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Defense of Claim
Defense of Claim contract clause examples

In connection with any claim giving rise to indemnity resulting from or arising out of any claim or legal proceeding by a person or entity who is not a party to this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party at its sole cost and expense may, upon written notice to the Indemnified Party, assume the defense of any such claim or legal proceeding if it acknowledges to the Indemnified Party in writing its obligations to indemnify the Indemnified Party with respect to all elements of such claim. The Indemnified Party shall be entitled to participate in (but not control) the defense of any such action, with its counsel and at its own expense. If the Indemnifying Party does not assume the defense of any such claim or resulting litigation within thirty (30) days after the date that notice of such claim is received from the Indemnified Party, # the Indemnified Party may defend against such claim or litigation, in such manner as it may deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, settling such claim or litigation, after giving notice of the same to the Indemnifying Party, on such terms as the Indemnified Party may deem appropriate, and # the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in (but not control) the defense of such action, with its counsel and at its own expense. If the Indemnifying Party thereafter seeks to question the manner in which the Indemnified Party defended such third party claim or the amount or nature of any such settlement, the Indemnifying Party shall have the burden to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the Indemnified Party did not defend or settle such third party claim in a reasonably prudent manner.

If the indemnification sought pursuant hereto involves a claim made by a Third Party against the Indemnified Party (a "Third Party Claim"), the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled to participate in the defense of such Third Party Claim and, if it so chooses within forty-five (45) days after its receipt of an Indemnification Claim Notice ("Notice Period"), to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim with counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Third Party Claim to the extent such claims involve or seek injunctive or other relief that does not involve solely monetary obligations or involve a criminal matter, and provided, further that the Indemnified Party shall be permitted to take any actions necessary in the defense of such Third Party Claim during such Notice Period, if the Indemnifying Party has not yet assumed the defense of the Third Party Claim, and when practicable, the Indemnified Party shall provide prior notice of such action to the Indemnifying Party. Should the Indemnifying Party so elect to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with the defense thereof. If the Indemnifying Party assumes such defense, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to participate in the defense thereof and to employ counsel, at its own expense, separate from the counsel employed by the Indemnifying Party, it being understood that the Indemnifying Party shall control such defense. The Indemnifying Party shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel employed by the Indemnified Party for any period during which the Indemnifying Party has not assumed the defense thereof. If the Indemnifying Party chooses to defend or prosecute a Third Party Claim, all of the Parties hereto shall cooperate in the defense or prosecution thereof. Such cooperation shall include # the retention and (upon the Indemnifying Party's request) the provision to the Indemnifying Party of records and information which are reasonably relevant to such Third Party Claim and reasonably available to the Indemnified Party, and # making relevant employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder; provided, that the Indemnifying Party shall reimburse the Indemnified Party for all its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection therewith.

In the event of any claim for indemnification resulting from or in connection with any claim by a third party, other than a Tax claim, which shall be governed by [Section 5.3], the Indemnifying Party shall be entitled, at its sole expense, either # to participate in defending against such claim, or # to assume the entire defense with counsel which is selected by it and which is reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, provided that # the Indemnifying Party exercises their right to assume the defense pursuant to this [Section 9.4(b)] by delivery of written notice to the Indemnified Party within twenty (20) days of its receipt of the applicable Indemnity Notice, # the Indemnifying Party agrees in writing that it does not and will not contest its responsibility for indemnifying the Indemnified Party in respect of such claim or proceeding, and # no settlement shall be made and no judgment consented to without the prior written consent of the Indemnified Party which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed (except that no such consent shall be required if the claimant is entitled under the settlement to only monetary damages actually paid by the Indemnifying Party). If, however, # the claim, action, suit or proceeding would, if successful, result in the imposition of damages for which the Indemnifying Party would not be solely responsible, or # representation of both parties by the same counsel would otherwise be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them, then the Indemnifying Party shall not be entitled to assume the entire defense and each party shall be entitled to retain counsel who shall cooperate with one another in defending against such claim. In the case of Clause (x) of the preceding sentence, the Indemnifying Party shall be obligated to bear only that portion of the expense of the Indemnified Party’s counsel that is in proportion to the Damages indemnifiable by the Indemnifying Party compared to the total amount of the third-party claim against the Indemnified Party.

