EXHIBIT 4.1 DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 4.1

SPARK NETWORKS PLC

AND

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

As Depositary

AND

OWNERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS

Deposit Agreement

Dated as of                      , 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEPOSIT AGREEMENT

          DEPOSIT AGREEMENT dated as of                      , 2005 among SPARK NETWORKS PLC, incorporated under the laws of England and Wales (herein called the Company), THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York banking corporation (herein called the Depositary), and all Owners (as hereinafter defined) and Beneficial Owners (as hereinafter defined) from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder.

W I T N E S S E T H :

          WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide, as hereinafter set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the deposit of Shares (as hereinafter defined) of the Company from time to time with the Depositary or with the Custodian (as hereinafter defined), as agent of the Depositary for the purposes set forth in this Deposit Agreement, for the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares; and

          WHEREAS, the American Depositary Receipts are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A annexed hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, it is agreed by and between the parties hereto as follows:

     ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS.

          The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated, apply to the respective terms used in this Deposit Agreement:

     SECTION 1.01. American Depositary Shares; Receipts.

          The term “American Depositary Shares” shall mean the securities representing the interests in the Deposited Securities and evidenced by Receipts issued hereunder. Each American Depositary Share shall represent the right to receive the number of Shares specified in Exhibit A to this Deposit Agreement, until there shall occur a distribution upon Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.03 or a change in Deposited Securities covered by Section 4.08 with respect to which additional Receipts are not executed and delivered, and thereafter American Depositary Shares shall evidence the rights to receive the amount of Shares or Deposited Securities specified in such

Sections. The term “Receipt” shall mean the American Depositary Receipts issued under this Deposit Agreement evidencing the American Depositary Shares.

     SECTION 1.02. Beneficial Owner.

          The term “Beneficial Owner” shall mean each person owning from time to time any beneficial interest in the Master RECEIPT issued hereunder but who is not the Owner of such Receipt.

     SECTION 1.03. Commission.

          The term “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.

     SECTION 1.04. Company.

          The term “Company” shall mean Spark Networks plc, incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, and its successors.

     SECTION 1.05. Custodian.

          The term “Custodian” shall mean the London office of The Bank of New York, as agent of the Depositary for the purposes of this Deposit Agreement, and any other firm or corporation which may hereafter be appointed by the Depositary pursuant to the terms of Section 5.05, as substitute or additional custodian or custodians hereunder, as the context shall require and shall also mean all of them collectively.

     SECTION 1.06. Deliver; Surrender.

          (a) The term “deliver”, or its noun form, when used with respect to Shares shall mean (i) one or more book-entry transfers to an account or accounts maintained with a depository institution authorized under applicable law to effect book-entry transfers of such securities or (ii) the physical transfer of certificates representing Shares.

          (b) The term “deliver”, or its noun form, when used with respect to Receipts, shall mean (i) one or more book-entry transfers of American Depositary Shares to an account or accounts at The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) designated by the person entitled to such delivery or (ii) if requested by the person entitled to such delivery, delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of one or more Receipts.

          (c) The term “surrender”, when used with respect to Receipts, shall mean (i) one or more book-entry transfers of American Depositary Shares to the DTC account of the Depositary or (ii) surrender to the Depositary at its Corporate Trust Office of one or more Receipts.

     SECTION 1.07. Depositary; Corporate Trust Office.

          The term “Depositary” shall mean The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, and any successor as depositary hereunder. The term “Corporate Trust Office”, when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the corporate trust office of the Depositary which at the date of this Deposit Agreement is 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.

     SECTION 1.08. Deposited Securities.

          The term “Deposited Securities” as of any time shall mean Shares at such time deposited or deemed to be deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other securities, property and cash received by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect thereof and at such time held hereunder, subject as to cash to the provisions of Section 4.05.

     SECTION 1.09. Dollars; Pounds; Pence; P.

          The term “Dollars” shall mean United States dollars. The terms “Pounds” or “Pence” or “P” shall mean the lawful currency of the United Kingdom.

     SECTION 1.10. DTC.

          The term “DTC” shall mean The Depository Trust Company, or any successor corporation thereto.

     SECTION 1.11. Foreign Currency.

          The term “Foreign Currency” shall mean any currency other than Dollars.

     SECTION 1.12. Foreign Registrar.

