The FCA has published a consultation paper (CP20/20) describing its approach to the authorisation of international firms.  In the context of Brexit, the FCA’s comments will be relevant to firms (including insurers and insurance intermediaries) who have established EEA hubs to mitigate the loss of passporting rights, while continuing to conduct some of their activities … Read more

Re Legal and General Assurance Society Ltd and another company [2020] EWHC 2299 (Ch) On 7 September 2020, the mature-savings business (the “Business”) of Legal and General Assurance Society Limited (“LGAS”) transferred to ReAssure Limited (“ReAssure”). That transfer was the result of an agreement signed in December 2017, under which ReAssure agreed to purchase the … Read more

With UK/EU deal negotiations in the balance and a no-deal scenario still possible, a panel of experts from Herbert Smith Freehills, the Financial Conduct Authority and McCann FitzGerald (for the Ireland perspective) will review the current state of play on Brexit and what comes next for the regulation of cross-border financial services. The webinar will take place between 2-3pm on 23 July 2020. Read more

The PRA and FCA have set out their expectations for UK-regulated firms under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime ("SMCR") in the light of the COVID-19 outbreak. A joint statement from the PRA and FCA applies to dual-regulated firms, while the FCA has published a separate statement for solo-regulated firms. Read more

We are pleased to invite you to our weekly webinar series discussing the business challenges presented by the COVID-19 outbreak. The third webinar, entitled, ‘People: the challenges being faced’, will be broadcast on 7 April 2020 and will focus on a number of the key issues currently being faced by UK employers, as well as the government support that may be available. The webinar will be chaired by James Palmer, Chair and Senior Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills, who will be joined by expert colleagues who will share their experience and views on these issues.   Read more

The COVID-19 pandemic is creating significant health, social and economic challenges world-wide, forcing governments and businesses to assess the impact on their people, operations and governance. Our latest "at a glance guide" considers some of the announcements made to date by EIOPA, the PRA and the FCA.  These cover a range of issues including actions that insurers should be taking to protect customers and employees, encouragement to firms to preserve capital and the extension of reporting deadlines. Our COVID-19 crisis hub aims to help our clients navigate their way through the many legal and regulatory issues that COVID-19 creates for their businesses Read more

The UK Government has published guidance requesting that schools and other educational institutions provide limited care for children whose parents have roles that are critical to the COVID-19 response. This includes parents working in certain financial services roles, including in the insurance sector, that are essential to the functioning of the economy (referred to as … Read more