1Introduction |
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1. |
An accredited body is a body appearing in the list of such bodies in the Glossary.1 1 |
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2. |
Information on accredited bodies, including guidance on the process for including an applicant body in the list, is set out below and the obligation to pay the application fee is set out in FEES 3.2. |
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3. |
[deleted]1 1 |
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Process for including a body in the list of accredited bodies |
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4. |
In considering the compatibility of a proposed addition with the statutory objectives, the FCA will determine whether the applicant will, if accredited, contribute to securing an appropriate degree of protection for consumers having regard in particular to: |
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(1) |
the matters set out in paragraphs 10 to 20; and |
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(2) |
the rules and practices of the applicant. |
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5. |
An application to the FCA to be added to the list of accredited bodies should set out how the applicant will satisfy the criteria in paragraphs 10 to 20. The application should be accompanied by a report from a suitable auditor which sets out its independent assessment of the applicant's ability to meet these criteria. An application form is available from the FCA upon request. |
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6. |
When considering an application for accredited body status the FCA may: |
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(1) |
carry out any enquiries and request any further information that it considers appropriate, including consulting other regulators; |
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(2) |
ask the applicant or its specified representative to answer questions and explain any matter the FCA considers relevant to the application; |
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(3) |
take into account any information which the FCA considers appropriate to the application; and |
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(4) |
request that any information provided by the applicant or its specified representative is verified in such a manner as the FCA may specify. |
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7. |
The FCA will confirm its decision in writing to the applicant. |
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8. |
The FCA will enter into an agreement with the applicant or accredited body which will specify the requirements that the accredited body must meet. These will include the matters set out in paragraphs 10 to 20. Approval as an accredited body becomes effective only when the name of the applicant is added to the Glossary definition of accredited body. |
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9. |
Paragraphs 10 to 20 set out the criteria which an applicant should meet to become an accredited body and which an accredited body should meet at all times. |
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Acting in the public interest and furthering the development of the profession |
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10. |
The FCA will expect an accredited body to act in the public interest, to contribute to raising consumer confidence and professional standards in the retail investment advice market and to promoting the profession. |
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Carrying out effective verification services |
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11. |
If independent verification of a retail investment adviser's professional standards has been carried out by an accredited body, the FCA will expect the accredited body to provide the retail investment adviser with evidence of that verification in a durable medium and in a form agreed by the FCA. This is referred to in this Appendix and TC 2.1.28 R as a 'statement of professional standing'. |
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12. |
The FCA will expect an accredited body to have in place effective procedures for carrying out its verification activities. These should include: |
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(1) |
verifying that each retail investment adviser who is a member of or subscriber to the accredited body's verification service has made an annual declaration in writing that the retail investment adviser has, in the preceding 12 months, complied with APER and completed the continuing professional development required under TC 2.1.15 R;1 |
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(2) |
verifying annually the continuing professional development records of no less than 10% of the retail investment advisers who have used its service in the previous 12 months to ensure that the records are accurate and the continuing professional development completed by the retail investment advisers is appropriate; and |
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(3) |
verifying that, if required by TC, the retail investment advisers who use its services have attained an appropriate qualification. This should include, where relevant, checking that appropriate qualification gap-fill records have been completed by the retail investment advisers. |
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13. |
The FCA will not expect an accredited body to carry out the verification in paragraph 12(3) if a retail investment adviser provides the accredited body with evidence in a durable medium which demonstrates that another accredited body has previously verified the retail investment adviser's appropriate qualification, including, where relevant, appropriate qualification gap-fill. |
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14. |
