Financial Services UK

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Experts See Risks In FCA's Soft-Touch Response To AI

The Financial Conduct Authority has so far failed to detail its rules on artificial intelligence and is moving toward a reliance on companies to self-report, putting it at risk of deferring excessively to the sector it regulates, legal experts say.
July 17, 2024
Qatari Fund Sues Sheikh Over Stalled 70-Carat Diamond Deal

A Qatari investment fund has accused a Sheikh of breaching a promise to sell it a 70-carat diamond, telling a London court that he cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a force majeure event allowing his family to avoid handing over the jewel.
July 17, 2024
Labour Revives Arbitration Bill To Reform £2.5B Industry

The U.K. will introduce a new Arbitration Bill reviving legislation shelved in the runup to the election as part of plans to support the country's position as an international center for dispute resolution, the government said in the King's Speech on Wednesday.
July 17, 2024
UK Gov't Moves Ahead With Accounting Reform Bill

The new Labour Government said on Wednesday that it will push ahead with draft legislation to toughen up regulation of auditors to help to reduce the risk of corporate failures.
July 17, 2024
EU Financial Watchdogs Set Up Cyber-Risk Info Exchange

European Union financial watchdogs said Wednesday that they will establish a framework for authorities in the bloc and international bodies to share information on cyberthreats and incidents that pose a risk to financial stability.
July 17, 2024
Labour Gov't To Make Fiscal Rules Law, Empower OBR

The new Labour government will legislate to write into law the Treasury's long-held fiscal rules and grant new powers to the Office for Budget Responsibility to scrutinize policy, according to plans confirmed in the King's Speech on Wednesday.
July 17, 2024
Gov't Plans Pensions Bill To Consolidate Retirement Savings

The new Labour government said on Wednesday that it will introduce a new Pensions Schemes Bill that aims to consolidate the cluttered retirement savings sector.
July 16, 2024
Tycoon's Pilot Says Feds' Stock Tip Claims Don't Add Up

A private pilot who used to work for convicted insider trader and U.K. billionaire Joe Lewis is arguing federal prosecutors can't use allegations that his own trades were suspicious to ramp up a sentence for a separate tax evasion charge.
July 16, 2024
Ex-Goldman Banker Denies Bribe Charges After Extradition

A former Goldman Sachs banker pled not guilty Tuesday before a Brooklyn federal magistrate judge to charges that he bribed Ghanaian officials, after losing an extradition battle in British courts.
July 16, 2024
Ex-Mozambique Official Accused Of $2B Fraud As Trial Opens

Federal prosecutors told a Manhattan jury Tuesday that Mozambique's former finance minister took $7 million in bribes in a "corrupt" plot to enrich himself and defraud investors after $2 billion in state-backed development projects flopped.
July 16, 2024
Self-Styled Bitcoin Founder Could Face Criminal Prosecution

A London judge referred Craig Wright to prosecutors on Tuesday for potential perjury charges after concluding that the Australian computer scientist had repeatedly lied about inventing bitcoin for financial gain.
July 16, 2024
Labour Government Urged To Introduce Green Tax Credits

The new Labour government should introduce tax credits for businesses investing in green energy technology, according to a tax expert from the Confederation of British Industry.
July 16, 2024
Financial Intel Firm To Buy Fund Ratings Biz RSMR

Fintel PLC said Tuesday it has conditionally bought Rayner Spencer Mills Research Ltd. for an undisclosed amount of money, making the purchase of the fund ratings and research agency its ninth acquisition in 12 months.
July 16, 2024
Donre Advisory Enters Liquidation After FCA Scrutiny

The Financial Conduct Authority said Tuesday that Donre Advisory Ltd. has entered liquidation two months after it stopped the inadequately resourced investment adviser from conducting business.
July 16, 2024
Fraudster Allegedly Used COVID Loans For PA's Legal Fees

A British businessman imprisoned for theft and false accounting scammed the government-backed pandemic funding scheme to repay the legal costs of an associate after she became embroiled in efforts to claw back his assets, prosecutors said Tuesday.
July 16, 2024
Top UK Court Rules Deal Advice Fees Are Not Tax Deductible

Britain's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that £2.5 million ($3.2 million) paid in advisory fees by an investment company to Deutsche Bank and others is not tax-deductible as the expenses were "capital in nature" spent trying to dispose of a Dutch business.
July 15, 2024
SEC Says German Flouting Discovery In $150M Fraud Probe

