Appellants, all American citizens or residents, are more than one hundred “Names” in the Corporation of Lloyd’s (Lloyd’s). Loosely speaking, Names are investors in Lloyd’s syndicates, the entities that nominally underwrite insurance risk. For convenience we will refer to the syndicates as entities; although this is a disputed issue on appeal, we affirm on a different basis and therefore need not resolve this issue. Appellant Names (Roby Names) alleged in their consolidated complaint that they have suffered severe financial loss as a result of appellees’ violations of the Securities Act of 1933, 15 U.S.C. §§ 77a-77bbbb (the Securities Act), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. §§ 78a-78ll (the Securities Exchange Act), and the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, 18 U.S.C. § 1961 et seq. (RICO). This opinion, however, addresses only the Roby Names’ contention on appeal that their disputes with
BACKGROUND
Lloyd’s is not a company; it is a market somewhat analogous to the New York Stock Exchange. Lloyd’s’ governing bodies, the Council and Committee of Lloyd’s, promulgate regulations and enforce compliance therewith. There are over 300 syndicates competing within Lloyd’s for underwriting, business, each managed by an entity called a Managing Agent. Each Managing Agent is. responsible for its own syndicate’s financial well-being; it tries to attract capital and underwriting business. Managing Agents owe a contractual duty to Names to manage their syndicates with reasonable care and skill. Capital comes from Names, who are represented in their dealings with Lloyd’s by Members’ Agents (also entities). Members’ Agents are obliged to act in the sole interest of their principal Names. By agreement, the Members’ Agents stand in a fiduciary relationship to their Names. Lloyd’s brokers broker underwriting risk to the syndicates by negotiating with the syndicates’ Active Underwriters, individuals appointed by the syndicates’ Managing Agents. Brokers, Managing Agents, and Members’ Agents all compete with their peers in their respective areas.
While eighty percent of Lloyd’s 26,000 Names are English, about 2,500, representing more than $1 billion in capital, are American. The Roby Names were solicited in the United States by various Lloyd’s entities and representatives. Except for a brief meeting in London — a mandatory formality — the entire process by which the Roby Names became Names took place in the United States. In order to become a Name, an individual had to pass a “means test.” The Roby Names assert that in 1988, by which time they had all become Names, this test required prospective Names to maintain a net worth of approximately $170,000. By contrast, Lloyd’s claims that Names were required to demonstrate that they were “accredited investors” under Regulation D, 17 C.F.R. § 230.501(a) (1992), so that any sale of securities to them would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. See 15 U.S.C. § 77d(2); 17 C.F.R. § 230.506(b) (1992). While there is evidence that this requirement was established after 1988, Lloyd’s has not pointed to any proof that the requirement was in effect prior to 1988. Nevertheless, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has never insisted that Lloyd’s or Lloyd’s entities register securities.
Upon becoming a Name, an individual selects from a list of syndicates — with the aid of only very limited financial information— and decides how much he wishes to invest in each one. In making these decisions, Names rely to a great extent on the advice of their Members’ Agents. The profits that Names earn are in proportion to their capital contributions, and Names bear unlimited liability for their proportionate losses in each syndicate they join. Their liability is several, not joint; no Name is ever responsible for the losses of those fellow Names who comprise the syndicate.
Names are required to enter directly into two agreements and indirectly into two others.
In their consolidated complaint, the Roby Names allege violations of sections 12(1) and 12(2) of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 771 (1), (2), and section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b). In addition, they allege “controlling person” liability under section 15 of the Securities Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77o, and section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act, 15 U.S.C. § 78t. Finally, using these securities law violations as predicate acts, the Roby Names allege several violations of RICO. Each cause of action names as defendants a different combination of the following parties: Lloyd’s, Lloyd’s’ governing bodies, certain Managing and Members’ Agents, certain individual members of these entities (the Chairs), and certain syndicates.
By order dated June 12,1992, Judge Lasker dismissed the complaint against the “syndicate defendants,” finding that they had no separate existence and therefore could not be sued as entities.
