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

Regulations

Financial Markets Act Regulations

Chapter VI : Central Counterparties

9. Legal basis

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(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.