          The term “Foreign Registrar” shall mean the entity that presently carries out the duties of registrar for the Shares or any successor as registrar for the Shares and any other appointed agent of the Company for the transfer and registration of Shares.

     SECTION 1.13. Deposit Agreement.

          The term “Deposit Agreement” shall mean this Deposit Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof, and all instruments supplemental hereto.

     SECTION 1.14. Owner.

          The term “Owner” shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for such purpose.

     SECTION 1.15. Receipts.

          The term “Receipts” shall mean the American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, evidencing American Depositary Shares as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions hereof.

     SECTION 1.16. Registrar.

          The term “Registrar” shall mean the Depositary or any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be appointed to register Receipts and transfers of Receipts and to countersign Receipts as herein provided and shall include any co-registrars appointed by the Depositary.

     SECTION 1.17. Restricted Securities.

          The term “Restricted Securities” shall mean Shares, or Receipts representing such Shares, which are acquired directly or indirectly from the Company, or any affiliate (as defined in Rule 144 to the Securities Act of 1933) of the Company, in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering, or which are held by an officer, director (or persons performing similar functions) or other affiliate of the Company, or which would require registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the public offer and sale thereof in the United States, or which are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States or England and Wales, or under a shareholder agreement or the articles of association or similar document of the Company.

     SECTION 1.18. Securities Act.

          The term “Securities Act” shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.

     SECTION 1.19. Securities Exchange Act.

          The term “Securities Exchange Act” shall mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time amended.

     SECTION 1.20. Shares.

          The term “Shares” shall mean ordinary shares of 1p each in the Company heretofore validly issued and outstanding and fully paid, nonassessable and free of any preemptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares, or hereafter validly issued and outstanding and fully paid, nonassessable and free of any preemptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares or interim certificates representing such Shares; provided , however , that if there shall occur any change in par value, a split-up or consolidation or any other reclassification or, upon the occurrence of an event described in Section 4.08, an exchange or conversion in respect of the Shares, the term “Shares” shall thereafter mean the successor securities resulting from such change in par value, split-up or consolidation or such other reclassification or such exchange or conversion.

     SECTION 1.21. Stamp Taxes

          The term “stamp taxes” shall mean any stamp duty reserve tax imposed by Part IV of the Finance Act 1986 of the United Kingdom (or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof) in respect of any deposit of Shares in accordance with Section 2.02 of this Deposit Agreement, or any stamp duty imposed by Part III of the Finance Act 1986 of the United Kingdom (or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereof) on any deposit of Shares in accordance with Section 2.02 of this Deposit Agreement, or both of them, as the context may require.

     SECTION 1.22. United States.

          The term “United States” shall, except as otherwise provided in this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts, mean the United States of America, its territories and possessions, any State of the United States, and the District of Columbia.

     ARTICLE 2. FORM OF RECEIPTS, DEPOSIT OF SHARES, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS.

     SECTION 2.01. Form and Transferability of Receipts.

          (a) Receipts shall be entitled “American Depositary Receipts” and shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A annexed to this Deposit Agreement, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions as hereinafter provided. No Receipt shall be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or obligatory for any purpose, unless such Receipt shall have been executed by the Depositary by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary and, if a Registrar (other than the Depositary) for the Receipts shall have been appointed, countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Registrar. The Depositary shall maintain books on which each Receipt

so executed and delivered as hereinafter provided and the transfer of each such Receipt shall be registered. Receipts bearing the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary who was at any time a proper signatory of the Depositary shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding that such signatory has ceased to hold such office prior to the execution and delivery of such Receipts by the Registrar or did not hold such office on the date of issuance of such Receipts.

          The Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the text thereof such legends or recitals or modifications not inconsistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement as may be required (i) by the Depositary or (ii) to comply with any applicable law or regulations or with the rules and regulations thereunder of any securities exchange upon which American Depositary Shares may be listed or to conform with any usage with respect thereto, or to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to which any particular Receipts are subject by reason of the date or manner of issuance of the underlying Deposited Securities or otherwise.

          The Receipts shall bear a CUSIP number that is different from any CUSIP number that is or may be assigned to any other restricted depositary receipt facility relating to the Shares.

          The Receipts shall be engraved, lithographed, printed or typewritten, or in such other form as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Depositary.