DISCUSSION
The Roby Names maintain that their investments in Lloyd’s syndicates constitute “securities” under the securities laws. We decline to rule on this question today, noting only that we have received little guidance from the SEC on this issue. Instead, we will assume for purposes of this appeal that the Roby Names’ consolidated complaint states cognizable claims under the securities laws. For the sake of precision, we note that the assumed sale of a security occurs not when an individual becomes a Name, but instead when a Name pledges capital to a syndicate. Nevertheless, we understand the Roby Names to argue that the solicitation of individuals to become Names is in fact part of the overall process of soliciting them to pledge capital (i.eto buy “securities”).
The Roby Names present us with two basic arguments as to why these suits should be litigated in the United States: (1) the contract clauses, by their terms, apply neither to the substance of their claims nor to certain defendants; and (2) the clauses are unenforceable due to the public policy codified in the securities laws. We find neither of these arguments persuasive.
I. Scope of the Contract Clauses
A. Parties Covered
We believe every defendant in this action, in the words of Judge Lasker, is either “protected directly by the [contract] clauses or [is an] intended beneficiar[y] entitled to enforce them.” Roby v. The Corporation of Lloyd’s,
Judge Lasker dismissed the Roby Names’ action against the syndicates on the ground that they had no entity existence. Although the Roby Names dispute this legal determination, we need not decide the issue because we may of course affirm the judgment of the district court on any basis that has support in the record. See I. Meyer Pincus & Assocs. v. Oppenheimer & Co.,
Paragraph 2.2 of the General Undertaking states, in pertinent part:
Each party hereto irrevocably agrees that the courts of England shall have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute and/or controversy of whatsoever nature arising out of or relating to the [Name’s] membership of, and/or underwriting of insurance business at, Lloyd’s.
Paragraph 2.1 is equally broad and provides for the application of English law. The syndicates are third-party beneficiaries of this agreement. As Professor Corbin has said, a third party will have an enforceable right “if the promised performance will be of pecuniary benefit to him and the contract is so expressed as to give the promisor reason to know that such benefit is contemplated by the promisee as one of the motivating causes of his making the contract.” 4 Arthur L. Corbin, Corbin on Contracts § 776, at 18 (3d ed. 1967). Here, the syndicates have a pecuniary interest in the certainty and consistency of litigating in one nation’s courts under one nation’s laws. The extremely broad language of the General Undertaking should make it clear that Lloyd’s’ intent was to benefit all Lloyd’s entities, particularly because potential actions against Lloyd’s itself are limited in nature and the broad language of paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 otherwise would be sorely over broad. Moreover, paragraph 1,' which is the only other substantive provision in the General Undertaking, requires Names to abide by the provisions of any other contract authorized by the Council (including, e.g., the Members’ Agent’s Agreement). We believe this indicates that the General Undertaking was meant to govern the Names’ general obligations within the. entire Lloyd’s community.
As a fallback position, the Roby Names rightly observe that Judge Lasker refused to issue an order confirming that his decision dismissing the action against the other defendants for improper venue applied equally to the syndicate defendants. However, the judge offered no explanation for his refusal and we believe, he was simply exercising cautious restraint gather than definitively ruling that the improper venue decision did not apply to the syndicates. Because we believe the reasoning of the venue decision is equally applicable to the syndicate defendants, we hold that the syndicates, if they are entities, are also entitled to the benefits of the forum selection and choice of law clauses.
. The General Undertaking contains no arbitration clause, and therefore we do not decide today whether the Roby Names are bound to arbitrate with the syndicates. Whether the Syndicate and Arbitration Agreement or some other agreement may be interpreted to require the Roby Names to arbitrate is a question that should be decided under English law in an English court pursuant to the General Undertaking.
2. Managing Agents
The Roby Names contend that they are not bound by the Managing Agent’s Agreements because neither they nor the Managing Agents ever signed them. However,, the parties clearly assented to be bound by the Managing Agent’s Agreements. First, ,the Roby Names signed the Members’ Agent’s Agreements which authorize their Members’ Agents to enter into Managing Agent’s ■ Agreements on their behalf. Second, they signed the General Undertaking which requires them to abide by all of Lloyd’s bylaws. Bylaw 8 prohibits any Name from underwriting insurance at Lloyd’s other than pursuant to the standard agreements. By underwriting insurance, the Roby Names have demonstrated their intent to, be bound by the Managing Agent’s Agreements. Similarly, the Managing Agents, by acting in their capacity in accordance with the web of standard agreements, clearly have
3. Individual Chairs
The Roby Names next contend that the individual Chairs of the Members’ and Managing Agents are neither signatories to nor third-party beneficiaries of any agreement with the Roby Names and therefore that they must litigate in federal court. We agree with the district court, however, that the individual Chairs are entitled to rely on the contract clauses incorporated into their employers’ agreements.
