UK post-Brexit reform: Financial Services Act 2021

27 May, 2021
On 29 April 2021, the Financial Services Act 2021 received royal assent. The Act is a milestone in implementing the UK Government’s wider Future Regulatory Framework initiative and represents the first major step towards HM Government’s objective of maintaining the competitive position of the UK financial services industry whilst capitalising on new opportunities following the end of the Brexit transition period. Read more

The FCA’s proposed new ‘Consumer Duty’ – what does it mean?

14 May, 2021
The FCA has published its long-awaited consultation on 'duty of care' which has morphed into a proposed package of measures intended to deliver better outcomes for consumers – together a new 'Consumer Duty'. The consultation, which is open until 31 July 2021, proposes: a new Consumer Principle that provides an overarching standard of conduct; and a set of Cross‑cutting Rules and four Outcomes that support the Consumer Principle. The proposals apply to regulated products and services sold to 'retail clients' which would include SMEs. Read more

The PRA’s expectations on outsourcing and third party risk management

10 May, 2021
At the end of March, the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) published the Policy Statement (PS7/21) and the Supervisory Statement (SS2/21) which set out its expectations of PRA-regulated firms regarding outsourcing and third party risk management. The publications are part of the wider operational resilience policy package released jointly with the Bank of England (the Bank) and the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). In this post, we briefly explain the background to these publications and review the implications for both PRA-regulated firms and service providers. Read more

Duty of Care – countdown to the much anticipated FCA consultation

10 May, 2021
Way back in 2019, the FCA published a Feedback Statement, summarising responses to its July 2018 Discussion Paper on the proposed introduction of a 'duty of care' and setting out its next steps.  In that Feedback Statement, the FCA said it would publish a further paper seeking detailed views on specific options for change. We are now expecting the much anticipated consultation this month. Read more

Court of Appeal decision in Adams v Options: the meaning of “advice” and potential implications for financial product mis-selling claims

07 May, 2021
In the context of an investor’s claim against the provider of his self-invested personal pension (SIPP) under s.27 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), the Court of Appeal has provided guidance on the question of what constitutes “advice” on investments for the purpose of article 53 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (RAO). Read more