LEXLAW Solicitors & Barristers
Following its investigations, the FCA has published rules banning the sale of cryptocurrency investments to retail investors in the UK after concluding that they are ill-suited for such customers. The FCA estimates that retail consumers will save around £53m from the ban on these complex financial derivatives which commences in January 2021.
The APPG on Fair Business Banking launched their highly anticipated dispute resolution report on 11 July 2018. The report, authored by Kevin Hollinrake MP and undertaken by the Centre…
Ali Akram and Jaron Dosanjh attended Parliament on LEXLAW’s behalf at the New City Agenda Event, Tuesday 10th July 2018, Committee Room 14, House of Commons
We have today submitted evidence on the ineffectiveness of existing arrangements for dispute arbitration and settlement between SMEs and banks to the Treasury Committee‘s SME Finance Inquiry. Re:…
RBS says it will expand its redress scheme to include appeals with independent third- party oversight for consequential losses suffered due to misconduct by its Global Restructuring Group (GRG).
The door has been opened by the Court of Appeal in PAG v RBS [2018] for misrepresentation claims to be brought by a counter-party to a derivative which…
The FCA regulates authorised firms under the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA) 2000, overseeing conduct and prudential standards. It authorises firms, supervises compliance, investigates breaches, and enforces rules via fines, bans, and public censure. The FCA’s remit focuses on “regulated activities,” but it also monitors firms’ overall behaviour, including some unregulated actions linked to regulated firms. It holds senior managers accountable under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR). The FCA aims to protect consumers, uphold market integrity, and promote competition, balancing its powers with statutory limits set by Parliament and Government.
UK Parliament unanimously condemned RBS’s Global Restructuring Group (GRG) for its systemic mistreatment of SMEs, describing it as a parasitic unit engaged in asset stripping and aggressive litigation tactics. MPs highlighted GRG’s role in artificially distressing viable businesses, undervaluing assets, and employing harsh recovery strategies during 2008-2013, leading to widespread financial harm. The FCA’s delayed and redacted report faced heavy criticism, with calls for transparent accountability, a Financial Services Tribunal, whistleblower protections, and full release of investigations.
The FCA has issued a strong warning over widespread mis-selling of complex and risky Contracts for Difference (CFDs) to retail investors, finding poor target market definitions, inadequate due diligence, and weak conflict of interest management among providers. Many unsophisticated consumers suffer significant losses, with 76% losing money, including pension funds unknowingly invested in CFDs. The FCA’s crackdown includes tougher regulations and possible supervisory interventions to protect vulnerable investors. Consumers mis-sold CFDs can seek redress through complaints, the Financial Ombudsman, or legal claims.
The High Court ruled in Abdullah v Credit Suisse that the bank mis-sold complex structured products to a conservative Kuwaiti family, breaching statutory duties under sections 138D and 150 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. The court found Credit Suisse failed to assess the clients’ risk tolerance and provided misleading advice, resulting in a $30 million loss. Key defences by the bank, including claims of contributory negligence and financial suicide, were rejected. This landmark case clarifies banks’ obligations under FCA Conduct of Business rules on suitability and fair communication in sales of complex financial products, offering hope for mis-selling victims.