Addleshaw Goddard‘s regulatory practice advises a broad spectrum of fintech clients, from banks and e-money institutions to crypto platforms and payment firms. The group advises on matters such as licensing, product development, cross-border structuring, regulatory engagement, and digital asset frameworks. The team also works closely with fintech startups through a dedicated accelerator programme and is active in shaping payments law and regulation in the UK. Bringing a ’rare combination of deep technical expertise and commercial awareness,‘ Rebecca Hickman leads the firm’s payments work, advising leading technology companies and major banks on regulatory innovation and open banking. Grace Wyatt advises on stablecoins, tokenised deposits, and CBDCs, and works closely with the FCA and PSR. She frequently contributes to regulatory consultations and policy development. With an ’ability to quickly grasp the nuances of complex legal and regulatory issues,‘ Lisa Lee Lewis specialises in financial crime, compliance frameworks, and governance, with a focus on cryptoasset businesses. She advises on MLR registration and authorisation, supporting clients with regulatory strategy, SMCR, and operational resilience.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Addleshaw Goddard provides technically rigorous advice that is strengthened by the practical perspectives of seasoned compliance professionals. This combination ensures that their guidance is not only legally sound but also operationally workable and aligned with evolving regulatory expectations. The team's deep familiarity with the regulator's supervisory approach enables them to anticipate the level of scrutiny applied in practice and tailor their advice accordingly. This makes their support particularly valuable in high-stakes or time-sensitive regulatory matters, where both accuracy and regulatory credibility are critical. Their ability to translate complex requirements into clear, actionable steps adds further confidence for in-house teams navigating an increasingly demanding regulatory landscape.’
‘Rebecca Hickman is widely recognised as a leading financial regulatory specialist, with an impressive track record of supporting innovation in the payments and open banking sectors. She brings a rare combination of deep technical expertise and commercial awareness, allowing her to provide clear, actionable legal advice that is closely aligned with clients’ strategic goals. Her knowledge of the regulatory landscape is complemented by a strong understanding of market dynamics, making her a trusted adviser to both established institutions and fintech disruptors. Rebecca is also known for her proactive approach, often anticipating challenges before they arise and helping clients navigate regulatory complexity with confidence and clarity.’
‘As a client in the financial services sector, I’ve particularly valued the team's ability to quickly understand complex business models and provide advice that is not only technically sound but also practical and actionable. Their responsiveness, clarity of communication, and ability to navigate both regulatory and transactional complexities set them apart.'
- 'The team is exceptionally well-versed in financial regulation, structured finance, and corporate transactions, and they bring a collaborative mindset that helps resolve issues efficiently and constructively.’
‘The individuals I’ve worked with at Addleshaw Goddard, particularly Lisa Lee Lewis, stand out for their exceptional professionalism, strategic insight, and genuine commitment to client success.'
- 'Lisa is a standout partner who combines deep technical knowledge with a pragmatic and commercial mindset. What sets her apart is her ability to quickly grasp the nuances of complex legal and regulatory issues and translate them into clear, actionable advice. She is always well-prepared, highly responsive, and has a calm, assured approach that inspires confidence, even in high-pressure situations.'
‘Rebecca Hickman is a highly capable and commercially astute lawyer with deep expertise in payment services regulation; she has consistently acted as a trusted advisor to us, bringing sound judgement, responsiveness, and valuable insight to every engagement.’
'Becky Hickman is a truly engaging, knowledgeable and excellent advisor on all facets of regulation relating to the payments and Fintech sector. She understands the nuances and requirements of business' needs and is able to clearly articulate and advise us on how to approach regulatory requirements in a very robust and customer focused manner.'
Key clients
- Open Banking Limited
- UK Finance
- Klarna
- GoCardless
- IWOCA
- EcommPay
- Tremendous
- Atom Bank
- Starling Bank
- PayPal
- B2C2
- Skipton Building Society
- ClearBank
Work highlights
Appointed by UK Finance to support it with its work on the development and drafting of a statutory instrument which was to implement Government and HMTs policy objectives relating to account exits.
Appointed by OBL and Pay.UK to support their work on the development and drafting of a multilateral agreement (MLA) and 'scheme rulebook' to be used for "commercial variable recurring payments" (cVRP) in the UK. Drafting a scheme rulebook to launch a new payment type using open banking methodology and advising on the application of the existing regulatory regime to this new payments solution that will rival direct debits and continuous payment authorities on cards. Also advising on the application of the money laundering regulations to cVRPs.
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Practice head
Rebecca Hickman; Grace Wyatt; Lisa Lee Lewis