The validity of market flex provisions revisited

A market flex clause is designed to provide funders with the flexibility to change the pricing and/or the structure of a financing package if there is a change in market conditions. The global COVID-19 crisis has brought about economic uncertainty and market volatility – increasing the popularity of market flex clauses amongst funders. In this article, we revisit some key legal principles underpinning the validity and enforceability of market flex clauses.

20 May 2020 2 min read Corporate & Commercial Alert Article

It is customary in mortgage bonds to include a term to the effect that the mortgagee be allowed vary the interest rate unilaterally. The validity of such clause has often been attacked on the grounds that it confers upon the mortgagee an unfettered discretion and that a term of a contract leaving it to the will of one of the parties to determine the extent of his or the other party’s required performance is void for vagueness. Conflicting court decisions ensued as funders tried to enforce such contracts.

After reviewing the validity of unilaterally fixing contractual terms, the Supreme Court of Appeal in NBS Boland Bank Ltd v One Berg River Drive CC finally settled the debate and held that, in the absence of express wording to the contrary, a clause permitting a mortgagee to vary the interest rate did not confer an unfettered discretionary power but was subject to the inherent limitation that such power must be exercised ‘arbitrio boni viri’ - which may be equated with the standard of reasonableness and honesty. Although not passing judgement on the point, the court in obiter expressed the view that it was yet to be seen whether a stipulation which explicitly conferred an absolute unfettered discretion upon one party to fix a performance may possibly be in conflict with public policy.

If the NBS Boland judgement were to be applied in the context of market flex clauses, we suggest that including wording to the effect that the market flex clause may be exercised by the funder in “its sole and absolute discretion” may potentially expose such clause to being challenged on the grounds of conflicting public policy. However, in the absence of explicit wording to the effect that the funder’s powers are entirely unfettered, such powers are inherently subject to the limitation of reasonableness and thus valid and enforceable.

The global COVID-19 crisis has seen the emergence of strongly worded market flex clauses up for negotiation. In these market conditions it is particularly important to ensure that the wording of such clauses does not inadvertently compromise its validity but instead affords the valuable protection it is intended to provide.

The information and material published on this website is provided for general purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We make every effort to ensure that the content is updated regularly and to offer the most current and accurate information. Please consult one of our lawyers on any specific legal problem or matter. We accept no responsibility for any loss or damage, whether direct or consequential, which may arise from reliance on the information contained in these pages. Please refer to our full terms and conditions. Copyright © 2024 Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr. All rights reserved. For permission to reproduce an article or publication, please contact us cliffedekkerhofmeyr@cdhlegal.com.