The party obligated to indemnify another party hereunder is referred to herein as the Indemnifying Party and the party entitled to indemnification hereunder is referred to herein as the Indemnified Party. An Indemnified Party shall give prompt written notice to the Indemnifying Party of the assertion by the Indemnified Party or by a third party of any liability which the Indemnified Party has reason to believe might give rise to an Indemnity Claim; provided, however, that any failure to provide such prompt written notice shall limit the Indemnified Party’s right to indemnification hereunder only if and to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is prejudiced by such failure. Such notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the nature of such action or claim, and shall include a copy of any written complaint, summons, correspondence or other communication from the party asserting the claim or initiating the action. As to any such Indemnity Claim which involves a third party, if the Indemnifying Party agrees to indemnify the Indemnified Party, the Indemnifying Party shall assume and thereafter control the defense of such Indemnity Claim. The Indemnified Party shall be entitled, together with the Indemnifying Party, to participate in the defense, compromise or settlement of any such matter through the Indemnified Party’s own attorneys and at its own expense, but the Indemnifying Party shall have control thereof, and the Indemnified Party, at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, shall provide such cooperation and such access to its books, records and properties as the Indemnifying Party shall reasonably request with respect to such third party claims. The Indemnifying Party shall not make any settlement of any claims on behalf of the Indemnified Party, other than claims strictly for monetary damages as to which the Indemnifying Party agrees to be solely responsible, without the written consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. In the event that the Indemnifying Party, within 20 days after notice of an Indemnity Claim which involves a third party, fails to assume the defense thereof, the Indemnified Party shall have the right to undertake the defense, compromise or settlement of such claim for the account of and at the expense of the Indemnifying Party, subject to the right of the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party at any time prior to the settlement, compromise or final determination thereof; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party shall not, without the Indemnifying Party’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, settle or compromise any such claim or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any such claim. This Section shall survive the Closing.

If the Indemnifying Party acknowledges its obligations to indemnify and defend the Indemnified Party against the Third Party Claim within fifteen (15) days after having been notified by the Indemnified Party of the existence of such Third Party Claim, then the Indemnifying Party shall defend such Third Party Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings will be diligently prosecuted to a final conclusion or will be settled, at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party; provided, however, that the Indemnifying Party shall not enter into any settlement that imposes injunctive or other equitable relief against the Indemnified Party or does not fully and finally release the Indemnified Party from all claims, unless consented to by the Indemnified Party. The Indemnified Party will cooperate fully in such defense, including by making available to the Indemnifying Party all books, records and documents within the Indemnified Party’s control or that it can reasonably obtain relating to the Third Party Claim, and all costs or expenses incurred by it at the request of the Indemnifying Party shall be paid by the Indemnifying Party. The Indemnified Party may, at its cost and expense, at any time to prevent default or protect its interests, file any pleadings or take any other action that the Indemnified Party reasonably believes to be necessary or appropriate to protect its interests due to the failure of the Indemnifying Party to diligently defend such Action. The Indemnified Party, at its expense, may participate in, but not control (except as provided in the subsequent paragraph), any defense or settlement of any Third Party Claim conducted by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Section 11.4(b).

Procedure. Either party seeking indemnification under this Agreement (the “Indemnified Party”) shall promptly notify the party required to provide indemnification hereunder (the “Indemnifying Party”) of the existence of a claim or action (or threatened claim or action) and shall afford the Indemnifying Party the opportunity to participate in any compromise, settlement, litigation or other resolution of such claim, or action, or, at the election of the Indemnified Party, shall require the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of any such claim or action; provided, however, that in the event the Indemnified Party elects to require Indemnifying Party to assume such defense, Indemnifying Party shall afford Indemnified Party the opportunity to participate fully in such defense at Indemnified Party’s expense. Indemnified Party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, at its own expense. Neither party shall compromise, settle or otherwise resolve such claim or litigation without the other party’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided, however, that failure to respond within fifteen (15) business days following receipt of written notice at the address set forth in this Agreement shall constitute consent to the proposed compromise, settlement or resolution.

In General. At its option, the indemnifying Party may assume the defense of any Third Party Claim by giving written notice to the Indemnified Party within […​…] after the indemnifying Party’s receipt of an Indemnification Claim Notice. The assumption of the defense of a Third Party Claim by the indemnifying Party shall not be construed as an acknowledgment that the indemnifying Party is liable to indemnify the Indemnified Party in respect of the Third Party Claim, nor shall it constitute a waiver by the indemnifying Party of any defenses it may assert against the Indemnified Party’s claim for indemnification. Upon assuming the defense of a Third Party Claim, the indemnifying Party may appoint as lead counsel in the defense of the Third Party Claim any legal counsel selected by the indemnifying Party which shall be reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party. If the indemnifying Party assumes the defense of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall immediately deliver to the indemnifying Party all original notices and documents (including court papers) received by the Indemnified Party in connection with the Third Party Claim. Should the indemnifying Party assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, except as provided in Section 11.4.2, the indemnifying Party shall not be liable to the Indemnified Party for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such Indemnified Party in connection with the analysis, defense or settlement of the Third Party Claim unless specifically requested in writing by the indemnifying Party. If it is ultimately determined that the indemnifying Party is not obligated to indemnify, defend or hold harmless the Indemnified Party from and against the Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall reimburse the indemnifying Party for any and all Losses incurred by the indemnifying Party in its defense of the Third Party Claim.

