Banking and financial services

Financial services solicitors with unrivalled sector knowledge

Clarke Willmott’s team of financial services solicitors cover a range of different practice areas, including corporate and commercial, private capital and litigation. Many of the team also have recognised financial planning qualifications and practical experience of working with the regulators, giving us a level of industry knowledge beyond that of our competitors.

Businesses in the financial services sector operate in an increasingly challenging environment. The regulatory structure and rules are constantly changing, and the regulators are becoming ever stricter. We provide practical cost-effective advice on a range of banking and finance specific services to help our clients navigate the pitfalls and organise their businesses for commercial success.

Our financial services specialists advise clearing and private banks, building societies, specialist lenders and corporate and individual borrowers on all aspects of lending transactions and related issues including recoveries, financial litigation and professional negligence claims. We also advise financial advisers, appointed representatives, introducers, professional and trade bodies, and entrepreneurs looking to enter the industry.

Our expertise in banking and finance law

We advise on all types of finance arrangement and legislative changes including:

• Corporate structure
• Contracts
• Customer and commercial disputes including alleged mis-selling
• Loan agreements
• Invoice discounting arrangements
• Asset finance
• Finance leasing
• Business acquisition
• Refinancing
• Property and construction finance
• Referral, commission and introduction agreements
• Consultancy agreements
• Outsourcing
• Financial services regulation and consumer credit advice
• Due diligence
• Financial promotions
• Compliance and reporting requirements

Our financial services legal experience in action

• Acting for FCA authorised firms in handling supervisory and enforcement action, and for individuals and firms accused of carrying on regulated activities without authorisation or of unlawfully promoting investments.
• Advising on the impact of legislative changes and giving guidance on strategies to take advantage of these. Most recently the Retail Distribution Review (RDR) which caused many firms to contemplate reorganising their business models.
• Advising on the regulatory implications of new ventures, including the need for authorisation or licensing, financial promotions issues and ongoing compliance and reporting requirements, as well as corporate structuring.
• Advising clients on contractual requirements, many of which are regulated by statute.
• Acting on corporate transactions and advising on the effects of relevant legislation on corporate activity, including FSMA, the Regulated Activities Order and the financial promotions regime.
• Acting as retained legal counsel for injunctions and team moves by a leading investment bank.
• Handling complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and conduct litigation in the courts.

Working closely with financial advisers. Our financial services solicitors are formally trained in financial planning and as a result, are well equipped to discuss product suitability issues. Our renowned private capital team also regularly advises on wills, trusts, tax and other relevant matters.

Contact a financial services solicitor today

Our specialist financial services solicitors based in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton provide legal advice to banking and finance clients both in the UK and internationally.

Call for a free initial consultation today on 0800 652 8025 or get in touch online.