FCA Solicitors

Speak to our FCA investigation solicitors today

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding FCA investigations, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

You can also email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk or fill out our online enquiry form and we will get back to you quickly.

Our expertise with FCA investigations

Our team have over 45 years of experience in handling all manner of regulatory and criminal law matters, including those stemming from FCA investigations. We have a combination of expertise and experience which we are able to put to good use when supporting individuals and firms who are under investigation from the FCA.

FCA investigations involve many moving parts and can be extremely complex. Depending on the circumstances, the FCA may see fit to investigate various allegations, including money laundering, insider dealing and serious fraud. Having access to specialist support during these proceedings is essential.

Our FCA investigation solicitors are able to provide immediate advice and representation on a 24/7 basis to anyone who is subject to an investigation by the FCA.

We have a strong track record of achieving positive results for our clients, including during any court proceedings that take place in the wake of an investigation. During these proceedings, we will be able to provide the representation you need at every stage.

We are accredited by the Law Society for Criminal Litigation and have also achieved Lexcel accreditation, reflecting the high standards of our legal practice.

As a testament to our expertise and high standards of client care, our FCA investigation solicitors frequently receive referrals and recommendations from clients who have been satisfied with our legal services. Our team have been well-established for over 45 years.

Commonly asked questions about FCA investigations

What is the FCA?

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is the official conduct regulator for financial services forms and financial markets in the UK. The FCA regulates that conduct of approximately 50,000 firms in the UK. The FCA’s role is to ensure that financial markets remain far and effective for consumers.

Firms and individuals are required to be authorised or registered by the FCA in order to carry out certain activities. For authorisation to be granted, certain criteria must be fulfilled.

The FCA continue to supervise firms to ensure that they continue to meet the standards that are set after authorisation. If for any reason a firm or individual fails to meet these standards, the FCA has a range of enforcement powers at its disposal.

The FCA was set up in 2013, replacing the regulation services provided by the outgoing Financial Services Authority (FSA).

I have received a Notice of Appointment of Investigators from the FCA. What does this mean?

There are several stages to a FCA investigation, one of which being the Notice of Appointment of Investigators. Prior to this, several steps will be taken by the FCA.

At the outset of an investigation, a referral will occur, where the FCA is notified of a potential breach of their rules and regulations. After a matter is referred for investigation, the FCA’s Enforcement and Market Oversight Division will open a new case.

After the case is opened, the FCA nominate investigators. This leads to a Notice of Appointment of Investigators being sent to the individual or business under investigation.

If you have been sent a Notice of Appointment of Investigators, you can then expect scoping discussions to take place, which will typically outline while investigators have been appointed, what the FCA investigation will involve, the process that will take place and the approximate timing of each step.

The FCA may not explain everything in detail, either as a deliberate tactic, or simply because they are yet to establish more details.

What powers does the FCA have in an investigation?

The FCA have a range of powers provided to them under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA).

These include:

• Power to require information and documents from firms
• Power to require reports by ‘skilled persons’
• The power to gather information and appoint an investigator
• The power to search and seize documents or information

The Act also grants the FCA various enforcement powers, namely:

• The ability to withdraw a firm’s authorisation
• The ability to prohibit specific individuals from conducting regulated activities
• Suspension from regulated activities
• Issuing fines
• Public announcements of disciplinary action
• Applying for injunctions, restitution orders and winding-up orders
• Bringing criminal prosecutions

What are the FCA Conduct Rules (COCON)?

The FCA’s individual conduct rules set minimum standards for individual behaviour in financial services. The five rules are:

• You must act with integrity

• You must act with due skill, care and diligence
• You must be open and cooperative with the FCA, the PRA and other regulators.
• You must pay due regard to the interests of customers and treat them fairly.
• You must observe proper standards of market conduct

What is an interview under caution by the FCA?

If it is suspected that a criminal offence has taken place, an interview under caution may take place. These interviews are subject to the safeguards set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act Codes and will be ‘voluntary’ for the suspect.

You are free, and strongly recommended, to have legal representation present during interviews under caution. Anything you say in these interviews can be taken as evidence.

Contact our FCA investigation solicitors now

For urgent specialist advice, representation for a FCA investigation interview, or to speak to us confidentially about prosecutions arising from an FCA investigation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact a member of our dedicated team of FCA investigation solicitors in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

• Brent & Camden London Office: 020 7624 7771
• Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
• Birmingham Office:  0121 614 3333
• City of London: 0207 624 7771 our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for Financial Conduct Authority investigations

Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our expert FCA investigation solicitors, as well as for immediate advice and representation.

For immediate representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556 and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.