HALE AND DORR LLP
COUNSELLORS AT LAW
www.haledorr.com
60 STATE STREET o BOSTON, MA 02109
617-526-6000 o FAX 617-526-5000
DRAFT, SUBJECT TO CHANGE
_____________, 2003
[ACQUIRING FUND]
[ACQUIRED FUND]
101 Huntington Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 10199
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is being delivered to you in connection with the Agreement
and Plan of Reorganization (the "Agreement") made as of __________, 2003 between
John Hancock Variable Series Trust I ("Acquiring Trust") on behalf of __________
("Acquiring Fund"), and John Hancock Declaration Trust on behalf of
_______________ ("Acquired Fund"). Pursuant to the Agreement, Acquiring Fund
will acquire all of the assets of Acquired Fund in exchange solely for (i) the
assumption by Acquiring Fund of all of the liabilities of Acquired Fund (the
"Acquired Fund Liabilities") and (ii) the issuance of Class A shares of
beneficial interest of Acquiring Fund (the "Acquiring Fund Shares") to Acquired
Fund, followed by the distribution by Acquired Fund, in liquidation of Acquired
Fund, of the Acquiring Fund Shares to the shareholders of Acquired Fund and the
termination of Acquired Fund (the foregoing together constituting the
"Transaction"). All section references, unless otherwise indicated, are to the
United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
In rendering this opinion, we have examined and relied upon (i) the
prospectus for Acquiring Fund dated _____________; (ii) the statement of
additional information for Acquiring Fund dated _____________; (iii) the
prospectus for Acquired Fund dated ______________; (iv) the statement of
additional information for Acquired Fund dated _________________; (v) the Notice
of Meeting of Shareholders Scheduled for April 16, 2003 and the accompanying
proxy statement and prospectus on Form N-14 (the "Proxy Statement"); (vi) the
Agreement; (vii) the tax representation certificates attached to the Agreement
and relevant to this opinion (the "Representation Certificates"); and (viii)
such other documents as we deemed necessary or relevant to our analysis.
In our examination of documents, we have assumed the authenticity of
original documents, the accuracy of copies, the genuineness of signatures, and
the legal capacity of signatories. We have assumed that all parties to the
Agreement and to any other documents examined by us have acted, and will act, in
accordance with the terms of such Agreement and documents and that the
Transaction will be consummated pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth
in the Agreement without the waiver or modification of any such terms and
conditions. Furthermore, we have assumed that all representations contained in
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BOSTON WASHINGTON, DC NEW YORK RESTON LONDON*
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Hale and Dorr LLP Includes Professional Corporations * anindependent joint venture law firm
Acquiring Fund
Acquired Fund
_________, 2003
Page 2
the Agreement, as well as those representations contained in the Representation
Certificates are, on the date hereof, and will be, at the consummation of the
Transaction, true and complete in all material respects, and that any
representation made in any of the documents referred to herein "to the knowledge
and belief" (or similar qualification) of any person or party is, and at the
consummation of the Transaction will be, correct without such qualification. We
have also assumed that as to all matters for which a person or entity has
represented that such person is not a party to, does not have, or is not aware
of any plan, intention, understanding, or agreement, there is no such plan,
intention, understanding, or agreement. We have not attempted to verify
independently any of the above assumptions or representations.
The conclusions expressed herein represent our judgment regarding the
proper treatment of the Transaction under the income tax laws of the United
States based upon the Code, case law, Treasury Regulations, and the rulings and
other pronouncements of the Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") in effect
on the date of this opinion. No assurances can be given that such laws will not
be amended or otherwise changed after the consummation of the Transaction or
that such changes will not affect the conclusions expressed herein.
Nevertheless, we undertake no responsibility to advise you of any developments
after the consummation of the Transaction in the application or interpretation
of the income tax laws of the United States.
Our opinion represents our best judgment regarding how a court would
decide if presented with the issues addressed herein and is not binding upon the
Service or any court. Moreover, our opinion does not provide any assurance that
a position taken in reliance on such opinion will not be challenged by the
Service and does not constitute any representation or warranty that such
position, if so challenged, will not be rejected by a court.
This opinion addresses only the specific United States federal income tax
consequences of the Transaction set forth below, and does not address any other
federal, state, local, or foreign income, estate, gift, transfer, sales, or
other tax consequences that may result from the Transaction or any other action
(including any action taken in connection with the Transaction).
On the basis of and subject to the foregoing and in reliance upon the
representations, facts and assumptions described above, we are of the opinion
that the acquisition by Acquiring Fund of all of the assets of Acquired Fund
solely in exchange for the issuance of Acquiring Fund Shares to Acquired Fund
and the assumption of the Acquired Fund Liabilities by Acquiring Fund, followed
by the distribution by Acquired Fund, in liquidation of Acquired Fund, of
Acquiring Fund Shares to Acquired Fund shareholders in exchange for their
Acquired Fund Shares and the termination of Acquired Fund, will constitute a
"reorganization" within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code.
No opinion is expressed or implied regarding the tax consequences of any
other aspects of the Transaction, including but not limited to its effect, if
any, on the availability of, or limitations on, any capital loss carryforwards
of Acquired Fund, and the payment of any Acquired Fund expenses by
____________________, except as expressly set forth above.
Acquiring Fund
Acquired Fund
_________, 2003
Page 3
This opinion is being delivered to you solely in connection with the
closing condition set forth in Section __ of the Agreement. It may not be relied
upon for any other purpose or by any other person or entity, and may not be made
available to any other person or entity without our prior written consent.
Very truly yours,
/s/HALE AND DORR LLP