Courts in this and other circuits consistently have held that employees or disclosed agents of an entity that is a party to an arbitration agreement are protected by that agreement. See, e.g., Nesslage v. York Securities, Inc.,
We believe that this is a distinction without a legal difference. The complaints against the individual Chairs are completely dependent on the complaints against the Agents. Whether the individual Chairs are disclosed agents or controlling persons, their liability arises out of the same misconduct charged against the Agents. If the scope of the Agents’ agreements includes the Agents’ misconduct, it necessarily includes the Chairs’ derivative misconduct. Moreover, we believe that the parties fully intended to protect the individual Chairs to the extent they are charged with misconduct within the scope of the agreements. If it were otherwise, it would be too easy to circumvent the agreements by naming individuals as defendants instead of the entity Agents themselves.
B. Disputes Covered
“[A] party cannot be required to submit to arbitration any dispute which he has not agreed so to submit.” AT & T Technologies, Inc. v. Communications Workers of America,
1. Application of English Law
.It defies reason to suggest that a plaintiff may circumvent forum selection and arbitration clauses merely by stating claims under laws not recognized by the forum selected in the agreement. A plaintiff simply would have to allege violations of his country’s tort law or his country’s statutory law or his country’s property law in order to render nugatory any forum selection clause that implicitly or explicitly required the application of the law of another jurisdiction. We refuse to allow a party’s solemn promise to be defeated by artful pleading. See Coastal Steel Corp. v. Tilghman Wheelabrator Ltd.,
2. Scope of the Agreements-
Of course, the Roby Names are quite right that if the substance of their claims, stripped of their label's, does not fall within the scope of the clauses, the clauses cannot apply. However, they must make this argument in the face of strong public policy in favor of forum selection and arbitration clauses. See, e.g., Mitsubishi Motors Corp. v. Soler Chrysler-Plymouth,
There is ample precedent that the scope of clauses similar to those at issue here is not restricted to pure breaches of the contracts containing the clauses. The Managing and Members’ Agent’s Agreements speak, with respect to the arbitration clauses, in terms of “dispute[s], difference^], question[s] or claim[s] relating to” the agreements and, with respect to the forum selection clauses, in terms of submission for “all purposes of and in connection with” the agreements (emphasis added). In Bense v. Interstate Battery System of America,
In the instant ease the conduct surrounding.-the underwriting-activities at Lloyd’s is integrally related to the sale of Lloyd’s “securities” because the “security” is essentially equivalent to the underwriting of risk or the pledging of capital. In order to underwrite, risk, a Name is required by Lloyd’s’ bylaws to enter into the Managing and Members’ Agent’s Agreements. He may-not underwrite risk otherwise; that is, he may not “buy the security” otherwise. Misconduct with respect to the sale of these “securities” necessarily “relates to” these required agreements.
It is perhaps even more persuasive that the agreements are in fact not limited to the conduct of business but also cover the raising of capital. Thus, for instance, the agreements contain certain disclosure requirements. In addition, they establish certain duties of the Agents with respect to the Name and because the agreements are entered .into prior to the underwriting of risk, these duties are owed with respect to the raising of capital. We believe the agreements are clearly intended to, and in fact do, govern the relationships between Agents and Names with respect to the purchase and sale of Lloyd’s “securities.” Because the gist of the Roby Names’ allegations relates to the sale of those “securities,” we hold that their claims “relate to” the Agent’s Agreements.
Similarly, and even more forcefully, the broad language of the forum selection clause of the General Undertaking covers the Roby Names’ claims at least against Lloyd’s’ governing bodies.. Those claims are undoubtedly related to the Roby Names’ “membership of, and/or underwriting of insurance business at, Lloyd’s.”