The FCA will expect an accredited body to make it a contractual condition of membership (where a retail investment adviser is a member of the accredited body) or of using its verification service (where a retail investment adviser is not a member of the accredited body) that, as a minimum, the accredited body will not continue to verify a retail investment adviser's standards and will withdraw its statement of professional standing if the accredited body is provided with false information in relation to a retail investment adviser's qualifications or continuing professional development or a false declaration in relation to a retail investment adviser's compliance with APER. In this regard, an accredited body must have in place appropriate decision-making procedures with a suitable degree of independence and transparency. |
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Having appropriate systems and controls in place and providing evidence to the FCA of continuing effectiveness |
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15. |
The FCA will expect an accredited body to ensure that it has adequate resources and systems and controls in place in relation to its role as an accredited body. |
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16. |
The FCA will expect an accredited body to have effective procedures in place for the management of conflicts of interest and have a well-balanced governance structure with at least one member who is independent of the sector. |
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17. |
The FCA will expect an accredited body to have a code of ethics and to ensure that its code of ethics and verification service terms and conditions do not contain any provisions that conflict with APER. |
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Ongoing cooperation with the FCA |
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18. |
The FCA will expect an accredited body to provide the FCA with such documents and information as the FCA reasonably requires, and to cooperate with the FCA in an open and transparent manner. |
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19. |
The FCA will expect an accredited body to share information with the FCA (subject to any legal constraints) in relation to the professional standards of the retail investment advisers who use its service as appropriate. Examples might include conduct issues, complaints, dishonestly obtaining or falsifying qualifications or continuing professional development or a failure to complete appropriate continuing professional development. The FCA will expect an accredited body to notify the firm if issues such as these arise. |
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20. |
The FCA will expect an accredited body to submit to the FCA an annual report by a suitable independent auditor which sets out that auditor's assessment of the quality of the body's satisfaction of the criteria in paragraphs 10 to 19 in the preceding 12 months and whether, in the auditor's view, the body is capable of satisfying the criteria in the subsequent 12 months. The FCA will expect this annual report to be submitted to the FCA within three months of the anniversary of the date on which the accredited body was added to the Glossary definition of accredited body. |
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Withdrawal of accreditation |
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21. |
If an accredited body fails or, in the FCA's view, is likely to fail to satisfy the criteria, the FCA will discuss this with the accredited body concerned. If, following a period of discussion, the accredited body has failed to take appropriate corrective action to ensure that it satisfies and will continue to satisfy the criteria, the FCA will withdraw the accredited body's accreditation by removing its name from the list of accredited bodies published in the Glossary. The FCA will expect the body to notify each retail investment adviser holding a current statement of professional standing of the FCA's decision. A statement of professional standing issued by the accredited body before the withdrawal of accreditation will continue to be valid until its expiration. |
Related provisions for SUP 3.6.1
Module |
Relevance to Credit Unions |
The Principles for Businesses (PRIN) |
The Principles for Businesses (PRIN) set out, high-level requirements, some of which are imposed by the FCA and some by the PRA.12 They provide a general statement of regulatory requirements. The Principles apply to all12credit unions. In applying the Principles to credit unions, the appropriate regulator12 will be mindful of proportionality. In practice, the implications are likely to vary according to the size of the credit union. 121212 |
Senior Management Arrangements, Systems and Controls (SYSC) |
SYSC 1 and SYSC 4 to 10 apply to all credit unions in respect of the carrying on of their regulated activities and unregulated activities in a prudential context. SYSC 18 applies to all credit unions without restriction. |
Threshold Conditions (COND) |
In order to become authorised under the Act all firms must meet the threshold conditions. The threshold conditions must be met on a continuing basis by credit unions. Failure to meet one of the conditions is sufficient grounds for the exercise by the appropriate regulator12 of its powers. 1212 |
Statements of Principle and Code of Practice for Approved Persons (APER) |
The purpose of the Statements of Principle contained in APER 2 is to provide guidance to approved persons in relation to the conduct expected of them in the performance of a controlled function. The Code of Practice for Approved Persons sets out descriptions of conduct which, in the opinion of the appropriate regulator12, do not comply with a Statement of Principle and, in the case of Statement of Principle 3, conduct which tends to show compliance within that statement. 12 |
The Fit and Proper test for Approved Persons (FIT) |
The purpose of FIT is to set out and describe the criteria that the appropriate regulator12 will consider when assessing the fitness and propriety of a person in respect of whom an application is being made for approval to undertake a controlled function under the approved persons regime. The criteria are also relevant in assessing the continuing fitness and propriety of persons who have already been approved. 12 |
General Provisions (GEN) |
