1
Exhibit 5.2
[Letterhead of Richards, Layton & Finger]
November 22, 1996
Chase Capital I
c/o The Chase Manhattan Corporation
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Re: Chase Capital I
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for The Chase
Manhattan Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Chase Capital
I, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), in connection with the matters set
forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our
examination of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or
copies of the following:
(a) The Certificate of Trust of the Trust, dated October 28,
1996, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
(the "Secretary of State") on October 28, 1996;
(b) The Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated as of October 24,
1996, among the Company, as Depositor, and the trustees of the Trust named
therein;
2
Chase Capital I
November 22, 1996
Page 2
(c) The Restated Certificate of Trust, dated November 8, 1996
(the "Certificate"), as filed in the office of the Secretary of State on
November 12, 1996;
(d) Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (the
"Registration Statement") on Form S-3, including a preliminary prospectus (the
"Prospectus") and preliminary prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus
Supplement"), relating to the __% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred
Securities, Series A, of the Trust representing preferred undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust (each, a "Preferred Security" and
collectively, the "Preferred Securities"), as proposed to be filed by the
Company, the Trust and others as set forth therein with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on or about November 12, 1996;
(e) A form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the
Trust, to be entered into among the Company, as Depositor, the trustees of the
Trust named therein, and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust (including Exhibits A, C and E thereto)
(the "Trust Agreement"), attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;
and
(f) A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated
November 22, 1996, obtained from the Secretary of State.
Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined are used as defined in the Trust Agreement.
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any
documents other than the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (f) above.
In particular, we have not reviewed any document (other than the documents
listed in paragraphs (a) through (f) above) that is referred to in or
incorporated by reference into the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed
that there exists no provision in any document that we have not reviewed that is
inconsistent with the opinions stated herein. We have conducted no independent
factual investigation of our own but rather have relied solely upon the
foregoing documents, the statements and information set forth therein and the
additional matters recited or assumed herein, all of which we have assumed to be
true, complete and accurate in all material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed
(i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals,
(ii) the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as
copies or forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.
3
Chase Capital I
November 22, 1996
Page 3
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the
Trust Agreement and the Certificate are in full force and effect and have not
been amended, (ii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, the due
creation or due organization or due formation, as the case may be, and valid
existence in good standing of each party to the documents examined by us under
the laws of the jurisdiction governing its creation, organization or formation,
(iii) the legal capacity of natural persons who are parties to the documents
examined by us, (iv) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us
has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its
obligations under, such documents, (v) the due authorization, execution and
delivery by all parties thereto of all documents examined by us, (vi) the
receipt by each Person to whom a Preferred Security is to be issued by the Trust
(collectively, the "Preferred Security Holders") of a Preferred Securities
Certificate for such Preferred Security and the payment for the Preferred
Security acquired by it, in accordance with the Trust Agreement and the
Registration Statement, and (vii) that the Preferred Securities are issued and
sold to the Preferred Security Holders in accordance with the Trust Agreement
and the Registration Statement. We have not participated in the preparation of
the Registration Statement and assume no responsibility for its contents.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware
(excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not
considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction,
including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions
are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and
orders thereunder that are currently in effect.
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such
questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered
necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications,
limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in
good standing as a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act.
2. The Preferred Securities will represent valid and, subject
to the qualifications set forth in paragraph 3 below, fully paid and
nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
3. The Preferred Security Holders, as beneficial owners of the
Trust, will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to
stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of
4
Chase Capital I
November 22, 1996
Page 4
Delaware. We note that the Preferred Security Holders may be obligated to make
payments as set forth in the Trust Agreement.
