1. (1)

   3CASS 8.1.2A R is not an absolute exemption, but it excludes the application of the mandate rules in relation to money or assets that a firm has received, is holding, or is responsible for (as appropriate and in the circumstances described in CASS 8.1.2A R).

2. (2)

   This means that, for example in respect of CASS 8.1.2A R (1), a firm holding client money in accordance with CASS 5 or CASS 7 does not also need to comply with the mandate rules in relation to the client money which it actually holds, but the mandate rules would apply if the firm has a mandate under which it can receive a client's money from another person in the course of, or in connection with, the activities set out at CASS 8.1.1 R (1) and CASS 8.1.1 R (2).

3. (3)

   Similarly, in respect of CASS 8.1.2A R (4), the mandate rules apply to a firm that is the operator of a regulated collective investment scheme if, for example, it has a mandate under which it can receive a client's money from another person for the purposes of investing it in the scheme.

Firms are reminded that the mandate rules do not apply to an incoming EEA firm, other than an insurer, with respect to its passported activities. The application of the mandate rules is also dependent on the location from which the activity is undertaken (see CASS 1.3).2

The mandate rules require3firms to3 establish and maintain records and internal controls to prevent the misuse of a mandate.3

3The mandate rules only apply to a firm that has a mandate, and do not affect the duties of any other person to whom the firm is able to give the types of instructions referred to in CASS 8.2.1R (4). For example, if a person (A) has accepted a deposit from a client, and a firm (B) has a mandate in respect of that client'sdeposit held by A, the mandate rules only apply to B, and do not affect the duties of A in relation to the deposit.

A mandate can take any written form and need not state that it is a mandate. For example it could take the form of a standalone document containing certain information or conferring a certain authority on the firm, a specific provision within a document or agreement that also relates to other matters, or a combination of provisions within a number of documents which together meet the conditions in CASS 8.2.1 R.

1. (1)

   If a firm receives information that puts it in the position described in CASS 8.2.1 R (4) in order to effect transactions immediately on receiving that information, then such information could only amount to a mandate if the firm retainsit (for example by not destroying the relevant document):

   1. (a)

      after it uses it to effect those immediate transactions; or

   2. (b)

      because those transactions are not, for whatever reason, effected immediately.

2. (2)

   If a firm receives information that puts it in the position described in CASS 8.2.1 R (4) and the firm retains that information (for example in accordance with its record-keeping procedures or in order to effect transactions in the future or over a period of time) then such information could amount to a mandate.

The instructions referred to at CASS 8.2.1 R (4) are all instructions given by a firm to another person who also has a relationship with the firm'sclient. For example, the other person may be the client'sbank, intermediary, custodian or credit card provider. This means, for example, that any means by which a firm can control a client's money or assets for which it is itself responsible to the client (rather than any other person) would not amount to a mandate. This includes where the firm is holding a client's money or assets other than in accordance with CASS 5, CASS 6 or CASS 7 (for example, because of an exemption in those rules).

A mandate in relation to the type of instructions referred to in CASS 8.2.1R (4)(a) could include a direct debit instruction over a client's bank account in favour of the firm.

A mandate in relation to the type of instructions referred to in CASS 8.2.1 R (4)(d) could include written information that sets out the client's credit card details.

1. (1)

   If a firm obtains the means by which it can give the types of instructions referred to in CASS 8.2.1 R (4), but its use of those means is subject to any limits or conditions, then this does not necessarily prevent those means from being a mandate. For example, a client might require that a firm uses a mandate only in connection with transactions up to a certain value.

2. (2)

   However, if a firm obtains the means by which it can give the types of instructions referred to in CASS 8.2.1 R (4), but the firm cannot, in practice, use those means without the client's further involvement, then the condition in CASS 8.2.1 R (5) would not be met. For example, a firm might have the means by which it can give instructions of the type referred to in CASS 8.2.1 R (4)(a) in relation to an account maintained by another person for a client, but that other person might require the client's signature or other authorisation before it gives effect to those instructions.

A firm should distinguish between conditions placed by a client on the firm's use of a mandate, and criteria to which transactions effected by a firm with or for a client may be subject.

1. (1)

   The requirements in CASS 8.3.2 R (1) and CASS 8.3.2 R (3) apply only in respect of conditions placed around the firm's use of a mandate itself or around the instructions described in CASS 8.2.1 R (4). Examples of these include conditions under which a mandate may only be used by the firm in connection with transactions up to a certain value, or under which instructions under a mandate may only be given by certain personnel within the firm.

2. (2)

   The requirements in CASS 8.3.2 R (1) and CASS 8.3.2 R (3) do not apply in respect of criteria which relate to the nature and circumstances of transactions effected by a firm with or for a client. Examples of those criteria include investment restrictions or exposure limits for a managed portfolio, and required or preferred execution prices or execution venues.