There is no claim, dispute. action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, against or affecting the business of the Company. or challenging the validity or propriety of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, at law or in equity or admiralty or before any federal, state, local, foreign or other governmental authority, board, agency, commission or instrumentality, nor to the knowledge of the Company, has any such claim, dispute, action, suit, proceeding or investigation been pending or threatened, during the twelve (12) month period preceding the date hereof. There is no outstanding judgment, order, writ, ruling, injunction, stipulation or decree of any court, arbitrator or federal, state, local, foreign or other governmental authority, board, agency, commission or instrumentality, against or materially affecting the business of the Company. The Company has not received any written or verbal inquiry from any federal, state, local, foreign or other governmental authority, hoard, agency, commission or instrumentality concerning the possible violation of any law, rule or regulation or an) matter disclosed in respect of its business.