Financial Services Regulation

UK

Whatever the issue - whether it’s developing your financial services business, taking an active part in industry change and consolidation, or compliance with regulatory reforms, our Financial Services Regulation team can support you.

Our lawyers combine technically excellent advice with experience of working in-house at financial institutions and at the UK financial services regulators. If you are in need of help or advice in this area, contact us today.

Expertise in Financial Services Regulation

Videos

Managing Conduct Risk and protecting against Market Abuse during the COVID-19 Crisis - Webinar

Conduct Risk has been a defining theme of the Financial Conduct Authority and whilst Conduct Risks might be blindingly obvious once in front of you, they may be difficult to spot in advance. It is therefore essential for businesses to understand what conduct Risk means, identify the risks and drivers to protect themselves and ensure markets remain clean.

Articles

COVID-19: The risk of fraud in a crisis

See more articles

Focus areas in Financial Services Regulation

Insider trading, unlawful disclosure of inside information and market manipulation are unlawful behaviours relevant to financial markets. We can provide expertise to ensure that your business complies with MAR, helping to review and update policies and processes.

If you are facing an investigation or prosecution for non-compliance with MAR, our team are just a phone call away. We will provide you with practical advice to help minimise any financial and reputational damage and ensure the best possible outcome.

The financial services industry is undergoing huge digital transformation. Constant innovation to meet rapidly changing demand has its challenges, but it also presents opportunities.

We have developed an array of solutions to support businesses in the FinTech market. These include our platform structuring service (including investment, regulatory and tax support) as well as advice on employment issues and Intellectual Property matters.

With regulation varying from country to country, maintaining compliance with legal frameworks can be complex. We have extensive experience in advising on cross-border regulatory issues in the global financial services sector. We work with both our international offices and best friend firms to ensure you receive local expertise without needing to deal with multiple parties.

Criminal legislation and regulatory frameworks are becoming increasingly complex. We work with businesses to ensure that they do not commit, or become the victim of, fraud or financial crime. If your business is subject to an investigation, we have the expertise to support you through this process and provide risk management.

Financial services regulatory specialists with practical experience

I think it's a really good and useful piece of work, so a huge thank you for that. It's not an easy thing to put together but you've really taken on board the usability requirement we had. I think the result is really helpful.In-house lawyer at a major high street bank

Our experiences have taken us to matters across all areas of financial services. Whether you are a financial institution or an entrepreneur with a clever idea, we can work with you to help ensure your success.

Retail banks

Advising on structures and customer documentation. Implementing the Mortgage Credit Directive and supporting any implications for lenders from the consumer buy-to-let regime.
Investment banks

Providing commercial advice on a variety of regulatory matters such as MiFID II, governance, board remuneration, SMCR and FCA Custody Rules.
Retail credit

Advising providers of regulated credit activities on marketing through different media and drafting regulated agreements.

Insurance companies

Counsel to a captive insurer in run-off. Advising the board and liaising with the PRA on the firm's behalf. Providing guidance on the senior insurance managers' regime, whistleblowing rules and regulatory obligations under the PRA rulebook.
Exchanges

Acting as the sole regulatory adviser on the acquisition of a UK exchange by an Asian buyer. This included liaising on behalf of the client with the FCA during the change of control process.
Funds

Advising fund clients on EMIR and clearing obligations. Providing expertise on the regulatory aspects of proposed investments and negotiating terms with fund managers.

Industry Recognition

Ian Mason has a deep-seated knowledge of how the regulator approaches matters. A pleasure to work with, he is highly diligent and collegiate in his approach.The Legal 500

Our team frequently speaks at industry conferences, seminars and webinars on financial services topics, including FCA Enforcement, market abuse and FinTech.

The team is also recognised by legal directories such as The Legal 500, with Ian Mason ranking in the 'Financial Services: Contentious' category in 2020. Sushil Kuner was also named as a 'Key Lawyer' in the 2020 edition of The Legal 500 for FinTech.

Ian Mason is the author of a number of books and articles on financial services. Previous media appearances include The Financial Times, BBC Radio 4 Today Programme, BBC Breakfast News, and Thomson Reuters.

He also has his own Practical Law market conduct column, and is a member of the Practical Law Financial Services Consultation Board. Ian is also a member of the AIMA Market Abuse Working Group and the Society of Pension Practitioners Financial Services Regulation Sub-Committee.

Sector Focused Knowledge

Meet the team

Ian Mason

Partner, Head of Financial Services Regulation

Ian has over 20 years' experience as a financial services regulatory lawyer. His expertise lies in advising on market abuse and financial crime issues, both in an enforcement and compliance context. Ian's work in non-contentious matters includes advising on the complex regulatory aspects of a wide range of matters in financial services. His work also leads him to advising on the regulatory aspects on FinTech and Brexit.

Kam Dhillon

Principal Associate

Kam advises on funds and financial services regulation. Her work has a particular emphasis on the regulation, management and distribution of alternative investment funds. Kam is experienced in advising a broad range of market participants on UK and EU regulation. Her work also takes her to corporate transactions, FCA authorisations and FinTech.

Sushil Kuner

Principal Associate

Sushil advises on all aspects of financial services regulatory law, particularly on cross-sector retail conduct risk issues. She has extensive experience in regulatory matters including a wide range of contentious and non-contentious issues. Sushil has a particular interest in FinTech, advising a number of clients on the regulatory approach for ICOs, blockchain and cryptoassets.

Stay ahead

Keep up-to-date with the latest in financial services regulatory environment by registering for our updates.

Contact us today

For advice on financial services regulation, contact a member of our team.

Contact the team

Key contacts

Ian Mason Partner - Head of UK Financial Services Regulation and Joint Head of UK Financial Services Sector, London

Kam Dhillon Principal Associate - London

Sushil Kuner Principal Associate - UK Financial Services Regulation, London

View our team

Browse Insights & Resources by type

Topics

Global Reach

Why Gowling WLG

Financial Services Regulation

UK

Expertise in Financial Services Regulation

Focus areas in Financial Services Regulation

Financial services regulatory specialists with practical experience

Retail banks

Investment banks

Retail credit

Insurance companies

Exchanges

Funds

Industry Recognition

Sector Focused Knowledge