We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In
addition, we hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading "Validity
of Securities" in the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement. In giving the
foregoing consents, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of
Persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder. Except as stated above, without our prior written
consent, this opinion may not be furnished or quoted to, or relied upon by, any
other Person for any purpose.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Richards, Layton & Finger
BJK/dgw
5
[Letterhead of Richards, Layton & Finger]
November 22, 1996
Chase Capital II
c/o The Chase Manhattan Corporation
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Re: Chase Capital II
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for The Chase
Manhattan Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Chase Capital
II, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), in connection with the matters set
forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our
examination of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or
copies of the following:
(a) The Certificate of Trust of the Trust, dated October 28,
1996, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
(the "Secretary of State") on October 28, 1996;
(b) The Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated as of October 24,
1996, among the Company, as Depositor, and the trustees of the Trust named
therein;
6
Chase Capital II
November 22, 1996
Page 2
(c) The Restated Certificate of Trust, dated November 8, 1996
(the "Certificate"), as filed in the office of the Secretary of State on
November 12, 1996;
(d) Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (the
"Registration Statement") on Form S-3, including a preliminary prospectus (the
"Prospectus") and preliminary prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus
Supplement"), relating to the __% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred
Securities, Series A, of the Trust representing preferred undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust (each, a "Preferred Security" and
collectively, the "Preferred Securities"), as proposed to be filed by the
Company, the Trust and others as set forth therein with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on or about November 22, 1996;
(e) A form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the
Trust, to be entered into among the Company, as Depositor, the trustees of the
Trust named therein, and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust (including Exhibits A, C and E thereto)
(the "Trust Agreement"), attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;
and
(f) A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated
November 22, 1996, obtained from the Secretary of State.
Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined are used as defined in the Trust Agreement.
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any
documents other than the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (f) above.
In particular, we have not reviewed any document (other than the documents
listed in paragraphs (a) through (f) above) that is referred to in or
incorporated by reference into the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed
that there exists no provision in any document that we have not reviewed that is
inconsistent with the opinions stated herein. We have conducted no independent
factual investigation of our own but rather have relied solely upon the
foregoing documents, the statements and information set forth therein and the
additional matters recited or assumed herein, all of which we have assumed to be
true, complete and accurate in all material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed
(i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals,
(ii) the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as
copies or forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.
7
Chase Capital II
November 22, 1996
Page 3
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the
Trust Agreement and the Certificate are in full force and effect and have not
been amended, (ii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, the due
creation or due organization or due formation, as the case may be, and valid
existence in good standing of each party to the documents examined by us under
the laws of the jurisdiction governing its creation, organization or formation,
(iii) the legal capacity of natural persons who are parties to the documents
examined by us, (iv) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us
has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its
obligations under, such documents, (v) the due authorization, execution and
delivery by all parties thereto of all documents examined by us, (vi) the
receipt by each Person to whom a Preferred Security is to be issued by the Trust
(collectively, the "Preferred Security Holders") of a Preferred Securities
Certificate for such Preferred Security and the payment for the Preferred
Security acquired by it, in accordance with the Trust Agreement and the
Registration Statement, and (vii) that the Preferred Securities are issued and
sold to the Preferred Security Holders in accordance with the Trust Agreement
and the Registration Statement. We have not participated in the preparation of
the Registration Statement and assume no responsibility for its contents.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware
(excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not
considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction,
including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions
are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and
orders thereunder that are currently in effect.
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such
questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered
necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications,
limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in
good standing as a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act.
2. The Preferred Securities will represent valid and, subject
to the qualifications set forth in paragraph 3 below, fully paid and
nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
3. The Preferred Security Holders, as beneficial owners of the
Trust, will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to
stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of
8
Chase Capital II
November 22, 1996
Page 4
Delaware. We note that the Preferred Security Holders may be obligated to make
payments as set forth in the Trust Agreement.
We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In
addition, we hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading "Validity
of Securities" in the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement. In giving the
foregoing consents, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of
Persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder. Except as stated above, without our prior written
consent, this opinion may not be furnished or quoted to, or relied upon by, any
other Person for any purpose.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Richards, Layton & Finger
BJK/dgw
9
[Letterhead of Richards, Layton & Finger]
November 22, 1996
Chase Capital III
c/o The Chase Manhattan Corporation
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Re: Chase Capital III
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special Delaware counsel for The Chase
Manhattan Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Chase Capital
III, a Delaware business trust (the "Trust"), in connection with the matters set
forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.
For purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, our
examination of documents has been limited to the examination of originals or
copies of the following:
(a) The Certificate of Trust of the Trust, dated October 28,
1996, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
(the "Secretary of State") on October 28, 1996;
(b) The Trust Agreement of the Trust, dated as of October 24,
1996, among the Company, as Depositor, and the trustees of the Trust named
therein;
10
Chase Capital III
November 22, 1996
Page 2
(c) The Restated Certificate of Trust, dated November 8, 1996
(the "Certificate"), as filed in the office of the Secretary of State on
November 12, 1996;
(d) Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement (the
"Registration Statement") on Form S-3, including a preliminary prospectus (the
"Prospectus") and preliminary prospectus supplement (the "Prospectus
Supplement"), relating to the __% Cumulative Quarterly Income Preferred
Securities, Series A, of the Trust representing preferred undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust (each, a "Preferred Security" and
collectively, the "Preferred Securities"), as proposed to be filed by the
Company, the Trust and others as set forth therein with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on or about November 22, 1996;
(e) A form of Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the
Trust, to be entered into among the Company, as Depositor, the trustees of the
Trust named therein, and the holders, from time to time, of undivided beneficial
interests in the assets of the Trust (including Exhibits A, C and E thereto)
(the "Trust Agreement"), attached as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;
and
(f) A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated
November 22, 1996, obtained from the Secretary of State.
Initially capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise
defined are used as defined in the Trust Agreement.
For purposes of this opinion, we have not reviewed any
documents other than the documents listed in paragraphs (a) through (f) above.
In particular, we have not reviewed any document (other than the documents
listed in paragraphs (a) through (f) above) that is referred to in or
incorporated by reference into the documents reviewed by us. We have assumed
that there exists no provision in any document that we have not reviewed that is
inconsistent with the opinions stated herein. We have conducted no independent
factual investigation of our own but rather have relied solely upon the
foregoing documents, the statements and information set forth therein and the
additional matters recited or assumed herein, all of which we have assumed to be
true, complete and accurate in all material respects.
With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed
(i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals,
(ii) the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as
copies or forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.
11
Chase Capital III
November 22, 1996
Page 3
For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the
Trust Agreement and the Certificate are in full force and effect and have not
been amended, (ii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, the due
creation or due organization or due formation, as the case may be, and valid
existence in good standing of each party to the documents examined by us under
the laws of the jurisdiction governing its creation, organization or formation,
(iii) the legal capacity of natural persons who are parties to the documents
examined by us, (iv) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us
has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its
obligations under, such documents, (v) the due authorization, execution and
delivery by all parties thereto of all documents examined by us, (vi) the
receipt by each Person to whom a Preferred Security is to be issued by the Trust
(collectively, the "Preferred Security Holders") of a Preferred Securities
Certificate for such Preferred Security and the payment for the Preferred
Security acquired by it, in accordance with the Trust Agreement and the
Registration Statement, and (vii) that the Preferred Securities are issued and
sold to the Preferred Security Holders in accordance with the Trust Agreement
and the Registration Statement. We have not participated in the preparation of
the Registration Statement and assume no responsibility for its contents.
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware
(excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not
considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction,
including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions
are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and
orders thereunder that are currently in effect.
Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such
questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered
necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications,
limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Trust has been duly created and is validly existing in
good standing as a business trust under the Delaware Business Trust Act.
2. The Preferred Securities will represent valid and, subject
to the qualifications set forth in paragraph 3 below, fully paid and
nonassessable undivided beneficial interests in the assets of the Trust.
3. The Preferred Security Holders, as beneficial owners of the
Trust, will be entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to
stockholders of private corporations for profit organized under the General
Corporation Law of the State of
12
Chase Capital III
November 22, 1996
Page 4
Delaware. We note that the Preferred Security Holders may be obligated to make
payments as set forth in the Trust Agreement.
We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities
and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In
addition, we hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading "Validity
of Securities" in the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement. In giving the
foregoing consents, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of
Persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder. Except as stated above, without our prior written
consent, this opinion may not be furnished or quoted to, or relied upon by, any
other Person for any purpose.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Richards, Layton & Finger
BJK/dgw