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  1. Point in time
    2006-08-30

ENF 11.7 The standard of reasonable care

ENF 11.7.1G

In a number of circumstances the regulatory system requires a firm to take reasonable care in relation to particular behaviour. For example, Principle 3 requires a firm to take reasonable care to organise and control its affairs responsibly and effectively, with adequate risk management systems, and SYSC 3.1.1 R (taken with SYSC 3.1.2 G) requires a firm to take reasonable care to establish and maintain such systems and controls as are appropriate to the nature, scale and complexity of its business.

ENF 11.7.2G

In considering whether a firm has taken reasonable care, the FSA will consider all the circumstances of the case, and regards the following as particularly relevant:

  1. (1)

    what information the firm knew at the time of the behaviour, and what information they ought to have known in all the circumstances;

  2. (2)

    what steps the firm took to comply with the rule, and what steps they ought to have taken in all the circumstances; and

  3. (3)

    the standards of the regulatory system that applied at the time of the behaviour.

ENF 11.7.3G

Similar considerations will apply to those in ENF 11.7.2 G in considering whether an approved person took reasonable care or reasonable steps in relation to particular behaviour.