GEN contains rules and guidance on general matters, including interpreting the Handbook, statutory status disclosure, the appropriate regulator's12 logo and insurance against financial penalties. |
Fees manual (FEES) |
This manual sets out the fees applying to credit unions. |
Conduct of Business sourcebook (COBS) |
A credit union which acts as a CTF provider or provides a cash-deposit ISA will need to be aware of the relevant requirements in COBS. COBS 4.6 (Past, simulated past and future performance), COBS 4.7.1 R (Direct offer financial promotions), COBS 4.10 (Systems and controls and approving and communicating financial promotions), COBS 13 (Preparing product information) and COBS 14 (Providing product information to clients) apply with respect to accepting deposits as set out in those provisions, COBS 4.1 and BCOBS. |
Banking: Conduct of Business sourcebook (BCOBS) |
BCOBS sets out rules and guidance for credit unions on how they should conduct their business with their customers. In particular there are rules and guidance relating to communications with banking customers and financial promotions (BCOBS 2), distance communications (BCOBS 3), information to be communicated to banking customers (BCOBS 4), post sale requirements (BCOBS 5), and cancellation (BCOBS 6). BCOBS 5.1.13 R (Value dating) does not apply to credit unions. The rules in BCOBS 3.1 that relate to distance contracts for accepting deposits are likely to have limited application to a credit union. This is because the Distance Marketing Directive only applies where there is "an organised distance sales or service-provision scheme run by the supplier" (Article 2(a)). If, therefore, the credit union normally operates face to face and has not set up facilities to enable customers to deal with it at a distance, such as facilities for a customer to deal with it purely by post, telephone, fax or the Internet, the provisions will not be relevant. |
Supervision manual (SUP) |
The following provisions of SUP are relevant to credit unions: 13SUP 1A13 (The appropriate regulator's12 approach to supervision), SUP 2 (Information gathering by the appropriate regulator12 on its own initiative), SUP 3.1 to SUP 3.8 (Auditors), SUP 5 (Skilled persons), SUP 6 (Applications to vary or cancel Part 4A12permission), SUP 7 (Individual requirements), SUP 8 (Waiver and modification of rules), SUP 9 (Individual guidance), 13SUP 10A and SUP 10B13 (Approved persons), SUP 11 (Controllers and Close links), SUP 15 (Notifications to the appropriate regulator12) and SUP 16 (Reporting Requirements). Credit unions are reminded that they are subject to the requirements of the Act and SUP 11 on controllers and close links, and are bound to notify the appropriate regulator12 of changes. It may be unlikely, in practice, that credit unions will develop such relationships. It is possible, however, that a person may acquire control of a credit union within the meaning of the Act by reason of holding the prescribed proportion of deferred shares in the credit union. In relation to SUP 16, credit unions are exempted from the requirement to submit annual reports of controllers and close links. 1212121212 |
Decision, Procedure and Penalties manual (DEPP) |
DEPP is relevant to credit unions because it sets out: (1) the FCA's12 decision-making procedure for giving statutory notices. These are warning notices, decision notices and supervisory notices (DEPP 1.2 to DEPP 5); and (2) the FCA's12 policy with respect to the imposition and amount of penalties under the Act (see DEPP 6). 1212 |
Dispute Resolution: Complaints (DISP) |
DISP sets out rules and guidance in relation to treating complainants fairly and the Financial Ombudsman Service. |
Compensation (COMP) |
COMP sets out rules relating to the scheme for compensating consumers when authorised firms are unable, or likely to be unable, to satisfy claims against them.12 |
The Enforcement Guide (EG) |
The Enforcement Guide (EG) describes the FCA's12 approach to exercising the main enforcement powers given to it by the Act and by regulation 12 of the Unfair Terms Regulations. 12 |
Financial crime: a guide for firms (FC) |
FC provides guidance on steps that a firm can take to reduce the risk that it might be used to further financial crime. |
29.8 |
Annual financial report |
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9.81 |
R |
[not used] |
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9.8.2 |
R |
[not used] |
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9.8.3 |
R |
[not used] |
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Information to be included in annual report and accounts |
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9.8.4 |
R |
In addition to the requirements set out in DTR 4.1 a listed company must include in its annual financial report, where applicable, the following: |
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(1) |
a statement of the amount of interest capitalised by the group during the period under review with an indication of the amount and treatment of any related tax relief; |
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(2) |
any information required by LR 9.2.18 R (Publication of unaudited financial information); |
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(3) |
details of any small related party transaction as required by LR 11.1.10 R (2)(c); |
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(4) |
details of any long-term incentive schemes as required by LR 9.4.3 R; |
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(5) |
details of any arrangements under which a director of the company has waived or agreed to waive any emoluments from the company or any subsidiary undertaking; |
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(6) |
where a director has agreed to waive future emoluments, details of such waiver together with those relating to emoluments which were waived during the period under review; |
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(7) |
in the case of any allotment for cash of equity securities made during the period under review otherwise than to the holders of the company'sequity shares in proportion to their holdings of such equity shares and which has not been specifically authorised by the company's shareholders: |
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(a) |