II. Application of the Securities Laws
The Roby Names argue that the public policy codified in the antiwaiver provisions of the securities laws renders unenforceable any agreement that effectively eliminates
We note at the outset that Wilko v. Swan,
The Tenth Circuit recently addressed this exact issue in a similar context in Riley v. Kingsley Underwriting Agencies, Ltd.,
A. Presumption of Validity
The Supreme Court certainly has indicated that forum selection and choice of law clauses are presumptively valid where the underlying transaction is fundamentally international in character. See, e.g., The Bremen,
This presumption of validity may be overcome, however, by a clear’ showing that the clauses are “ ‘unreasonable’ under the- circumstances.” The Bremen,
In this case, we can easily dispose of the first two factors. The Roby Names do not contend that they were fraudulently induced into agreeing to the forum selection, choice of law or arbitration clauses. Nor do we believe it. gravely inconvenient for the Roby Names to litigate in London; they found it convenient enough to travel there for their mandatory interviews, and, in any event, many of them presently are prosecuting actions there. Moreover, nothing in the record suggests that the English courts would be biased or otherwise unfair, and United States, courts consistently have found them to be neutral and just forums. See, e.g., Syndicate f20 at Lloyd’s London v. Early American Ins. Co.,
As to the third factor, we -note that it is not enough that the foreign law or procedure merely be different or less favorable than that of the United States. See, e.g., Mitsubishi,
B. Public Policy
We depart somewhat from the Riley Court with respect to the fourth factor. We believe that there is a serious question whether United States public policy has been subverted by the Lloyd’s clauses. In this section we explain our concerns; in section C below we resolve those concerns. Ultimately, we hold that the presumption of validity has not been overcome.
The Supreme Court in The Bremen wrote, “[a] contractual choice-of-forum clause should be held unenforceable if enforcement would contravene a strong public policy of the fo
The framers of the securities laws were concerned principally with reversing the common law rule favoring “caveat emptor.” See, e.g., SEC v. Arthur Young & Co.,
In this sense, the securities laws somewhat resemble the antitrust laws at issue in Mitsubishi. The Mitsubishi Court enforced a clause providing that all disputes arising under a contract between a Puerto Rican corporation and a Japanese corporation be submitted for arbitration by the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association. The Court recognized that private actions under the Sherman Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1 et seq., play a “central role” in promoting the national interest in a competitive economy,
We are concerned in the present case that the Roby Names’ contract clauses may operate “in tandem” as a prospective waiver of the statutory remedies for securities violations, thereby circumventing the strong and expansive public policy in deterring such violations. We are cognizant of the important reasons for enforcing such clauses in Lloyd’s’ agreements. Lloyd’s is a British concern which raises capital in over 80 nations. Its operations are clearly international in scope. There can be no doubt that the contract clauses mitigate the uncertainty regarding choice of law and forum inherent in the multinational affairs of Lloyd’s. Comity also weighs in favor of enforcing the clauses. Yet we do not believe that a United States court can in good conscience enforce clauses that subvert a strong national policy, particularly one that for over fifty years has served as
C. Availability of Adequate Remedies
We are satisfied not only that the Roby Names have several adequate remedies in England to vindicate their substantive rights, but also that in this case .the policies, of ensuring full and fair disclosure and deterring the exploitation of United States investors have not been subverted. We address the fraud and misrepresentation claims first.
1. Fraud and Misrepresentation
English common law provides remedies for knowing or reckless deceit, negligent misrepresentation, and even innocent misrepresentation. Moreover, the Misrepresentation Act of 1967 provides some additional statutory remedies. Id. While the Roby Names might have been able to sue “controlling persons” under the United States securities laws and establish liability without proving-reliance, it certainly is not unfair for English law to require proof of actual misconduct and reliance. Furthermore we are skeptical that “controlling person” liability could be established against many of the defendants here. For instance, we question whether the Lloyd’s’ governing bodies have “control” over other Lloyd’s entities in the sense intended under the securities laws. See, e.g., 17 C.F.R. § 230.405 (1992) (defining “control”); Harrison v. Dean Witter Reynolds,
In any event, the available remedies are adequate and the potential recoveries substantial. This is particularly true -given the low scienter requirements under English misrepresentation law {e.g., negligence, “innocence”). Moreover, together with the contractual obligations imposing certain fiduciary and similar duties on Members’ and Managing Agents, we believe that the available remedies and potential damages recoveries suffice to deter deception of American investors.
