Authorization; Enforcement; Validity. (i) ​ has the requisite corporate power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Transaction Documents, and to issue the Purchase Shares in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof, # the execution and delivery of the Transaction Documents by ​ and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, including without limitation, the reservation for issuance and the issuance of the Purchase Shares issuable under this Agreement, have been duly authorized by ​'s Board of Directors and no further consent or authorization is required by ​, its Board of Directors or its stockholders, # this Agreement has been, and each other Transaction Document shall be on the Commencement Date, duly executed and delivered by ​ and # this Agreement constitutes, and each other Transaction Document upon its execution on behalf of ​, shall constitute, the valid and binding obligations of ​ enforceable against ​ in accordance with their terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by general principles of equity or applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally, the enforcement of creditors' rights and remedies. The Board of Directors of ​ has approved the resolutions (the “Signing Resolutions”) substantially in the form as set forth as [Exhibit A] attached hereto to authorize this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. The Signing Resolutions are valid, in full force and effect and have not been modified or supplemented in any respect. ​ has delivered to ​ a true and correct copy of signed minutes of a meeting of the Board of Directors of ​ at which the Signing Resolutions were duly adopted by the Board of Directors or a unanimous written consent adopting the Signing Resolutions executed by all of the members of the Board of Directors of ​. Except as set forth in this Agreement and approval of NYSE AMERICAN LLC, no other approvals or consents of ​’s Board of Directors and/or stockholders is necessary under applicable laws and ​’s Certificate of Incorporation and/or Bylaws to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, including, but not limited to, the issuance of the Purchase Shares.

Validity and Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan, which shall remain in full force and effect, and any prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

VALIDITY OF AGREEMENT. The Company shall be precluded from asserting in any Proceeding, including, without limitation, an action under Clause 11(a) above, that the provisions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable or that there is insufficient consideration for this Agreement and shall stipulate in court that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement.

The various provisions of this Agreement are severable, and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

Validity of Elections. The Bank reserves the right to determine the validity of all deferral elections made under the Plan in accordance with the requirements of applicable law, including [Section 409A] of the Code. If the Bank, in its sole discretion, determines that an election is not valid under applicable law, the Bank may treat the deferral election as null and void, and cause the Bank to pay Compensation to the affected Participant without regard to the Participant’s deferral election. By way of example and not limitation, if the Bank determines that a deferral election should have been made at a time that is earlier than the time it is actually made (even if such election would otherwise comply with the terms of the Plan), the Bank will have the right to disregard such election and to have the Bank pay the Compensation to the affected Participant without regard to the Participant’s deferral election.

Validity and Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

Benefit Continuation for Continuing Employees. Buyer shall waive or cause to be waived all limitations as to preexisting conditions or waiting periods with respect to participation and coverage requirements applicable to each Continuing Employee under any employee benefit plans, programs and policies of Buyer or any Affiliate thereof in which Continuing Employees participate (or are eligible to participate) that are “welfare benefit plans” (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) to the same extent that such conditions and waiting periods were satisfied or waived under the comparable Seller Benefit Plan immediately prior to the Closing. In addition, Buyer shall provide or cause to be provided each Continuing Employee with credit for any copayments and deductibles paid during the plan year commencing immediately prior to the Closing Date in satisfying any applicable copayments, deductibles or other out-of-pocket requirements under any such welfare benefit plans for such plan year, subject to the provision by Seller or Seller’s insurance carrier to Buyer of valid evidence of such amounts in the format requested by Buyer.

Service Credit for Continuing Employees. Buyer shall provide, or cause to be provided, to each Continuing Employee credit for all service prior to the Closing Date, to the same extent as such service was credited under the comparable Seller Benefit Plan, for all purposes under Buyer’s severance and paid time off plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such service shall not be recognized to the extent that it results in the duplication of benefits. For the avoidance of doubt, the Continuing Employees shall not receive credit for service prior to the Closing Date for purposes of any of Buyer’s pension or retiree welfare plans.

Continuing Enforceability; Conflict Between Documents. Except as otherwise modified by this Agreement, the Note and each of the other Transaction Documents shall remain in full force and effect, enforceable in accordance with all of its original terms and provisions. This Agreement shall not be effective or binding unless and until it is fully executed and delivered by Investor and Borrower. If there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement, on the one hand, and the Note or any other Transaction Document, on the other hand, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

Scio Diamond provides an orientation program for new directors that includes written materials, oral presentations, and meetings with senior members of management. The orientation program is designed to familiarize new directors with Scio Diamond’s business and strategy. The Board believes that ongoing education is important for maintaining a current and effective Board. Accordingly, the Board encourages directors to participate in ongoing education, as well as participation in accredited director education programs. The Board will reimburse directors for expenses incurred in connection with these education programs.