AUTH 6.1 Application and purpose

This chapter applies to:

1. (1)

   a person who wishes to become an authorised person under the Act and who is, or is considering, applying to the FSA for Part IV permission to carry on regulated activities in the United Kingdom;

2. (2)

   an EEA firm, a Treaty firm or a UCITS qualifier that wishes to establish a branch or provide cross-border services into the United Kingdom using EEA rights, Treaty rights or UCITS Directive rights, or apply for a top-up permission;2

3. (3)

   a candidate, but only as a matter of general relevance. 21

An EEA firm, a Treaty firm and UCITS qualifier should refer to SUP 10.1 (Application) for the special application of the approved persons regime to firms which are exercising their passport rights, Treaty rights or rights as a UCITS qualifier.

In this chapter, references to a 'firm' should be read as including an applicant for Part IV permission, or an EEA firm a Treaty firm or a UCITS qualifier, unless the context otherwise requires.

This chapter gives guidance on the provisions of the Act and the Handbook under which a firm must obtain the prior approval of certain persons to perform controlled functions on its behalf.