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Exhibit 99.(i)
[MAYER, BROWN & PLATT LETTERHEAD]
STUART M. STRAUSS main telephone
Direct Dial (212) 506-2695 212-506-2500
[email protected] main fax
212-262-1910
September 22, 2000
The streetTracks(R) Series Trust
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is being furnished to The streetTracks(R) Series Trust, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), in connection with the Registration
Statement on Form N-1A (the "Registration Statement") to be filed by the Trust
with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of registering
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") an indefinite
number of shares of beneficial interest of $.001, par value of the Trust (the
"Shares").
We have examined such statutes, regulations, corporate records and other
documents and reviewed such questions of law as we deem necessary or
appropriate for the purposes of this opinion.
As to matters of Massachusetts law contained in this opinion, we have
relied upon the opinion of Ropes & Gray dated September 22, 2000.
Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that proper trust
proceedings have been taken by the Trust so that the Shares have been validly
authorized; and when the Shares are issued and sold in accordance with the
terms of the Distribution Agreement referred to in the Registration Statement,
the Shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable (except for
the potential liability of shareholders described in the Trust's Statement of
Additional Information under the caption "Capital Stock and Shareholder
Reports").
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MAYER, BROWN & PLATT
The streetTracks(R) Series Trust
September 22, 2000
Page 2 We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us under the caption "General
Information" in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement.
We do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose
consent is required under Section 7 of the 1933 Act or the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.
Very truly yours,
/s/ Mayer, Brown & Platt
