LEXLAW Solicitors & Barristers
LEXLAW’s Financial Services Litigation team provides expert legal support for high-value claims and complaints against Metro Bank Plc. The team has experience in prominent High Court cases against Metro Bank and all other major UK banks. Clients can access specialist London-based solicitors and barristers to protect their rights and manage complex bank litigation efficiently.
LEXLAW has launched an online petition urging the government to establish a Financial Services Tribunal to resolve disputes over financial product mis-selling. The petition highlights the limitations of costly court processes, the inadequate Financial Ombudsman Service, and the FCA’s lack of dispute resolution powers. The tribunal would provide fairness, judicial scrutiny, and deter misconduct by major banks and financial institutions. The campaign follows parliamentary support for a commercial financial dispute resolution platform and aims to give customers better protection and access to justice
RBS’s Global Restructuring Group (GRG) has faced allegations of destroying small businesses. LexLaw has sued RBS on behalf of many businesses including Bowlplex, a family-owned bowling business, claiming excessive fees, increased interest rates, and forced equity transfer. Despite a viable business, Bowlplex was transferred to GRG and ultimately sold on by RBS for a £9m profit and a £50m loss for the owners.
The Court of Appeal has allowed WW Property Investments Ltd to appeal against NatWest over mis-sold interest rate derivatives and the negligent conduct of the IRHP review. This landmark decision challenges banks’ redress offers and recognition of consequential losses, encouraging affected customers and SME victims to seek legal advice for potential claims. The ruling could impact limitation periods and existing non-advisory defenses employed by banks, with major implications for financial services litigation and previous IRHP Review outcomes.
RBS announces a New Complaints Process and Complex Fee Refunds for SMEs in their GRG division between 2008 to 2013. This process has serious flaws.
RBS has agreed to a £1 million settlement with a businesswoman who accused the bank of mis-selling complex derivatives. The case highlights banks selling unsuitable financial products to businesses. RBS initially denied wrongdoing but eventually agreed to the settlement, which includes repayment of derivative payments, break costs, and suspended payments. The businesswoman’s business was negatively impacted by the mis-sold derivatives, and the case exposes flaws in the Financial Conduct Authority’s IRHP review scheme.
The High Court permitted a judicial review of the FCA’s Interest Rate Hedging Product (IRHP) swaps mis-selling review scheme. The case challenges the fairness and adequacy of the FCA’s redress process, arguing it fails to provide proper compensation and independent oversight. This decision marks a significant step for affected SMEs seeking accountability and more effective remedies for mis-sold swaps under the FCA scheme.
The Treasury Committee report criticises conduct in SME lending, focusing on four key areas: FCA’s IRHP mis-selling review, Tailored Business Loans (TBLs), hidden swaps embedded in loans, and RBS’s Global Restructuring Group (GRG). The report finds systemic failings, lack of transparency, and inadequate customer protections. It calls for stronger regulatory oversight, better redress schemes, and reforms to prevent banks exploiting SMEs through complex financial products and aggressive recovery tactics.
Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks have now begun a review of past sales of fixed rate loans often sold as Tailored Business Loans (TBLs). These are Fixed Rate Loan wrapper products with embedded derivatives.
The Parliamentary Commission on Banking Standards’ Final Report calls for radical reforms to restore banking trust, addressing LIBOR manipulation and derivatives mis-selling. Key proposals include criminal liability for reckless bankers, improved governance, stronger regulator duties, and wider access to the Financial Ombudsman Service for small businesses. The report urges greater financial literacy, transparency, and regulation to prevent banks from disclaiming advisory responsibility when selling complex products.