the classes of shares allotted and for each class of shares, the number allotted, their aggregate nominal value and the consideration received by the company for the allotment; |
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(b) |
the names of the allottees, if less than six in number, and in the case of six or more allottees a brief generic description of each new class of equity holder (e.g. holder of loan stock); |
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(c) |
the market price of the allotted securities on the date on which the terms of the issue were fixed; and |
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(d) |
the date on which the terms of the issue were fixed; |
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(8) |
the information required by paragraph (7) must be given for any unlisted major subsidiary undertaking of the company; |
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(9) |
where a listed company has listed shares in issue and is a subsidiary undertaking of another company, details of the participation by the parent undertaking in any placing made during the period under review; |
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(10) |
details of any contract of significance subsisting during the period under review: |
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(a) |
to which the listed company, or one of its subsidiary undertakings, is a party and in which a director of the listed company is or was materially interested; and |
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(b) |
between the listed company, or one of its subsidiary undertakings, and a controlling shareholder; |
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(11) |
details of any contract for the provision of services to the listed company or any of its subsidiary undertakings by a controlling shareholder, subsisting during the period under review, unless: |
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(a) |
it is a contract for the provision of services which it is the principal business of the shareholder to provide; and |
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(b) |
it is not a contract of significance; |
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(12) |
details of any arrangement under which a shareholder has waived or agreed to waive any dividends; and |
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(13) |
where a shareholder has agreed to waive future dividends, details of such waiver together with those relating to dividends which are payable during the period under review. |
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9.8.5 |
G |
A listed company need not include with the annual report and accounts details of waivers of dividends of less than 1% of the total value of any dividend provided that some payment has been made on each share of the relevant class during the relevant calendar year. |
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Additional information |
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9.8.6 |
R |
In the case of a listed company incorporated in the United Kingdom, the following additional items must be included in its annual financial report: |
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(1) |
a statement setting out all the interests (in respect of which transactions are notifiable to the company under DTR 3.1.2 R) of each person who is a director of the listed company as at the end of the period under review including: |
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(a) |
all changes in the interests of each director that have occurred between the end of the period under review and a date not more than one month prior to the date of the notice of the annual general meeting; or |
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(b) |
if there have been no changes in the period described in paragraph (a), a statement that there have been no changes in the interests of each director; |
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Interests of each director include the interests of connected persons of which the listed company is, or ought upon reasonable enquiry to become, aware. |
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(2) |
a statement showing the interests disclosed to the listed company in accordance with DTR 5 as at the end of the period under review and: |
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(a) |
all interests disclosed to the listed company in accordance with DTR 5 that have occurred between the end of the period under review and a date not more than one month prior to the date of the notice of the annual general meeting; or |
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(b) |
if no interests have been disclosed to the listed company in accordance with DTR 5 in the period described in (a), a statement that no changes have been disclosed to the listed company; |
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(3) |
a statement made by the directors that the business is a going concern, together with supporting assumptions or qualifications as necessary, that has been prepared in accordance with Going Concern and Liquidity Risk: Guidance for Directors of UK Companies 2009, published by the Financial Reporting Council in October 2009; |
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(4) |
a statement setting out: |
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(a) |
details of any shareholders' authority for the purchase, by the listed company of its own shares that is still valid at the end of the period under review; |
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(b) |
in the case of purchases made otherwise than through the market or by tender to all shareholders, the names of sellers of such shares purchased, or proposed to be purchased, by the listed company during the period under review; |
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(c) |
in the case of any purchases made otherwise than through the market or by tender or partial offer to all shareholders, or options or contracts to make such purchases, entered into since the end of the period covered by the report, information equivalent to that required under Part 2 of Schedule 7 to the Large & Medium Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (SI 2008/410) (Disclosure required by company acquiring its own shares etc) ; and |