          Title to a Receipt (and to the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby), when properly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer and transferred in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement, shall be transferable by delivery with the same effect as in the case of a negotiable instrument under the laws of the State of New York; provided , however , that the Depositary, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the Owner thereof as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of determining the person entitled to distribution of dividends or other distributions or to any notice provided for in this Deposit Agreement and for all other purposes and neither the Depositary nor the Company will have any obligation or be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement to any holder of a Receipt unless such holder is the Owner thereof.

     SECTION 2.02. Deposit of Shares.

          (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, Shares or evidence of rights to receive Shares may be deposited under this Deposit Agreement by delivery thereof to any Custodian hereunder, accompanied by any appropriate instrument or instruments of transfer, or endorsement, in form satisfactory to the Custodian, and all such certifications, documents, other information (including, with respect to any applicable stamp taxes, evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any such amounts have been fully paid) and payments as may be required by the Depositary

or the Custodian in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, and, if the Depositary requires, together with a written order (1) directing the Depositary to deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person or persons stated in such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares representing such deposited Shares.

          No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under English laws and regulations and any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body in England, which is then performing the function of the regulation of currency exchange or any other function which requires approval for the deposit of Shares. If required by the Depositary, Shares presented for deposit at any time, whether or not the transfer books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are closed, shall also be accompanied by an agreement or assignment, or other instrument satisfactory to the Depositary, which will provide for the prompt transfer to the Custodian of any dividend, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property which any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded may thereafter receive upon or in respect of such deposited Shares, or in lieu thereof, such agreement of indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary.

          At the request, risk and expense of any person proposing to deposit Shares, and for the account of such person, the Depositary may receive certificates for Shares to be deposited, together with the other instruments and payments herein specified, for the purpose of forwarding such Share certificates to the Custodian for deposit hereunder.

          Upon each delivery to a Custodian of a certificate or certificates for Shares to be deposited hereunder, together with the other documents and payments specified above, such Custodian shall, as soon as transfer and recordation can be accomplished, present such certificate or certificates to the Company or the appointed agent of the Company for transfer and registration of Shares, which may but need not be the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, for transfer and recordation of the Shares being deposited in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its nominee.

          (b) The Depositary agrees to instruct the Custodian to place all Shares accepted for deposit under this Deposit Agreement into segregated accounts separate from any Shares of the Company that may be held by such Custodian under any other depositary receipt facility relating to the Shares.

          (c) Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or at such other place or places as the Depositary shall determine.

     SECTION 2.03. Execution and Delivery of Receipts.

          (a) Upon receipt by any Custodian of any deposit hereunder (and in addition, if the transfer books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are open, the Depositary may in its sole discretion require a proper acknowledgment or other evidence from the Company that any Deposited Securities have been recorded upon the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, in the name of the Depositary or its nominee or such Custodian or its nominee), together with the other documents and payments required as specified above and pursuant to Section 2.06, such Custodian shall notify the Depositary of such deposit and the name of the person or persons to whom or upon whose written order a Receipt or Receipts are deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be evidenced thereby. Such notification shall be made by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by air courier, cable, telex or facsimile transmission.

          Upon receiving such notice from such Custodian, the Depositary or its agent, subject to this Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver to or upon the order of the person or persons named in the notice delivered to the Depositary, a Receipt or Receipts, registered in the name or names requested by such person or persons, and evidencing in the aggregate the number of American Depositary Shares to which such person or persons are entitled, but, in either case, (A) only upon payment to the Depositary or Custodian of all taxes and governmental charges and fees payable in connection with such deposit and the transfer of the deposited Shares and (B) subject to the other terms of this Deposit Agreement and the provisions of the Company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association and of the Deposited Securities.

     SECTION 2.04. Transfer of Receipts; Combination and Split-up of Receipts.

          The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, including payment of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09, shall register transfers of Receipts on its transfer books from time to time upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt, by the Owner in person or by a duly authorized attorney, properly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer and duly stamped as may be required by the laws of the State of New York and of the United States. Thereupon the Depositary shall execute a new Receipt or Receipts and deliver the same to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the fees of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09.

          The Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, shall upon surrender of a Receipt or Receipts for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination of such Receipt or Receipts, execute and deliver a new Receipt or Receipts for any authorized number of American Depositary Shares requested,evidencing

the same aggregate number of American Depositary Shares as the Receipt or Receipts surrendered.

          The Depositary may appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Owners or persons entitled to Receipts and will be entitled to protection and indemnity to the same extent as the Depositary.

     SECTION 2.05. Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Shares.

          Subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, upon surrender at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary of a Receipt for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, and upon payment of the fee of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts as provided in Section 5.09 and payment of all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such surrender and withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, the Deposited Securities and applicable law, the Owner of such Receipt acting for itself or on behalf of the Beneficial Owner or DTC participant, as the case may be, shall be entitled to delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities at the time represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt. Delivery of such Deposited Securities may be made by the delivery of (x) certificates in the name of such Owner or as ordered by him or certificates properly endorsed or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer to such Owner or as ordered by him, and (y) any other securities, property and cash to which such Owner is then entitled in respect of such Receipts to such Owner or as ordered by him. Such delivery shall be made, as hereinafter provided, without unreasonable delay.

          A Receipt surrendered for such purposes may be required by the Depositary to be properly endorsed in blank or accompanied by a proper instrument or instruments of transfer in blank, and if the Depositary so requires, the Owner thereof shall execute and deliver to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be delivered to or upon the written order of a person or persons designated in such order. Thereupon the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to deliver at the London office of such Custodian, subject to Sections 2.06, 3.01 and 3.02 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, to or upon the written order of the person or persons designated in the order delivered to the Depositary as above provided, the amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, except that the Depositary may make delivery to such person or persons at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary

of any dividends or distributions with respect to the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, or of any proceeds of sale of any dividends, distributions or rights, which may at the time be held by the Depositary.

          At the request, risk and expense of any Owner so surrendering a Receipt or any Beneficial Owner submitting such written instructions for delivery, and for the account of such Owner or Beneficial Owner, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward any cash or other property (other than rights) comprising, and forward a certificate or certificates and other proper documents of title for, the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt to the Depositary for delivery at the Corporate Trust Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Owner, by air courier, cable, telex or facsimile transmission.

     SECTION 2.06. Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer and Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.

          (a) As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt or withdrawal of any Deposited Securities or the adjustment of the Depositary’s records to reflect the deposit of Shares or any such transfer, split-up, combination, surrender or withdrawal, the Depositary, Custodian or Registrar may require payment (or, with respect to any applicable stamp taxes, evidence satisfactory to the Depositary that any such amounts have been fully paid) from the presenter of the Receipt or the depositor of Shares of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to the Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees as herein provided, may require the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature and may also require compliance with any regulations the Depositary may establish consistent with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, this Section 2.06.

          (b) The delivery of Receipts against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or deposits of Shares may be refused, or the transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer, split-up or combination of outstanding Receipts, or the surrender of outstanding Receipts for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities, may be suspended generally or in particular instances, during any period when the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, are closed, or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body or commission, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement, or for any other reason.

     The Depositary shall comply with reasonable written instructions of the Company not to accept for deposit hereunder any Shares identified in such instructions at such times and under such circumstances as may be specified in such instructions in order to facilitate the Company’s compliance with the securities laws of the United States.

     SECTION 2.07. Lost Receipts.

          In case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt of like tenor in exchange and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt. Before the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt in substitution for a destroyed, lost or stolen Receipt, the Owner thereof shall have (a) filed with the Depositary (i) a request for such execution and delivery before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser and (ii) a sufficient indemnity bond and (b) satisfied any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary.

     SECTION 2.08. Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts.

          All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be cancelled by the Depositary. The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so cancelled.

     SECTION 2.09. Pre-Release.

          Notwithstanding Section 2.03 hereof, the Depositary may execute and deliver Receipts prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.02 (a “Pre-Release”). The Depositary may, pursuant to Section 2.05, deliver Shares upon the receipt and cancellation of Receipts which have been Pre-Released, whether or not such cancellation is prior to the termination of such Pre-Release or the Depositary knows that such Receipt has been Pre-Released. The Depositary may receive Receipts in lieu of Shares in satisfaction of a Pre-Release. Each Pre-Release will be (a) preceded or accompanied by a written representation from the person to whom Receipts or Shares are to be delivered, that such person, or its customer, owns the Shares or Receipts to be remitted, as the case may be, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice, and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The number of American Depositary Shares which are outstanding at any time as a result of Pre-Release will not normally exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Shares deposited hereunder; provided , however , that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate.

          The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in connection with the foregoing.

     ARTICLE 3.CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF OWNERS OF RECEIPTS.

     SECTION 3.01. Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information.

