4 R (Preparation of the audit report).

[Note: article 12 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

(6)

Provisions related to changes to the standing arrangements:

How and when notice is to be given:

(a)

by the master UCITS of proposed and effective amendments to its instrument constituting the scheme, prospectus and key investor information, if these details differ from the standard arrangements for notification of unitholders laid down in the instrument constituting the scheme or prospectus of the master UCITS;

(b)

by the master UCITS of a planned or proposed winding up, merger or division;

(c)

by either the feeder UCITS or the master UCITS that it has ceased or will cease to meet the qualifying conditions to be a feeder UCITS or a master UCITS respectively;

(d)

by either the feeder UCITS or the master UCITS that it intends to replace its management company, its depositary, its auditor or any third party which is mandated to carry out investment management or risk management functions; and

(e)

by the master UCITS of other changes to standing arrangements that it undertakes to provide.

[Note: article 13 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011

COLL 11 Annex 2

Contents of the internal conduct of business rules

01/07/2011

This table belongs to the rule on the conclusion and prescribed content of the internal conduct of business rules (COLL 11.3.2R (2)).

(1)

Provisions related to conflicts of interest

(a)

The internal conduct of business rules referred to in COLL 11.3.2R (2) must include appropriate measures to mitigate conflicts of interest that may arise between:

(i)

the feeder UCITS and the master UCITS; or

(ii)

the feeder UCITS and other unitholders of the master UCITS;

to the extent that these are not sufficiently addressed by the measures applied by the management company in order to meet the requirements of the provisions listed in (b).

(b)

The provisions referred to in (a) are:

(i)

SYSC 10.1.4 R (Types of conflicts);

(ii)

SYSC 10.1.6 R (Record of conflicts);

(iii)

SYSC 10.1.10 R (Conflicts policy);

(iv)

SYSC 10.1.11 R (Contents of policy);

(v)

SYSC 10.1.17 R (Additional requirements for a management company);

(vi)

SYSC 10.1.19 R (Structure and organisation of a management company);

(vii)

SYSC 10.1.20 R (Avoidance of conflicts of interest for a management company);

(viii)

SYSC 10.1.21 R (Disclosure of conflicts for a management company); and

(ix)

COLL 6.6A.6 R (Strategies for the exercise of voting rights);

or the equivalent provisions implementing articles 12(1)(b) and 14(1)(d) of the UCITS Directive and Chapter III of the UCITS implementing Directive.

[Note: article 15 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

(2)

Provisions related to the basis of investment and divestment by the feeder UCITS:

(a)

a statement of which classes of units of the master UCITS are available for investment by the feeder UCITS;

(b)

the charges and expenses to be borne by the feeder UCITS and details of any rebate or retrocession of charges or expenses by the master UCITS; and

(c)

where applicable, the terms on which any initial or subsequent transfer of assets in kind may be made from the feeder UCITS to the master UCITS.

[Note: article 16 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

(3)

Provisions related to standard dealing arrangements:

(a)

co-ordination of the frequency and timing of the net asset value calculation process and the publication of prices of units;

(b)

co-ordination of transmission of dealing orders by the feeder UCITS, including, where applicable, the role of transfer agents or any other third party;

(c)

where applicable, any arrangements necessary to take account of the fact that units of the master UCITS or the feeder UCITS are listed or traded on a secondary market;

(d)

where necessary, appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the requirements in COLL 11.3.6 R (Avoidance of opportunities for market timing);

(e)

where the units of the feeder UCITS and the master UCITS are denominated in different currencies, the basis for conversion of dealing orders;

(f)

(g)

[Note: article 17 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

(4)

Provisions related to events affecting dealing arrangements:

(a)

the manner and timing of notification by either the master UCITS or the feeder UCITS of the temporary suspension and resumption of repurchase, redemption, purchase or subscription of its units; and

(b)

the arrangements for notifying and resolving pricing errors in the master UCITS.

[Note: article 18 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

(5)

Provisions related to the standard arrangements for the audit report:

(a)

where the feeder UCITS and the master UCITS have the same accounting years, the co-ordination of the production of their periodic reports; and

(b)

[Note: article 19 of the UCITS implementing Directive No 2]

01/07/2011