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(d) |
in the case of sales of treasury shares for cash made otherwise than through the market, or in connection with an employees' share scheme, or otherwise than pursuant to an opportunity which (so far as was practicable) was made available to all holders of the listed company'ssecurities (or to all holders of a relevant class of its securities) on the same terms, particulars of the names of purchasers of such shares sold, or proposed to be sold, by the company during the period under review; |
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(5) |
a statement of how the listed company has applied the Main Principles set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code, in a manner that would enable shareholders to evaluate how the principles have been applied; |
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(6) |
a statement as to whether the listed company has: |
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(a) |
complied throughout the accounting period with all relevant provisions set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code; or |
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(b) |
not complied throughout the accounting period with all relevant provisions set out in the UK Corporate Governance Code and if so, setting out: |
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(i) |
those provisions, if any it has not complied with; |
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(ii) |
in the case of provisions whose requirements are of a continuing nature, the period within which, if any, it did not comply with some or all of those provisions; and |
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(iii) |
the company's reasons for non-compliance; and |
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(7) |
a report to the shareholders by the Board which contains all the matters set out in LR 9.8.8 R. |
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9.8.6A |
G |
(1) |
The effect of LR 9.8.6 R (1) is that a listed company is required to set out a 'snapshot' of the total interests of a director and his or her connected persons, as at the end of the period under review (including certain information to update it as at a date not more than a month before the date of the notice of the annual general meeting). The interests that need to be set out are limited to those in respect of which transactions fall to be notified under the notification requirement for PDMRs in DTR 3.1.2 R. Persons who are directors during, but not at the end of, the period under review need not be included. |
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(2) |
A listed company unable to compile the statement in LR 9.8.6 R (1) from information already available to it may need to seek the relevant information, or confirmation, from the director himself, including that in relation to connected persons, but would not be expected to obtain information directly from connected persons. |
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9.8.7 |
R |
An overseas company with a premium listing must include in its annual report and accounts the information in LR 9.8.6 R (5), LR 9.8.6 R (6) and LR 9.8.8 R (9). |
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9.8.7A |
R |
(1) |
An overseas company with a premium listing that is not required to comply with requirements imposed by another EEA State that correspond to DTR 7.2 (Corporate governance statements) must comply with DTR 7.2 as if it were an issuer to which that section applies. |
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(2) |
An overseas company with a premium listing which complies with LR 9.8.7 R will be taken to satisfy the requirements of DTR 7.2.2 R and DTR 7.2.3 R, but (unless it is required to comply with requirements imposed by another EEA State that correspond to DTR 7.2) must comply with all of the other requirements of DTR 7.2 as if it were an issuer to which that section applies. |
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Report to shareholders |
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9.8.8 |
R |
The report to the shareholders by the Board required by LR 9.8.6 R (7) must contain the following: |
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(1) |
a statement of the listed company's policy on executive directors' remuneration; |
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(2) |
information presented in tabular form, unless inappropriate, together with explanatory notes as necessary on: |
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(a) |
the amount of each element in the remuneration package for the period under review of each director, by name, including but not restricted to, basic salary and fees, the estimated money value of benefits in kind, annual bonuses, deferred bonuses, compensation for loss of office and payments for breach of contract or other termination payments; |
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(b) |
the total remuneration for each director for the period under review and for the corresponding prior period; |
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(c) |
any significant payments made to former directors during the period under review; and |
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(d) |
any share options, including Save-as-you-earn options, for each director, by name, in accordance with the requirements of the Directors' Remuneration Report Regulations; |
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(3) |
details of any long-term incentive schemes, other than share options as required by paragraph (2)(d), including the interests of each director, by name, in the long-term incentive schemes at the start of the period under review; |
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(4) |
details of any entitlements or awards granted and commitments made to each director under any long-term incentive schemes during the period, showing which crystallize either in the same year or in subsequent years; |