A German national suspected of receiving proceeds of a $150 million "pump and dump" scheme from his son can't pick and choose when to avail himself of U.S. legal processes, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said Monday as it seeks to recover funds.
July 15, 2024
UK Watchdogs Look At Digital Wallet Risks, Benefits

Two U.K. regulators on Monday said they are looking into the benefits and risks of digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal for people and businesses, after noticing "a seismic shift" in payment methods in the country.
July 15, 2024
Insurers Investing In AI Due To New Accounting Standard

Insurance firms are increasing investments in artificial intelligence and other technologies after implementing a new accounting standard for data reporting, according to a survey by Big Four firm PwC published Monday.
July 15, 2024
Labour Gov't Urged To Consult On Green Finance Rules

A trade body for financial institutions has urged the Labour government to consult before imposing extra rules on firms' plans to transition to the green economy to avoid liability risks.
July 15, 2024
SFO Beats Trader's Costs Demand Over Delayed Disclosure

A London court found on Monday that the Serious Fraud Office is not on the hook for the legal fees incurred by a former trader in biodiesel fuel after his trial, where he was acquitted of fraud charges, was delayed more than a year amid problems with disclosure.
July 15, 2024
Retail Complaints To EU Cross-Border Investment Firms Soar

The number of complaints from retail clients against investment firms operating across borders within the European Union and its economic area soared to 7,507 in 2023, a 31% increase from the 5,733 complaints recorded the previous year, according to a report on Monday by the bloc's markets watchdog.
July 15, 2024
PayPal Fined $27.3M By Polish Competition Watchdog

Poland's competition regulator said Monday that it has fined PayPal 106.6 million Polish złoty ($27.3 million) for using prohibited provisions in its user agreement that could lead to sanctions against users that are unpredictable.
July 15, 2024
WH Ireland Completes £5M Sale Of Capital Markets Division

Wealth manager WH Ireland Group PLC said on Monday that it has finalized the £5 million ($6.5 million) sale of its capital markets division to financial services company Zeus Capital Ltd.
July 12, 2024
Lawyer Beats Allegation He Helped Tycoon Duck Asset Freeze

A leading Monégasque lawyer did not conspire to help an embattled Taiwanese shipping magnate evade an asset freezing order, as he "honestly believed" he was entitled to transfer $26 million from the sale of the businessman's villas, a London judge ruled Friday.
July 12, 2024
UK Litigation Roundup: Here's What You Missed In London

This past week in London has seen the owner of the Lambretta scooter brand Innocenti SA embroiled in a trademark dispute with a property developer, a clash between two art dealers over a collection of tapestries, Telecom Italia pursue a debt claim against a competing telecommunications company, and performing arts trade union Equity hit a casting directory for charging unfair subscription fees on actors. Here, Law360 looks at these and other new claims in the U.K.

Editor's Picks

UK Draft Pay Fraud Rules Open Tricky Legal Liabilities

The government's new draft legislation, which will give banks longer to investigate suspicions of fraud before they send payments instructed by customers, will create a wave of new legal liabilities and lead to regulatory hurdles, according to lawyers.
FCA Fires Warning Shot Over City's Consumer Duty Failings

The Financial Conduct Authority has sent out a fresh warning to financial services companies highlighting how some of them are failing to comply with its Consumer Duty regime. But experts have told Law360 that the expectations are unclear.
5 Questions for Osborne Clarke Partner Nick Price

The Payment Systems Regulator is due to start forcing payment firms to reimburse victims of scams who have been tricked by a fraudster into transferring them money. Here, Law360 talks to Osborne Clarke partner Nick Price about how this new regime could mean uncertainty about compliance.