Subject to the provisions of [Section 17.02(c)], upon receipt of a Claims Notice, the Indemnifying Party shall have the right to assume the defense and control of Third Party Claims. In the event the Indemnifying Party exercises such right to assume the defense and control of a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall have the right but not the obligation reasonably to participate in (but not control) the defense of Third Party Claims with its own counsel and at its own expense unless # the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party shall have mutually agreed in writing to the retention of the same counsel, or # the named parties to any such Third Party Claim (including any impleaded parties) include the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would, in the opinion of counsel to such Indemnified Party, be impermissible under the applicable code of professional responsibility due to actual or potential differing interests between the Indemnifying Party and Indemnified Party, including situations in which there are one or more legal defenses available to the Indemnified Party that are different from, or additional to, those available to the Indemnifying Party, in which case the Indemnifying Party will bear such expense of the Indemnified Party. Any election by an Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim must be delivered by the Indemnifying Party to the Indemnified Party within thirty (30) Business Days after receipt of the Indemnified Party’s Claims Notice, and failure on the part of the Indemnifying Party to deliver such notice within such thirty (30) Business Day period shall be deemed an election not to assume the defense of such Third Party Claim. If the Indemnifying Party elects to assume the defense of a Third Party Claim, then the Indemnified Party shall reasonably cooperate with the Indemnifying Party in the defense of any such Third Party Claim.

Indemnifying Party”) written notice of such Third-Party Claim, but failure to so notify the Indemnifying Party will not relieve the Indemnifying Party from any liability it may have to such Indemnified Party hereunder except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is materially prejudiced by such failure. Such notice shall state the nature and the basis of such Third-Party Claim to the extent then known. The Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend and settle, at its own expense and by its own counsel who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party, any such matter as long as the Indemnifying Party pursues the same diligently and in good faith. If the Indemnifying Party undertakes to defend or settle, it shall promptly, and in no event later than 10 days, notify the Indemnified Party of its intention to do so, and the Indemnified Party shall cooperate with the Indemnifying Party and its counsel in all commercially reasonable respects in the defense thereof and the settlement thereof. Such cooperation shall include, but shall not be limited to, furnishing the Indemnifying Party with any books, records and other information reasonably requested by the Indemnifying Party and in the Indemnified Party’s possession or control. Such cooperation of the Indemnified Party shall be at the cost of the Indemnifying Party. After the Indemnifying Party has notified the Indemnified Party of its intention to undertake to defend or settle any such asserted liability, and for so long as the Indemnifying Party diligently pursues such defense, the Indemnifying Party shall not be liable for any additional legal expenses incurred by the Indemnified Party in connection with any defense or settlement of such asserted liability; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party shall be entitled # at its expense, to participate in the defense of such asserted liability and the negotiations of the settlement thereof and # if # the Indemnifying Party has, within 10 Business Days of when the Indemnified Party provides written notice of a Third-Party Claim, failed # to assume the defense or employ counsel reasonably acceptable to the Indemnified Party or # to notify the Indemnified Party of such assumption or # if the defendants in any such action include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party and counsel to the Indemnified Party shall have concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to the Indemnified Party that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Party or if the interests of the Indemnified Party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of the Indemnifying Party, then the Indemnified Party shall have the right to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defense and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the expenses and fees of such separate counsel and other expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the Indemnifying Party as incurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Indemnifying Party shall not settle any indemnified claim without the consent of the Indemnified Party, unless the settlement thereof imposes no liability or obligation on, and includes a complete release from liability of, and does not include any admission of wrongdoing or malfeasance by, the Indemnified Party.

If the Indemnifying Party does not choose to defend against a claim by a third party, the Indemnified Party may defend in such manner as it reasonably deems appropriate or settle the claim (after giving notice thereof to the Indemnifying Party) on such terms as the Indemnified Party may deem appropriate, and the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to periodic reimbursement of defense expenses incurred and prompt indemnification from the Indemnifying Party in accordance with this Article.

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