Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Investigation & Enforcement Solicitors 

FCA engagement can arise through routine supervisory activity, information requests, thematic reviews, whistleblowing reports or formal investigations.

We advise clients on:

• FCA and PRA information requests
• Section 165 information requirements
• FCA supervisory engagement
• Regulatory intervention and supervisory reviews
• Internal investigations
• Governance and conduct concerns
• Regulatory reporting issues
• Remediation programmes
• Referrals to Enforcement.

Early engagement is often critical in understanding the regulator's concerns, protecting legal position and preventing matters from escalating.

Where concerns cannot be resolved through supervisory processes, the FCA may commence formal enforcement action.

We advise firms and individuals throughout the enforcement process, including:

• Investigations into alleged regulatory breaches
• Warning Notices and Decision Notices
• Settlement negotiations
• Regulatory Decisions Committee proceedings
• Upper Tribunal challenges
• Remediation and compliance programmes
• Reputational risk management.

Our focus is on helping clients manage regulatory risk while protecting commercial and professional interests.

The FCA continues to place significant emphasis on individual accountability, particularly under the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR).

We regularly act for:

• Senior Managers
• Certified staff
• Directors
• Compliance professionals
• Financial advisers
• Traders
• Employees of regulated firms
• Non-regulated individuals involved in FCA investigations.

We advise on:

• Fitness and propriety concerns
• Conduct rule investigations
• Statements of Responsibility
• Reasonable steps assessments
• Regulatory references
• Prohibition proceedings
• Compelled interviews
• Interviews under caution.

We recognise that FCA scrutiny can have significant career implications and provide discreet, strategic advice throughout the process.

The FCA's powers are not limited to authorised firms and approved persons. The regulator frequently contacts non-regulated businesses and individuals where it believes there may be issues relating to unauthorised regulated activities, financial promotions, market abuse, financial crime or matters connected to regulated firms.

We advise:

• Non-regulated businesses that have received FCA correspondence
• Fintech and technology businesses
• Introducers and lead generators
• Consultants and advisers
• Marketing and promotions businesses
• Directors and shareholders
• Individuals connected with FCA investigations
• Businesses operating close to the regulatory perimeter.

We assist clients with:

• Responding to FCA information requests
• Addressing concerns regarding unauthorised regulated activities
• Financial promotions and marketing issues
• Regulatory perimeter assessments
• Voluntary information requests
• Compelled requests for documents and information
• Meetings and interviews with the FCA
• Managing regulatory and reputational risk.

Receiving a letter from the FCA does not necessarily mean that enforcement action will follow. However, the way a business or individual responds at an early stage can significantly affect the direction and outcome of the matter. We help clients understand the regulator's concerns, protect their position and engage with the FCA strategically and effectively.

The FCA has wide-ranging powers to investigate suspected financial crime and market misconduct.

Our experience includes advising on:

• Insider dealing allegations
• Market abuse investigations
• Market manipulation claims
• Breaches of anti-money laundering requirements
• Unauthorised regulated activities
• Unlawful financial promotions
• Systems and controls failings
• Misconduct investigations
• Consumer protection and Consumer Duty concerns.

We work closely with clients to manage both regulatory and criminal law risks that may arise from FCA investigations.

The FCA has a range of supervisory and intervention powers designed to address concerns before they develop into formal enforcement action. Firms may face increased regulatory scrutiny through information requests, supervisory reviews, remediation programmes or other forms of regulatory engagement.

We advise firms and individuals on:

• Responding to FCA and PRA concerns and enquiries
• Managing regulatory engagement and supervisory reviews
• Responding to information requests and regulatory correspondence
• Assessing regulatory findings and recommendations
• Designing and implementing remediation programmes
• Strengthening governance, systems and controls
• Managing the risk of escalation to formal enforcement action.

Early engagement is often critical in understanding the regulator's concerns, demonstrating a proactive approach and reducing regulatory and reputational risk.

Our team includes lawyers with experience gained within the FCA and PRA, providing valuable insight into how regulators approach supervision, investigations and decision-making.

This experience includes work involving FCA authorisations, supervisory activity, regulatory policy, governance assessments and regulatory engagement. Our insight into regulatory processes enables us to provide practical advice that reflects both the legal framework and the realities of supervision and enforcement.

Understanding how regulators assess risk, governance and accountability allows us to help clients navigate investigations, engage effectively with regulators and respond confidently to regulatory scrutiny.