Expert Analysis

What EU Net-Zero Act Will Mean For Tech Manufacturers

Martin Weitenberg at Eversheds Sutherland discusses the European Council’s recently adopted Net-Zero Industry Act and provides an overview of its main elements relevant for net-zero technology manufacturers, including benchmarks, enhanced permitting procedures and the creation of new institutions.
Complying With EU Commission's Joint Purchasing Rules

One year after the European Commission released its revised guidelines on horizontal cooperation agreements, attorneys at Crowell & Moring reflect on the various forms such agreements can take, and how parties can avoid structuring arrangements that run afoul of competition law.
Tips For Implementing EU Sustainability Reporting Guidance

Lawyers at Sullivan & Cromwell discuss the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group’s recently published guidance on double materiality assessments and offer takeaways on achieving a sustainability directive-compliant process that could enhance clarity and consistency among multinational stakeholders.
Why Ukraine Aircraft Insurance Case Failed To Take Off In UK

In Aercap v. PJSC Insurance, the High Court decided the claimants could not avoid an exclusive jurisdiction clause and advance their case in England rather than Ukraine, and the reasoning is likely to be of relevance in future jurisdiction disputes, say Abigail Healey and Genevieve Douglas at Quillon Law.
Labour's 'Fresh Approach' To Tackling Financial Crime

Given newly elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s background as a criminal defense lawyer and director of public prosecutions, an administration with strong views on financial crime can be expected, and revenue raising and proceeds of crime recovery are likely to be at the forefront, says Matthew Cowie at Rahman Ravelli.
Unpacking Pressures, Trends Affecting Global Supply Chains

A recent HSBC report reveals a number of trends and challenges for global supply chains in the current uncertain geopolitical landscape, and with constant emerging opportunities, companies that can stay informed, be proactive and adapt to change will be well positioned to succeed, says Michelle Craven-Faulkner at Shoosmiths.
What UK Digital Markets Act Will Mean For Competition Law

The new Digital Markets Act’s reforms will strengthen the Competition and Markets Authority's investigatory and enforcement powers across its full remit of merger control and antitrust investigations, representing a seismic shift in the U.K. competition and consumer law landscape, say lawyers at Travers Smith.
What New UK Labour Gov't Is Planning For Financial Services

Following the Labour Party’s U.K. election win on July 4, the new government has already announced its key missions for economic growth, green investment and tax reform, so affected Financial Conduct Authority-regulated entities should be prepared for change and on the lookout for details, says Rachael Healey at RPC.
Companies Trading In The EU Should Heed Mondelēz Ruling

The European Commission’s recent €337.5 million fine of Mondelēz is the latest decision targeting restrictions on EU cross-border trade, and serves as a warning to companies active in the region to check their contracts and practices for illegal restraints, and to perform audits to ensure compliance, says Matthew Hall at McGuireWoods.
Why Reperforming Loan Securitization In UK And EU May Rise

The recently published new U.K. securitization rules will largely bring the U.K.’s nonperforming loan regime in line with the European Union, and together with the success of EU and U.K. banks in reducing loan ratios, reperforming securitizations may feature more prominently in relevant markets going forward, say lawyers at Morgan Lewis.
What French Watchdog Ruling Means For M&A Landscape

Although ultimately dismissed due to lack of evidence, the French competition authority’s recent post-closing review of several nonreportable mergers is a landmark case that highlights the increased complexity of such transactions, and is further testament to the European competition authorities’ willingness to expand their toolkit to address below-threshold M&As, say lawyers at Cleary.
New Directors' Code Of Conduct May Serve As Useful Guide

Although the Institute of Directors’ current proposal for a voluntary code of conduct is strongly supported by its members, it must be balanced against the statutory requirement for directors to promote their company’s success, and the risk of claims by shareholders if their decisions are influenced by wider social considerations, says Matthew Watson at RPC.
Exploring The EU's Draft Standards On Crypto Authorization

The European Securities and Markets Authority’s recently published draft standards aim to promote fair competition and a safer environment for crypto providers and investors, detailing precisely the information to be provided to national authorities in charge of screening the acquisitions of a qualifying holding, says Mathieu de Korvin at Norton Rose.
How FCA Guidance Aligns With Global Cyberattack Measures

The U.K. Financial Conduct Authority’s recent guidance on preparing for cyberattacks aligns with the global move by financial regulators to focus on operational resilience, highlighting the importance of proactive strategies and robust resilience frameworks to mitigate disruptions, while observing a disappointing level of engagement by the industry, say Alix Prentice and Grace Ncube at Cadwalader.
Takeaways From Regulators' £61.6M Citigroup Trading Fine

Following the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority’s recent significant fining of Citigroup for its catastrophic trading error, and with more enforcement likely, institutions should update their controls and ensure system warnings do not become routine and therefore disregarded, says Abdulali Jiwaji at Signature Litigation.