Revised ISDA 2006 Definitions Implementing Pre-Cessation Fallbacks Expected in July 2020

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association has published a summary, prepared by the Brattle group, of the responses to the ISDA 2020 consultation on how to implement pre-cessation fallbacks in derivatives. Pre-cessation triggers would cause LIBOR-based derivative contracts to fall back to an alternative reference rate in the event that the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority deemed LIBOR no longer to be representative. ISDA sought views as to whether provisions should be included in its standard documentation specifying that rate options for LIBOR in USD, GBP, CHF, JPY and EUR all contain fallbacks that would apply upon the earlier of: (i) a permanent cessation trigger; and (ii) a 'non-representativeness' trigger.

The report confirms the preliminary findings, published by ISDA on April 15, 2020. The majority of respondents are in favor of including the pre-cessation fallbacks in ISDA documentation via either an amended version of the ISDA 2006 definitions (for new contracts) or a protocol (for legacy contracts).

In July 2020, ISDA intends to publish the amended 2006 ISDA Definitions to incorporate the fallbacks for new trades. The protocol will be published at the same time. Both the revised Definitions and the new protocol will come into effect before the end of 2020.

View the report.

View ISDA's press release.

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