New PPF Requirements Will Cause Trustees A Real(isable) Headache

On November 25, 2015, the Financial Conduct Authority fined Barclays Bank plc £72,069,400 for failing to minimize financial crime risks appropriately.

The Financial Conduct Authority has released a comprehensive package of regulatory updates and findings covering investment management, wealth management, and consumer protection. Key developments include reforms to MiFID costs and charges disclosures, remuneration code changes, AIFM regime overhauls, and detailed reviews of firms' Consumer Duty compliance, financial crime controls, and governance frameworks.

Islamic finance is experiencing rapid global expansion, with assets approaching US$6tn and record sukuk issuance attracting non-traditional investors. The convergence of Shariah-compliant and sustainable investing is creating new opportunities, while AAOIFI Standard No. 62 and tokenisation developments are reshaping how Islamic finance structures are designed and implemented across international markets.

As widely anticipated, the Bank of England voted last week to hold Bank Rate at 3.75%. Whilst markets had expected the decision, it is noticeable that the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) moved from a 7-2 decision, to a 6-3 one, with three members favouring a 0.25% increase. The move demonstrates the continued uncertainty around the UK’s inflationary environment, particularly in light of geopolitical tension, tariffs and trade disruption and political change, and their combined impact on global energy prices and the wider economic outlook.

The Financial Stability Board warns of frontier AI cyber risks and market leverage concerns, while UK and EU regulators advance new frameworks for operational resilience, payment innovation, and investment firm reclassification. Major enforcement action sees Citibank penalized over £4.7 million for Russia sanctions breaches, highlighting the critical importance of advance risk assessment and robust controls.

The Financial Conduct Authority has released comprehensive perimeter guidance for the UK's new regulated cryptoasset activities regime, clarifying when firms will need authorization and how the regulatory framework applies to qualifying cryptoassets and stablecoins. The guidance addresses critical questions about scope, territorial application, and the narrower "by way of business" test that determines which entities fall under the new regulatory requirements.

In July 2017, the FCA published its Enforcement annual performance account for 2016/17.

ESMA published a statement alerting investors about the high risks of investment in ICOs, including the risk of total loss of their investment.

On 14 July 2026, HM Treasury published its long-awaited consultation on modernising the UK’s payment services and electronic money regulatory framework. The consultation is part of the Government’s National Payments Vision agenda, which aims to ensure that the UK has a trusted, world-leading payments ecosystem delivered on next generation technology, while preserving choice for consumers and businesses.

The LMA has this week released the new Joint Excess Loss Committee wordings which replace CL400, following a lengthy project of consultation and drafting

The measurement of a building is central to its valuation and for multi-let buildings the rent and service charge calculations.

The Government have said that later this summer it will become lawful for a business to negotiate with an employee regarding the termination of that person's employment without the employee being able to use those negotiations in a claim in the Employment Tribunal.

The Chancellor has today presented his Budget. Some of his announcements and proposals were in line with expectation; others caused more of a stir.

A recent survey by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) shows that sexual harassment in the workplace is widespread despite legislation outlawing it.

This case confirmed that damage caused to your property by trees planted by a Local Authority may be recoverable.

In England there is no overriding law or principal of law that we must act in good faith to one another.

Barely a week goes by these days without headlines reporting the latest breach of data security by one organisation or another.

You will not always have the final say on who inherits your estate. Certain categories of family members may now be able to successfully challenge your will if you exclude them.

The relevant public procurement regulations provide that a bidder who wants to claim for a breach of the public procurement rules by the potential employer must do so within 30 days of the date when the bidder knew (or ought to have known) that grounds for starting the proceedings had arisen.

The Chancellor, George Osborne, delivered his Autumn Statement and Spending Review to the House of Commons on Wednesday 25 November.