          Any person presenting Shares for deposit or any Owner or Beneficial Owner of a Receipt may be required from time to time to file with the Depositary or the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, exchange control approval, proof of the identity of any person legally or beneficially interested in the Receipt and the nature of such interest, proof of compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and provisions of or governing Deposited Securities and the terms of this Deposit Agreement or such information relating to the registration on the books of the Company or the Foreign Registrar, if applicable, of the Shares presented for deposit or other information, to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, as the Depositary may deem necessary or proper. The Depositary may withhold the delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution of any dividend or distribution of rights or of the sale proceeds thereof or the delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed or such representations and warranties made.

     SECTION 3.02. Liability of Owner for Taxes.

          If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable (including, without limitation, any applicable stamp taxes) by the Custodian or the Depositary with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by any Receipt, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Owner or Beneficial Owner of such Receipt to the Depositary. The Depositary may refuse to effect registration of transfer of such Receipt (or any split-up or combination thereof) or any withdrawal of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt until such payment is made, and may withhold any dividends or other distributions in respect of any Deposited Securities, or may sell for the account of the Owner or Beneficial Owner thereof any part or all of the Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by such Receipt, and may apply such dividends or other distributions or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge and the Owner or Beneficial Owner of such Receipt shall remain liable for any deficiency.

     SECTION 3.03. Warranties on Deposit or Withdrawal of Shares.

          Every person depositing Shares under this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that (i) such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and free of any preemptive rights of the holders of outstanding Shares, (ii) the person making such deposit is duly authorized to do so and (iii) upon deposit, the Shares are not, and American Depositary Shares

representing the Shares will not be, Restricted Securities. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of such Shares and the issuance of Receipts.

     ARTICLE 4.THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES.

     SECTION 4.01. Cash Distributions.

          Whenever the Depositary shall receive any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall, if such cash is received in Foreign Currency, subject to the provisions of Section 4.05, convert such dividend or distribution into Dollars and shall distribute the amount thus received (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09) to the Owners entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities evidenced by Receipts held by them respectively; provided , however , that in the event that the Company or the Depositary shall be required to withhold and does withhold from such cash dividend or such other cash distribution an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Owner of the Receipts evidencing American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Owner a fraction of one cent. Any such fractional amounts shall be rounded to the nearest whole cent and so distributed to Owners entitled thereto. The Company or its agent will remit to the appropriate governmental agency in England all amounts withheld and owing to such agency. The Depositary will forward to the Company or its agent such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agent to file necessary reports with governmental agencies, and the Depositary or the Company or its agent may file any such reports necessary to obtain benefits under the applicable tax treaties for the Owners of Receipts.

     SECTION 4.02. Distributions Other than Cash, Shares or Rights.

          Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.11 and 5.09, whenever the Depositary shall receive any distribution other than a distribution described in Section 4.01, 4.03 or 4.04, the Depositary shall cause the securities or property received by it to be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto, after the deduction or upon payment of any fees and expenses of the Depositary or any taxes or other governmental charges, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities evidenced by Receipts held by them respectively, in any manner that the Depositary may deem equitable and practicable for accomplishing such distribution; provided , however , that if in the opinion of the Depositary such distribution cannot be made proportionately among the Owners entitled thereto, or if for any other reason (including, but not limited to, any requirement that the Company or the Depositary withhold an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges or that such

securities must be registered under the Securities Act in order to be distributed to Owners or Beneficial Owners) the Depositary deems such distribution not to be feasible, the Depositary may adopt such method as it may deem equitable and practicable for the purpose of effecting such distribution, including, but not limited to, the public or private sale of the securities or property thus received, or any part thereof, and the net proceeds of any such sale (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09) shall be distributed by the Depositary to the Owners entitled thereto, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.01. Each beneficial owner of Receipts or Shares so distributed shall be deemed to have acknowledged that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act and to have agreed to comply with the restrictions on transfer described in the form of legend set forth in Section 2.01 hereof.

     SECTION 4.03. Distributions in Shares.

