Overview

The financial services sector is a key driver of the UK economy and is under constant scrutiny from regulators and the media. Our clients need financial services lawyers who can identify and capitalise on new opportunities, while responding quickly to regulatory change.

We recognise that this large and diverse sector covers a wide array of businesses with distinct concerns. Our financial services lawyers offer market-leading insight into the industry, demonstrated by our innovative work on financial products, our support for new technologies and our comprehensive knowledge of the regulatory framework.

We have dedicated teams in Edinburgh, London and Bristol, advising on funds and asset management, pensions, fintech and regulated lending and also provide wider specialist advice on financial services regulation and insurance.

With a deep pool of legal expertise at our disposal – including specialists from our banking, corporate, commercial, employment, tax and dispute teams – we are perfectly equipped to advise our clients on all transactional, advisory and contentious scenarios.

Areas of focus

Our financial services law expertise includes the following:

  • Assisting with the drafting and implementation of new financial products.
  • Non-contentious and contentious regulatory work across the financial services sector, with a particular focus on fintechs, funds and platforms.
  • Implementation of new technologies and realignment of business processes and procedures.
  • Employment matters for regulated clients, including discrimination, unfair dismissal, redundancy and disciplinary matters.
  • Procurement and outsourcing of services.
Experience

Providing a fixed cost service to Royal Bank of Scotland plc for the review of various marketing and promotional materials for compliance with relevant FSA requirements.

Advising BNP Paribas Securities Services on various legal and regulatory issues concerning its authorised fund administration business, Investment Fund Services Limited. This included the provision of advice for standard documentation used in the business as well as various legal and regulatory issues arising from the venture. We also advised on the establishment of the related SIPP and wrap service.

Advising Sanlam Financial Services on the establishment of its new support business for authorised retail funds in the UK. This included the provision of full legal and regulatory support on the FCA application process and the provision of supporting documentation.

Providing opinions to Royal Bank of Scotland and various financial institutions regarding compliance with BIPRU in relation to real estate collateral, and advising Sarasin & Partners LLP on its tier 2 capital structures including the provision of a legal opinion in relation to compliance with GENPRU.

Advising various businesses including Svenska Handelsbanken on the application of the Banking Conduct of Business Rules (BCOBS) and the Payment Services Regulations (PSR).

Advising Standard Chartered Bank on the employment aspects of a significant acquisition of an international bank.

Successfully handling a number of high value and sensitive sex/race discrimination tribunal claims for a FTSE 100 international bank.

Advising Bank of Ireland on general employment matters including unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, redundancy, disciplinary matters (including misconduct and poor performance), discrimination, compromise agreements, equal pay and ill-health.

Advising Resonance Impact Investment Limited on the launch of one of the UK's first social investment tax relief (SITR) funds, including regulatory advice resulting in successful lobbying to change the financial promotion regime.

Advising lenders and funds including Octopus Investments on the process to become FCA authorised for consumer credit lending, including reviewing application forms, FCA-required policies and procedures, suites of lending documentation and ancillary statements and notices.

Advising an asset management client on platform agreements for VCTs and unlisted financial products.

Advising a leading financial services company on various commercial agreements with bank sponsors, card providers and payment schemes and on regulatory compliance in respect of payment services, e-money and consumer credit activities.

Advising on fund structuring, fund documentation and regulatory compliance with AIFMD and UK regulation for a shared ownership home fund.

Assisting StrideUp (www.strideup.co), an innovative home finance startup, on its mission to empower new generations with the same opportunity of homeownership and the financial security it brings. Our work with the StrideUp team involved regulatory and corporate structuring, and subsequent real estate and conveyancing work.

Meet the team
Tom Dunn

Tom Dunn Partner

  • Head of Regulated Funds and Financial Services
  • Regulated Funds
  • Financial Services
Michael Hayles

Michael Hayles Partner

  • Pensions
  • Public Sector Pension Schemes
  • Financial Services
Suzanne-Padmore---132A6872

Suzanne Padmore Partner

  • Pensions Disputes
  • Professional Negligence
  • Financial services Disputes and Enforcement 
Matthew Walker

Matthew Kaltsas-Walker Partner

  • Dispute Resolution
  • Financial Services
  • Insurance
Headshot of Katie Russell

Katie Russell Partner

  • Employment
  • Financial Services
  • Sport
Martin Cook Temp Corporate Image Web Profile

Martin Cook Partner

  • Head of Fintech
  • Financial services
  • Technology and Communications
Mark Shepherd

Mark Shepherd Partner

  • Head of Private Equity
  • Corporate
  • Healthcare
Headshot of AJ Venter

AJ Venter Partner

  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Joint Ventures
  • Corporate Advice
Headshot of Kerry Berchem

Kerry Berchem Practice Development Lawyer

  • Financial Services
Alice Honeywill

Alice Honeywill Partner

  • Pensions Services
  • Public Sector Pension Schemes
  • Life and Pensions
Headshot of Jennifer Mellor

Jennifer Mellor Director

  • Alternative Investment Funds
  • Financial Services
  • Life and Pensions
     
Ralph Lovesy Web pic

Ralph Lovesy Director

  • Financial Services
  • Regulated Lending
  • Fintech
Joanna Monaghan

Joanna Monaghan Director

  • Corporate
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Joint Ventures
Amy McVey

Amy McVey Director

  • Banking and Finance 
  • Corporate Restructuring and Insolvency
  • Real Estate Finance 
Anna Davis

Anna Davis Director

  • Financial Services
  • Life and Pensions
  • Regulated Funds
James Green

James Green Director

  • Employment
  • Financial Services
  • Employment Disputes
Caroline Brown

Caroline Brown Director

  • Commercial Contract Disputes
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Professional Negligence
James Barrett profile image

James Barrett Director

  • Banking and Finance
  • Asset Finance and Asset Backed Lending
  • Derivatives, Debt Capital Markets and Securitisations
Hannah Miller

Hannah Miller Senior Associate

  • Dispute Resolution
  • Financial Services Disputes and Enforcement
  • Banking Disputes
Headshot of John Roberts

John Roberts Associate

  • Financial Services
  • Fintech
  • Retail Funds and Financial Products
     
Alex Gillespie

Alex Gillespie Senior Associate

  • Financial Services
  • Regulated Funds 
  • Life and Pensions
Headshot of Carly Phillips-Jones

Carly Phillips-Jones Solicitor

  • Financial Services
  • Retail Funds and Financial Products
  • Financial Services Regulation
 

Brandon Wong Solicitor

  • Financial services
  • Fintech
  • Technology and communications

What others say...

Expert knowledge, friendly, and very responsive and collaborative.

Legal 500 2024

Key contact

Richard Leeming

Richard Leeming Partner

  • Banking and Trade Finance
  • Derivatives, Debt Capital Markets and Securitisations
  • Real Estate Finance

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