In this context we also note that many of the so-called “misrepresentations” thé Roby Names allege-are really complaints about the conduct of Lloyd’s’ affairs rather than complaints about fraudulent reporting. Thus, for instance, while it may be true that the defendants kept insufficient reserves and permitted “questionable accounting practices,” failure to convey this information to the Roby Names is more a violation of the letter of the securities laws than their spirit, because the complaints really address Lloyd’s’ misconduct after securities are sold. We do not believe that these complaints implicate the public policy of the securities laws.
Finally, although, as the Roby Names observe, section 14 of the Lloyd’s Act of 1982 exempts the Corporation of Lloyd’s (and its officers and employees) from liability, no other entity within Lloyd’s is exempt. Moreover, even the Corporation of Lloyd’s is not exempt for acts “done in bad faith.” Furthermore, as a self-regulating organization, we cannot say that Lloyd’s’ own bylaws will not insure the honesty and forthrightness that American investors deserve and expect. We conclude that the Roby Names have adequate remedies in England to vindicate their statutory fraud and misrepresentation claims.
2. Disclosure
We turn now to address whether adequate remedies are available to deter issuers from issuing securities without disclosing sufficient information to permit investors to make informed decisions. We believe that this policy concern is somewhat diluted in this case because the SEC consistently has exempted Lloyd’s from the registration requirements of the securities laws. Apparently the SEC has
In any event, English law in this case provides Lloyd’s entities with an adequate inducement to disclose material information to American investors: failure to do so gives rise to liability for breach of contract. For instance, the Members’ Agent’s Agreement requires each Members’ Agent “promptly” to provide Names with a host of information, and to
disclose ... in good time any information in its possession relating-to any of the Contracted Syndicates, or to any syndicate which the Agent has advised the Name to join ... which could reasonably be expected to influence the Name in deciding whether to become or remain a member of, or to increase or reduce his participation in, any such syndicate, and use its reasonable endeavours to obtain any such information.
(emphasis added). Similarly, paragraph 4.2(i) of the Managing Agent’s Agreement requires Managing Agents to disclose “in good time” relevant information to the Name or his Members’ Agent. The Roby Names, therefore, certainly can allege breach of contract claims under English law. In addition, under their contract Members’ Agents owe certain fiduciary duties to Names which provide a further basis for suit.
While we do not doubt that the United States securities laws would provide the Roby Names with a greater variety of defendants and a greater chance of success due to lighter scienter and causation requirements, we are convinced that there are ample and just remedies under English law. Moreover, we cannot say that the policies underlying our securities laws will be offended by the application of English law. In this case, the Roby Names have entered into contracts that require substantial disclosure by both the Members’ and Managing Agents. The specter of liability for breach of contract should act as an adequate deterrent to the exploitation of American investors. The well developed English law of fraud and misrepresentation likewise adequately requires that the disclosure be “fair.”
III. Application of RICO
That RICO provides treble damages and seeks to deter -persistent misconduct does not dissuade us from our view that the Roby Names’ contract clauses must be enforced. As we have explained, the Roby' Names have adequate potential remedies in England and there are significant disincentives to deter .English issuers from unfairly exploiting American investors. Although the remedies and disincentives might be magnified by the application of RICO, we cannot say that application of English law would subvert the policies underlying that statute.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons we hold that the Roby Names’ contract clauses cover the scope of, and the -parties named in, the complaint and that the Roby Names have remedies under English law adequate not only to vindicate their substantive rights but also to protect the public policies established by the United States securities laws.
The judgment and order of the district court are affirmed.
Notes
. A slightly different structure existed prior to 1990, but the differences are irrelevant for purposes of this appeal and affect at most only five of the 109 appellants.
. The analysis is no different for the arbitration clauses. Indeed, an arbitration clause is merely a specialized type of forum selection clause. See Scherk,
. Scherk, decided eleven years before Mitsubishi, is not to the contrary. Scherk v. Alberto-Culver Co.,