          If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Depositary may distribute to the Owners of outstanding Receipts entitled thereto, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities evidenced by Receipts held by them respectively, additional Receipts evidencing an aggregate number of American Depositary Shares representing the amount of Shares received as such dividend or free distribution, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement with respect to the deposit of Shares and the issuance of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts, including the withholding of any tax or other governmental charge as provided in Section 4.11 and the payment of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09. The Depositary may withhold any such distribution of Receipts if it has not received satisfactory assurances from the Company that such distribution does not require registration under the Securities Act or is exempt from registration under the provisions of such Act. In lieu of delivering Receipts for fractional American Depositary Shares in any such case, the Depositary shall sell the amount of Shares represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds, all in the manner and subject to the conditions described in Section 4.01. If such adjustments on the records of the Depositary are not so made or additional Receipts are not so distributed, each American Depositary Share shall thenceforth also represent the additional Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby.

     SECTION 4.04. Rights.

          In the event that the Company shall offer or cause to be offered to the holders of any Deposited Securities any rights to subscribe for additional Shares or any rights of any other nature, the Depositary shall have discretion as to the procedure to be followed in making such rights available to any Owners or in disposing of such rights on behalf of any Owners and making the net proceeds available to such Owners or, if by the terms of such rights offering or for any other reason, the Depositary may not either make

such rights available to any Owners or dispose of such rights and make the net proceeds available to such Owners, then the Depositary shall allow the rights to lapse. If at the time of the offering of any rights the Depositary determines in its discretion that it is lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners but not to other Owners, the Depositary may distribute to any Owner to whom it determines the distribution to be lawful and feasible, in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by such Owner, warrants or other instruments therefor in such form as it deems appropriate.

          In circumstances in which rights would otherwise not be distributed, if an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments in order to exercise the rights allocable to the American Depositary Shares of such Owner hereunder, the Depositary will make such rights available to such Owner upon written notice from the Company to the Depositary that (a) the Company has elected in its sole discretion to permit such rights to be exercised and (b) such Owner has executed such documents as the Company has determined in its sole discretion are reasonably required under applicable law.

          If the Depositary has distributed warrants or other instruments for rights to all or certain Owners, then upon instruction from such an Owner pursuant to such warrants or other instruments to the Depositary from such an Owner to exercise such rights, upon payment by such Owner to the Depositary for the account of such Owner of an amount equal to the purchase price of the Shares to be received upon the exercise of the rights, and upon payment of the fees and expenses of the Depositary and any other charges as set forth in such warrants or other instruments, the Depositary shall, on behalf of such Owner, exercise the rights and purchase the Shares, and the Company shall cause the Shares so purchased to be delivered to the Depositary on behalf of such Owner. As agent for such Owner, the Depositary will cause the Shares so purchased to be deposited pursuant to Section 2.02 of this Deposit Agreement, and shall, pursuant to Section 2.03 of this Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver Receipts to such Owner. In the case of a distribution pursuant to the second paragraph of this section, such Receipts shall be legended in the manner provided in Section 2.01 and in accordance with applicable U.S. laws, and shall be subject to the appropriate restrictions on sale, deposit, cancellation, and transfer under such laws.

          If the Depositary determines in its discretion that it is not lawful and feasible to make such rights available to all or certain Owners, it may sell the rights, warrants or other instruments in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held by the Owners to whom it has determined it may not lawfully or feasibly make such rights available, and allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of the fees and expenses of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09 and all taxes and governmental charges payable in connection with such rights and subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement) for the account of such Owners otherwise entitled to such rights,

warrants or other instruments, upon an averaged or other practical basis without regard to any distinctions among such Owners because of exchange restrictions or the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise.

          The Depositary will not offer rights to Owners unless both the rights and the securities to which such rights relate are either exempt from registration under the Securities Act with respect to a distribution to all Owners or are registered under the provisions of such Act; provided , that nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall create any obligation on the part of the Company to file a registration statement with respect to such rights or underlying securities or to endeavor to have such a registration statement declared effective. If an Owner of Receipts requests the distribution of warrants or other instruments, notwithstanding that there has been no such registration under such Act, the Depositary shall not effect such distribution unless it has received an opinion from recognized counsel in the United States for the Company upon which the Depositary may rely that such distribution to such Owner is exempt from such registration.

          The Depositary shall not be responsible for any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such rights available to Owners in general or any Owner in particular.

     SECTION 4.05. Conversion of Foreign Currency.

