Our lawyers support an broad and diverse client base of regulated businesses operating in and from the UK, including:

• Banks
• Wealth managers
• Asset management firms
• Payment services businesses
• Retail platforms
• Independent financial advisers (IFAs)
• Corporate finance advisors
• Placement agents
• Fintech companies
• Senior executives and other individuals

We help our clients to comply with the UK financial services legal and regulatory regime, whether that means adapting to regulatory changes, applying the Consumer Duty, launching a new service or integrating a new team.

We regularly draft and review service agreements, terms and conditions and bespoke product documentation. We also advise on key matters including governance and the Senior Managers & Certification regime, outsourcing and third-party arrangements, financial promotions and other regulatory matters.

To support our clients, we offer a topical webinar programme, email briefings and bespoke in-house training. We also play an active role in several leading industry associations.

Regulated investment funds 
We have a market-leading authorised funds practice. We act for authorised fund managers – both host and in-house managers – as well as investment managers looking to launch new funds. We cover the full range of FCA authorised funds, including UCITS, NURS, QIS, PAIF, CAIF, FAIF and LTAF, across legal structures including authorised unit trusts, open-ended investment companies and authorised contractual schemes.

We advise on the structuring, establishment and documentation for such funds, as well as life-cycle changes such as mergers and terminations. We regularly advise on regulatory issues affecting both the funds themselves and their managers.

Private investment funds
In the private funds space, we act for new entrants, small to mid-sized fund managers, and sophisticated family offices in the structuring and establishment of a range of onshore and offshore funds. Our practice is asset-agnostic, and the fund managers and funds that we act for invest in a range of assets including private equity, venture capital, property, and debt. We also advise family offices, large institutions, and charitable investors looking to invest in private funds. (link to guide)s market, including emerging Fintech businesses.

Regulated lending
We help private banks – and subsidiaries of overseas banks based in the UK – navigate the UK’s consumer lending regulatory regime. Our team advises whether a lending arrangement is regulated, and the implications of the UK regulated mortgage and consumer credit regime.

We draft and negotiate lending and security documentation, and advice throughout the life of a loan, from initial contact with the consumer to event-driven changes, termination, arrears, forbearance and enforcement. We are also frequently consulted on the review of lending procedures, policies and manuals.

Payments and e-money 
We advise banks, payment service providers and e-money institutions on payments regulation, including compliance with the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (PSRs) and the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (EMRs).

We work with clients on regulatory changes, including the new Authorised Push Payment (APP) Fraud Reimbursement Scheme. Our work includes drafting and amending terms and conditions – covering those for payment services or e-money – and advising on whether providers and their accounts are in scope of the rules. We also provide regulatory advice to new entrants to the payment.