Bingham’s UK Financial Services Regulatory Practice provides UK, European and US-based clients with advice on all aspects of dealing with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA).
Our team is experienced in enforcement & investigations and advisory work, and provides clients with advice and assistance in a number of areas, including:
- FCA and PRA authorisations and approvals;
- Regulatory compliance and reporting;
- Building and presenting a cooperative and positive relationship with the FCA and PRA;
- Supervisory interviews;
- Thematic reviews;
- Product intervention;
- Information requests;
- Market conduct issues;
- FCA investigations and enforcement proceedings;
- Regulatory Decisions Committee hearings;
- Upper Tribunal hearings;
- Strategic guidance on changes to financial services legislation;
- EU financial services regulations and directives;
- The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;
- Planning business models so as to meet the regulatory framework;
- Developing compliant investment management strategies;
- Structuring of investment management and advisory platforms;
- Structuring onshore and offshore funds;
- Fund marketing and distribution;
- Change of control issues;
- Remuneration; and
- Training.
Chambers UK 2013 describes the team as “compact yet fully formed” and notes that “its ability to bring practical FSA experience is much appreciated by its clientele.”
IFLR 1000 also recognises the team’s knowledge of the regulators, noting that key partner Helen Marshall, and counsel Rosemarie Paul have worked in the past at the Financial Services Authority and that “These links to the regulator lead into the firm’s work which is focused around advising clients on FSA procedure and investigations.”
FCA Chief Executive Martin Wheatley has indicated that the FCA will move away from purely compliance-based regulation: “I want the FCA to use its new powers and remit to bring a more human face to the regulation of financial services. A more pragmatic, sophisticated approach to regulation.” This holistic approach means that an understanding of the regulator is more important than ever and is something the Bingham team is well-placed to assist with.