Financial services investigations and enforcement

The financial services industry is subject to intensive regulation, with active regulators and proactive reporting obligations. Our support is often crucial from the outset: acting quickly can avoid later criticism.

Financial services regulation is a complex and ever-changing area. When issues arise, we help our clients understand the possible regulatory implications and work with them to decide on strategy. Our success is measured by the number of matters closed without further action by the regulator. However, when enforcement proceedings cannot be avoided, we help our clients to navigate this technical area in order to achieve the best possible outcome for them, whether that’s settlement and resolution, or challenging the regulator’s decision to the fullest extent possible.

Our experience

Whatever the issue, we can help. We advise and represent a broad range of clients in the financial services sector. Whether household names, smaller businesses or senior employees, we can advise on:

Self-reporting obligations and notifications to the Prudential Regulation Authority, Financial Conduct Authority and other bodies
Section 166 skilled person reviews
Independent investigations and reviews
Defence of enforcement proceedings (including scoping meetings, information and document requirement notices, regulatory interviews, the Regulatory Decisions Committee and the Upper Tribunal)
All issues arising from investigations including confidentiality, privilege and document management
Remediation steps and improvements to systems and controls
Past business reviews and customer contact exercises

What do others say?

“Rachel McDonnell is commercially strong but always courteous, managing her clients and team effectively.”

Legal 500

Our clients

Our lawyers have experience acting for a range of financial services clients, including:

Banks
Insurers
MGAs
Brokers
Senior employees
Pensions administrators
Fund managers
Independent financial advisers

We've also advised other entities that, in addition to their primary business activities, have some involvement in the financial services sector (for example, consumer credit or insurance related activities).

Our lawyers

We understand the regulatory context in which our clients operate and the motivations of their regulators. We also have a deep understanding of the litigation risks arising from regulatory issues and so can advise on all key risks. Rachel McDonnell has over a decade of experience working on regulatory matters.