| 1 | Approved persons regime: overview An overview of the approved persons regime under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), which, among other things, outlines who approved persons are, what controlled functions are and the standards of conduct approved persons are expected to satisfy. The note also links to more detailed materials on key aspects of the approved persons regime. | Practice note: overview | Maintained |
| 2 | Hot topics: Corporate governance in financial services firms This note provides a brief explanation of why corporate governance is a "hot topic" in the financial services sector, outlines the key UK, EU and international developments in this area, and contains a timeline setting out milestones for future development of these initiatives. The following multi-jurisdictional guide is also available to PLC Financial Services' subscribers: Corporate Governance and Directors' Duties. It brings together a range of information on current cross-border issues and includes country-specific Q&A guides. Each jurisdiction is described in a separate chapter, written by one of the leading firms on the subject in that jurisdiction. | Practice note: overview | Maintained |
| 3 | Approved persons regime: applying for approval An overview of the process for applying for approval of approved persons. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 4 | Approved persons regime: controlled functions for approved ... An overview of the controlled functions that may be performed by approved persons working for, or on behalf of, PRA-authorised firms. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 5 | Approved persons regime: FCA-controlled functions for ... An overview of the controlled functions that may be performed by approved persons working for, or on behalf of, FCA-authorised firms. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 6 | Approved persons regime: future changes and developments A summary of the key changes and developments that are likely to affect the approved persons regime over the next few years. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 7 | Approved persons regime: Intensive supervision of SIF ... An overview of the more intensive approach taken towards the approval and supervision of persons performing significant influence functions (SIFs) within FCA-authorised firms and PRA-authorised firms. This note covers: What a SIF is. Why intensive supervision of SIF-holders came about. How this supervisory approach evolved under the FSA's regime. Key aspects of the approval and supervision of SIFs. Potential forthcoming changes to the SIF framework. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 8 | Approved persons regime: notifying changes relating to ... An overview of how firms should notify the PRA and the FCA of certain changes relating to approved persons, including cessations to perform controlled functions and internal job changes. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 9 | Approved persons regime: Statements of Principle and Codes ... An overview of the Statements of Principle and Codes of Practice for Approved Persons issued by the FCA and the PRA under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA). These set out the FCA and the PRA's expectations of the conduct of approved persons. They are located in the APER module of the FCA and PRA Handbooks. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 10 | Approved persons regime: the fit and proper test An overview of the fit and proper test for approved persons as set out in the FIT module of the FCA and PRA Handbooks. Candidates for approval must satisfy these standards in order to be granted approval to perform specified controlled functions for firms and, once approved, approved persons must continue to satisfy them on an ongoing basis. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 11 | CP10/28: FSA's mortgage distribution and disclosure ... This practice note outlines the FSA's key proposals for reforming distribution and disclosure in the mortgage market, as set out in its consultation paper, "Mortgage Market Review: Distribution & Disclosure" (CP10/28), which was published on 16 November 2010. CP10/28 forms part of the FSA's ongoing mortgage market review (MMR). For more information on the MMR, see Practice note, Hot topics: FSA's review of its mortgage regime. Please note the law stated date of this practice note. It is not maintained. | Practice notes | 16-Nov-2010 |
| 12 | DP09/3: FSA's mortgage market review proposals This practice note outlines the FSA's findings from its mortgage market review (MMR) and its proposals for regulatory reform, as set out in its discussion paper entitled: "Mortgage Market Review" (DP09/3), published on 19 October 2009. | Practice notes | 19-Oct-2009 |
| 13 | Enforcement: disclosure issues This practice note considers the disclosure issues arising where a firm or individual is being investigated by the FCA. It is part of a practical guide to the FCA enforcement process, written by PLC Financial Services. For an index to the FCA enforcement process practical guide, see Practice note, A practical guide to the FCA enforcement process: index. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 14 | Enforcement: employment issues and media relations This practice note considers the employment and media relations issues which may arise in relation to, and as a result of, an FCA investigation. It is part of a practical guide to the FCA enforcement process, written by PLC Financial Services. For an index to the FCA enforcement process practical guide, see Practice note, A practical guide to the FCA enforcement process: index. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 15 | Enforcement: investigation process and practical tips This practice note provides an overview of the investigation process once a case has been referred to the FCA's enforcement function. It sets out some practical tips for firms and individuals who become subject to this process. This practice note is part of a practical guide to the FCA enforcement process, written by PLC Financial Services. For an index to the FCA enforcement process practical guide, see Practice note, A practical guide to the FCA enforcement process: index. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 16 | Enforcement: market abuse and insider dealing investigations This practice note considers the FCA's investigatory and enforcement powers in respect of the offences of market abuse and insider dealing. It is part of a practical guide to the FCA enforcement process, written by PLC Financial Services. For an index to the FCA enforcement process practical guide, see Practice note, A practical guide to the FCA enforcement process: index. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 17 | Enforcement: notice of and preparation for investigation This practice note outlines how the FCA notifies firms and individuals that they are to be subject to an FCA investigation. It suggests ways in which those under investigation can prepare and deal with some of the issues arising. This practice note is part of a practical guide to the FCA enforcement process, written by PLC Financial Services. For an index to the FCA enforcement process practical guide, see Practice note, A practical guide to the FCA enforcement process: index. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 18 | Enforcement: preventing a referral to enforcement This practice note considers the key notification requirements to which FCA authorised persons are subject and the supervisory and thematic visits which the FCA carries out. It outlines the action which an authorised person can take, in consultation with the FCA, to seek to avoid a referral to the FCA's Enforcement and Financial Crime division in relation to any identified concerns. Although this practice note refers throughout to firms, it is also relevant to individuals authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA). This practice note is part of a practical guide to the FCA enforcement process, written by PLC Financial Services. For an index to the FCA enforcement process practical guide, see Practice note, A practical guide to the FCA enforcement process: index. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 19 | Enforcement: referral to enforcement This practice note outlines the process by which matters are referred to, or otherwise come to the attention of, the FCA's Enforcement and Financial Crime division. It also identifies how the FCA uses enforcement as a regulatory tool and selects which cases to investigate. This practice note is part of a practical guide to the FCA enforcement process, written by PLC Financial Services. For an index to the FCA enforcement process practical guide, see Practice note, A practical guide to the FCA enforcement process: index. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 20 | Enforcement: senior management investigations This practice note outlines the FCA's powers and the process it follows to investigate senior management. It suggests ways in which firms and individuals can deal with FCA investigations of senior management. This practice note is part of a practical guide to the FCA enforcement process, written by PLC Financial Services. For an index to the FCA enforcement process practical guide, see Practice note, A practical guide to the FCA enforcement process: index. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 21 | FCA professionalism requirements An outline of the FCA's professionalism requirements, introduced as part of the retail distribution review (RDR). The note looks at the role of the FCA, accredited bodies, firms and retail investment advisers in delivering the professionalism standards. It outlines FCA Handbook requirements relating to the issuing of statements of professional standing (SPS), qualification standards, continuing professional development (CPD) and ethical standards, as well as professional standards data reporting requirements. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 22 | Financial Services Act 2010 An overview of the key provisions of the Financial Services Act 2010 (FS Act) which received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010. For further information on the progress of the FS Act prior to Royal Assent, see Legislation tracker: Financial Services Act 2010. | Practice notes | 31-Dec-2011 |
| 23 | FSA controlled functions An overview of the controlled functions underpinning the FSA's approved persons regime. On 1 April 2013, the UK regulatory structure changed: the FSA was replaced by two new regulators, the FCA and the PRA, which divided up the FSA controlled functions between them. For information on the new FCA and PRA controlled functions, see Practice notes, Approved persons regime: FCA-controlled functions for approved persons at FCA authorised firms and Approved persons regime: controlled functions for approved persons at PRA-authorised firms. | Practice notes | 31-Mar-2013 |
| 24 | FSA expectations of non-executive directors in ensuring ... This practice note provides an overview of the FSA's expectations of non-executive directors (NEDs) and outlines its proposals relating to NEDs, which are aimed at improving corporate governance within regulated firms. | Practice notes | 31-Dec-2012 |
| 25 | FSA reform of client assets regime (2008-11): thematic work ... This note outlines the work of the FSA, from 2008-2011, to strengthen its client assets requirements in response to the issues highlighted by the financial crisis and the collapse of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (LBIE). The key primary source material table in this document contains links to key primary source material and related PLC Financial Services legal updates. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all relevant materials. | Practice notes | 20-Jan-2012 |
| 26 | FSA's review of its mortgage regime This practice note outlines the FSA's review of its mortgage regime (known as the mortgage market review or MMR) and tracks key developments up until 31 March 2013. The key primary source material table in this note contains links to key primary source material and related PLC Financial Services Legal updates. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all relevant materials published by interested parties. Please note the law stated date of this practice note. It is not maintained. | Practice notes | 31-Mar-2013 |
| 27 | Legislation tracker: Financial Services Act 2010 This legislation tracker monitors the progress of the Financial Services Act 2010 (FS Act) which received Royal Assent on 8 April 2010 and the statutory instruments to be made under the FS Act. For more information on the FS Act, see Practice note, Financial Services Act 2010. | Practice notes | 31-Dec-2010 |
| 28 | NAPF corporate governance policy and guidelines on voting An analysis of the NAPF corporate governance policy and voting guidelines which are designed to assist investors in interpreting the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code when assessing a company's compliance with it. This note covers the December 2012 version of the NAPF corporate governance policy and voting guidelines, published on 4 December 2012. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 29 | Regulation of insurance in the UK An overview of the regulatory treatment of insurance business in the United Kingdom. The following multi-jurisdictional guide is also available to PLC Financial Services' subscribers: Insurance and Reinsurance Handbook. This guide brings together a range of information on cross-border issues and includes country-specific Q&A guides. Each jurisdiction is described in a separate chapter, written by one of the leading firms on the subject in that jurisdiction. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 30 | Role of the MLRO An overview of the applicable law and regulations applying to a firm's money laundering reporting officer (MLRO) and the MLRO's key responsibilities. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 31 | SIF interviews at the FCA and PRA: a practical guide In this practice note, the Financial Regulation Group at Slaughter and May provides a practical guide to interviews for candidates applying to perform significant influence functions (SIFs) within authorised firms. | Practice notes | Maintained |
| 32 | The Walker Review: status of recommendations This note sets out information about the Walker Review (the 2009 review, led by Sir David Walker, of corporate governance in UK banks and other financial institutions), its terms of reference and the final recommendations reached. It also includes details about the status of each of the recommendations made about corporate governance in UK banks and other financial institutions. This includes information about boards of directors, the role of institutional shareholders, risk governance and remuneration. | Practice notes | Maintained |