          Whenever the Depositary shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, and if at the time of the receipt thereof the Foreign Currency so received can in the judgment of the Depositary be converted on a reasonable basis into Dollars and the resulting Dollars transferred to the United States, the Depositary shall convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such Foreign Currency into Dollars, and such Dollars shall be distributed to the Owners entitled thereto or, if the Depositary shall have distributed any warrants or other instruments which entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, then to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments, as applicable, upon surrender thereof for cancellation in whole or in part depending upon the terms of such warrants or other instruments. Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Owners on account of exchange restrictions, the date of delivery of any Receipt or otherwise and shall be net of any expenses of conversion into Dollars incurred by the Depositary as provided in Section 5.09.

          If such conversion or distribution can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable.

          If at any time the Depositary shall determine in its judgment that any Foreign Currency received by the Depositary is not convertible on a reasonable basis into

Dollars transferable to the United States, or if any approval or license of any government or agency thereof which is required for such conversion is denied or in the opinion of the Depositary is not obtainable, or if any such approval or license is not obtained within a reasonable period as determined by the Depositary, the Depositary may distribute the Foreign Currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency) received by the Depositary to, or in its discretion may hold such Foreign Currency uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled to receive the same.

          If any such conversion of Foreign Currency, in whole or in part, cannot be effected for distribution to some of the Owners entitled thereto, the Depositary may in its discretion make such conversion and distribution in Dollars to the extent permissible to the Owners entitled thereto and may distribute the balance of the Foreign Currency received by the Depositary to, or hold such balance uninvested and without liability for interest thereon for the respective accounts of, the Owners entitled thereto.

     SECTION 4.06. Fixing of Record Date.

          Whenever any cash dividend or other cash distribution shall become payable or any distribution other than cash shall be made, or whenever rights shall be issued with respect to the Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient, the Depositary shall fix a record date which shall be the same date as the record date, if any, applicable to the Deposited Securities, or as close thereto as practicable (a) for the determination of the Owners who shall be (i) entitled to receive such dividend, distribution or rights or the net proceeds of the sale thereof or (ii) entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or (b) on or after which each American Depositary Share will represent the changed number of Shares. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4.01 through 4.05 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, the Owners on such record date shall be entitled, as the case may be, to receive the amount distributable by the Depositary with respect to such dividend or other distribution or such rights or the net proceeds of sale thereof in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts held by them respectively and to give voting instructions, to exercise the rights of Owners hereunder with respect to such changed number of Shares and to act in respect of any other such matter.

     SECTION 4.07. Voting of Deposited Securities.

          Upon receipt of notice of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, if requested in writing by the Company, the Depositary shall, as

soon as practicable thereafter, mail to the Owners a notice, the form of which notice shall be in the sole discretion of the Depositary, which shall contain (a) such information as is contained in such notice of meeting received by the Depositary from the Company, (b) a statement that the Owners as of the close of business on a specified record date will be entitled, subject to any applicable provision of English law and of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by their respective American Depositary Shares and (c) a statement as to the manner in which instructions may be given , including an express indication that, if the Depositary does not receive instructions, it may deem instructions to have been given under the last sentence of this paragraph to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company. Upon the written request of an Owner of a Receipt on that record date, received on or before the date established by the Depositary for the purpose, the Depositary shall endeavor, in so far as practicable, to vote or cause to be voted the amount of Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by that Receipt in accordance with the instructions set forth in that request. The Depositary shall not vote or attempt to exercise the right to vote that attaches to Deposited Securities other than in accordance with instructions received from Owners or deemed received under the following sentence. If (i) the Company made a request to the Depositary as contemplated by the first sentence of this Section 4.07 and complied with the following paragraph of this Section 4.07 and (ii) no instructions are received by the Depositary from an Owner with respect to an amount of Deposited Securities represented by the American Depositary Shares evidenced by that Owner’s Receipts on or before the date established by the Depositary for that purpose, the Depositary shall deem that Owner to have instructed the Depositary to give, and the Depositary shall give, a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company with respect to that amount of Deposited Securities, except that that such instruction shall not be deemed to have been given and the Depositary shall not give a discretionary proxy with respect to any matter as to which the Company informs the Depositary (and the Company agrees to provide that information as promptly as practicable in writing, if applicable) that (x) the Company does not wish to receive a discretionary proxy, (y) substantial opposition exists or (z) the matter materially and adversely affects the rights of holders of Shares.

          In order to give Owners a reasonable opportunity to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to Deposited Securities, if the Company will request the Depositary to act under the preceding paragraph, the Company shall give the Depositary notice of any such meeting or solicitation and details concerning the matters to be voted upon not less than 45 days prior to the meeting date or date for giving such proxies or consents.