Financial Services, Regulatory & FinTech Legal Support

Obtaining and maintaining FCA authorisation requires careful planning and ongoing compliance. We can assist with:

• •FCA Authorisation Applications
• •Appointed Representative Arrangements
• •Regulatory Perimeter Advice
• •Change in Control Applications
• •Senior Management & Governance Advice
• •Consumer Duty Compliance
• •Regulatory Change Projects
• •FCA Correspondence & Engagement

We help businesses understand their regulatory obligations and navigate the authorisation process with confidence.

Regulatory compliance should support business objectives rather than impede them. We advise on:

• •Compliance Frameworks
• •Regulatory Policies & Procedures
• •Governance Structures
• •Risk Management Frameworks
• •Compliance Reviews
• •Regulatory Gap Analysis
• •Internal Controls
• •Regulatory Training Support

Our focus is on creating practical compliance solutions tailored to the size, complexity and risk profile of your business.

AML compliance remains a key area of regulatory scrutiny. We support businesses with:

• •AML Compliance Programmes
• •Financial Crime Risk Assessments
• •Customer Due Diligence Frameworks
• •Enhanced Due Diligence Procedures
• •AML Policies & Procedures
• •Internal Reporting Frameworks
• •Financial Crime Governance
• •Regulatory Compliance Reviews

We help businesses build robust financial crime controls while maintaining operational efficiency.

Financial services businesses often require specialist contractual and commercial advice alongside regulatory support. We advise on:

• •Commercial Agreements
• •Outsourcing Arrangements
• •Supplier Agreements
• •Technology Agreements
• •Distribution Arrangements
• •Partnership Agreements
• •Client Terms & Conditions
• •Regulatory Contract Reviews

Our aim is to ensure commercial arrangements align with both regulatory requirements and business objectives.

Where regulatory issues arise, obtaining experienced legal advice at an early stage can be essential. We can assist with:

• •FCA Investigations
• •Regulatory Reviews
• •Skilled Person Reviews
• •Regulatory Enforcement Matters
• •Governance Failures
• •Compliance Breaches
• •Responding to Regulatory Enquiries

We provide practical support to help businesses manage risk, engage effectively with regulators and mitigate potential consequences.

Disputes within regulated sectors often involve both legal and regulatory considerations. We advise on: Client & Customer Disputes

• •Mis-Selling Claims
• •Financial Product Disputes
• •Consumer Complaints
• •Service Failures
• •Regulatory Complaint Handling
• •Commercial Financial Services Disputes
• •Contractual Disputes
• •Distribution Disputes
• •Adviser & Introducer Disputes
• •Professional Negligence Issues
• •Regulatory Breach Allegations

Our approach is commercially focused, seeking practical resolutions while protecting the interests of the business.

Innovation continues to transform the financial services sector. Businesses operating in emerging areas often face evolving regulatory expectations and legal uncertainty. We provide support in relation to:

• •FinTech Business Models
• •Cryptocurrency Projects
• •Tokenised Products
• •Digital Asset Businesses
• •Payment Technologies
• •Embedded Finance Solutions
• •Regulatory Risk Assessments
• •Emerging Regulatory Frameworks

We help clients understand regulatory considerations while supporting innovation and commercial growth. Cryptocurrency and fintech advisory services are identified within Ashlings Legal's planned financial services offering.

Strong governance is increasingly important within regulated businesses. We advise on:

• •Board Governance
• •Senior Management Responsibilities
• •Governance Frameworks
• •Risk Committees
• •Regulatory Accountability
• •Decision-Making Processes
• •Internal Governance Reviews

Our advice is designed to help businesses meet regulatory expectations while maintaining effective commercial leadership.