Reset to Today

To access the FCA Handbook Archive choose a date between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2004.

Content Options:

Content Options

View Options:

COMP 6.1 Application and Purpose

Application

COMP 6.1.1 R

This chapter applies to the FSCS.

COMP 6.1.2 G

It is also relevant to claimants.

Purpose

COMP 6.1.3 G

The purpose of this chapter is to specify the types of person against whom a claimant must have a claim in order to be eligible for compensation, and when those persons are 'in default'. Generally, this occurs when they are insolvent or unable to meet their liabilities to claimants.

COMP 6.1.4 G

To be eligible for compensation a claimant's claim must be against a relevant person1(or, where applicable, a successor) 1in default: see COMP 3.2.1 R (2).

COMP 6.3 When is a relevant person in default?

COMP 6.3.1 R

A relevant person is in default if:

  1. (1)

    (except in relation to an ICD claim6) the FSCS has determined it to be in default under COMP 6.3.2 R, COMP 6.3.3 R or6COMP 6.3.4 R6; or

  2. (2)

    (in relation to an ICD claim6):

    1. (a)

      the FCA6 has determined it to be in default under COMP 6.3.2 R; or

    2. (b)

      a judicial authority has made a ruling that had the effect of suspending the ability of eligible claimants to bring claims against the participant firm, if that is earlier than (a); and5

      5

    if a relevant person is in default in relation to an ICD claim6 it shall be deemed to be in default in relation to any other type of protected claim.5

COMP 6.3.1A

[Note: article 2(2)6 of the Investor Compensation Directive6]

COMP 6.3.2 R

The6 FSCS (or, where COMP 6.3.1 R(2)(a) applies, the FCA6) may determine a relevant person to be in default when it is, in the opinion of the FSCS (7or the FCA6)7:

  1. (1)

    unable to satisfy protected claims against it; or

  2. (2)

    likely to be unable to satisfy protected claims against it.

COMP 6.3.3 R

The6 FSCS may determine a relevant person to be in default if it is satisfied that a protected claim exists (other than an ICD claim6), and the relevant person is the subject of one or more of the following proceedings in the United Kingdom (or of equivalent or similar proceedings in another jurisdiction):

  1. (1)

    the passing of a resolution for a creditors' voluntary winding up;

  2. (2)

    a determination by the relevant person's Home State regulator that the relevant person appears unable to meet claims against it and has no early prospect of being able to do so;

  3. (3)

    the appointment of a liquidator or administrator, or provisional liquidator or interim manager;

  4. (4)

    the making of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction for the winding up of a company, the dissolution of a partnership, the administration of a company or partnership, or the bankruptcy of an individual;

  5. (5)

    the approval of a company voluntary arrangement, a partnership voluntary arrangement, or of an individual voluntary arrangement.

COMP 6.3.4 R

The6FSCS may6 determine6 a relevant person to be6in default if it is satisfied that a protected claim exists (other than an ICD claim)6, and:

3 3 1
  1. (1)

    the FSCS is satisfied that the relevant person cannot be contacted at its last place of business and that reasonable steps have been taken to establish a forwarding or current address, but without success; and

  2. (2)

    there appears to the FSCS to be no evidence that the relevant person will be able to meet claims made against it.

COMP 6.3.5 R

[deleted]

COMP 6.3.6 R

[deleted]

COMP 6.3.7 G

[deleted]

Claims arising under COMP 3.2.4 R2

COMP 6.3.8 R

2For the purposes of COMP 6.3 a claim made by a firm under COMP 3.2.4 R is to be treated as if it were a protected claim against the relevant person.

Scheme manager's power to require information

COMP 6.3.9 R

4For the purposes of sections 219(1A)(b) and (d) of the Act (Scheme manager's power to require information) whether a relevant person is unable or likely to be unable to satisfy claims shall be determined by reference to whether it is in default.

COMP 6.3A When is a successor in default?

COMP 6.3A.1 R
  1. (1)

    1A successor is in default if:

    1. (a)

      the FSCS has determined it to be in default under COMP 6.3A.2R, COMP 6.3A.3R, or COMP 6.3A.4R, unless the claim is within (b); or

    2. (b)

      (in relation to an ICD claim against a successor that is a MiFID investment firm):

      1. (i)

        the FCA has determined it to be in default under COMP 6.3A.2R; or

      2. (ii)

        a judicial authority has made a ruling that had the effect of suspending the ability of eligible claimants to bring claims against the successor, if that is earlier than (i).

  2. (2)

    If a successor is in default in relation to an ICD claim within (1)(b) it is to be deemed to be in default in relation to any other type of protected claim.

COMP 6.3A.2 R

The FSCS (or, where COMP 6.3A.1R(1)(b)(i) applies, the FCA) may determine a successor to be in default when it is, in the opinion of the FSCS (3or the FCA)3:

  1. (1)

    unable to satisfy protected claims against it; or

  2. (2)

    likely to be unable to satisfy protected claims against it.

COMP 6.3A.3 R

The FSCS may determine a successor to be in default if it is satisfied that a protected claim exists (other than an ICD claim against a successor that is a MiFID investment firm), and the successor is the subject of one or more of the following proceedings in the United Kingdom (or of equivalent or similar proceedings in another jurisdiction):

  1. (1)

    the passing of a resolution for a creditors' voluntary winding up; or

  2. (2)

    a determination by the successor’s Home State regulator that the successor appears unable to meet claims against it and has no early prospect of being able to do so; or

  3. (3)

    the appointment of a liquidator or administrator, or provisional liquidator or interim manager; or

  4. (4)

    the making of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction for the winding up of a company, the dissolution of a partnership, the administration of a company or partnership, or the bankruptcy of an individual; or

  5. (5)

    the approval of a company voluntary arrangement, a partnership voluntary arrangement, or an individual voluntary arrangement.

COMP 6.3A.4 R

The2FSCS may2 determine that a successor to be2in default if it is satisfied that a protected claim exists (other than an ICD claim against a successor that is an MiFID investment firm)2, and:

  1. (1)

    the FSCS is satisfied that the successor cannot be contacted at its last place of business and that reasonable steps have been taken to establish a forwarding or current address, but without success; and

  2. (2)

    there appears to the FSCS to be no evidence that the successor will be able to meet claims made against it.

COMP 6.3A.5 R

For the purposes of sections 219(1A)(b) and (d) of the Act (Scheme manager's power to require information) whether a successor is unable or likely to be unable to satisfy claims is to be determined by reference to whether it is in default.