PERG 8.8 Having an effect in the United Kingdom

Section 21(3) of the Act states that, in the case of a communication originating outside the United Kingdom, the restriction in section 21(1) applies only if it is capable of having an effect in the United Kingdom. In this respect, it is irrelevant whether the communication has an effect provided it is capable of doing so.

This appears to give a potentially broad jurisdictional scope to section 21. It seems clear that a communication which originates overseas will be capable of having an effect in the United Kingdom if it is an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity which is communicated to a person in the United Kingdom. It would seem that communications made in other circumstances may also be capable of having an effect in the United Kingdom. However, the exemption for communications to overseas recipients in article 12 of the Financial Promotion Order (Communications to overseas recipients) (see PERG 8.12.2 G) prevents section 21 from applying to communications which are not directed at persons in the United Kingdom.

Where communications by persons in another EEA State are made to or directed at persons in the United Kingdom account must be taken of the effect of any relevant EU Directives. For example, the E-Commerce Directive will, with limited exceptions, prevent the United Kingdom from imposing restrictions on incoming financial promotions in information society services. The Treasury has given effect to this through the Financial Promotion Order (see1 PERG 8.12.38 G). Other potentially relevant directives include the Television Without Frontiers Directive (89/552/EEC). This prevents the United Kingdom from restricting the re-transmission in the United Kingdom of television broadcasts from other EEA States. The Financial Promotion Order does not have any specific provisions about the Television Without Frontiers Directive. However, it is not intended to block incoming television programmes from other EEA States. The FSA will take this into account in interpreting the Financial Promotion Order and enforcing the restriction in section 21 of the Act.