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(5) |
details of the monetary value and number of shares, cash payments or other benefits received by each director under any long-term incentive schemes during the period; |
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(6) |
details of the interests of each director in the long-term incentive schemes at the end of the period; |
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(7) |
an explanation and justification of any element of a director's remuneration, other than basic salary, which is pensionable; |
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(8) |
details of any director's service contract with a notice period in excess of one year or with provisions for pre-determined compensation on termination which exceeds one year's salary and benefits in kind, giving the reasons for such notice period; |
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(9) |
details of the unexpired term of any directors' service contract of a director proposed for election or re-election at the forthcoming annual general meeting, and, if any director proposed for election or re-election does not have a directors' service contract, a statement to that effect; |
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(10) |
a statement of the listed company's policy on the granting of options or awards under its employee share scheme and other long-term incentive schemes, explaining and justifying any departure from that policy in the period under review and any change in the policy from the preceding year; |
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(11) |
for money purchase schemes details of the contribution or allowance payable or made by the listed company in respect of each director during the period under review; and |
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(12) |
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a) |
details of the amount of the increase during the period under review (excluding inflation) and of the accumulated total amount at the end of the period in respect of the accrued benefit to which each director would be entitled on leaving service or is entitled having left service during the period under review; |
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(b) |
either: |
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(i) |
the transfer value (less director's contributions) of the relevant increase in accrued benefit (to be calculated in accordance with regulations 7 to 7E of the Occupational Pension Schemes (Transfer Values) Regulations 1996 but making no deduction for any under-funding) as at the end of the period; or |
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(ii) |
so much of the following information as is necessary to make a reasonable assessment of the transfer value in respect of each director: |
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(A) age; |
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(B) normal retirement age; |
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(C) the amount of any contributions paid or payable by the director under the terms of the scheme during the period under review; |
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(D) details of spouses and dependants benefits; |
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(E) early retirement rights and options; |
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(F) expectations of pension increases after retirement (whether guaranteed or discretionary); and |
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(G) discretionary benefits for which allowance is made in transfer values on leaving and any other relevant information which will significantly affect the value of the benefits; and |
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(c) |
no disclosure of voluntary contributions and benefits. |
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Information required by law |
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9.8.9 |
G |
The requirements of LR 9.8.6 R (6) and LR 9.8.8 R relating to corporate governance are additional to the information required by law to be included in the listed company's annual report and accounts. |
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Auditors report |
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9.8.10 |
R |
A listed company must ensure that the auditors review each of the following before the annual report is published: |
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(1) |
LR 9.8.6R(3) (statement by the directors that the business is a going concern); and |
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(2) |
the parts of the statement required byLR 9.8.6 R (6) (corporate governance) that relate to the following provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code: |
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(a) |
C.1.1; |
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(b) |
C.2.1; and |
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(c) |
C.3.1 to C.3.7. |
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9.8.11 |
R |
A listed company must ensure that the auditors review the following disclosures: |
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(1) |
LR 9.8.8 R (2) (amount of each element in the remuneration package and information on share options); |
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(2) |
LR 9.8.8 R (3), LR 9.8.8 R (4) and (5) (details of long term incentive schemes for directors); |
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(3) |
LR 9.8.8 R (11) (money purchase schemes); and |
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(4) |
LR 9.8.8 R (12) (defined benefit schemes). |
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9.8.12 |
R |
If, in the opinion of the auditors the listed company has not complied with any of the requirements set out in LR 9.8.11 R the listed company must ensure that the auditors' report includes, to the extent possible, a statement giving details of the non-compliance. |
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Summary financial statements |
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9.8.13 |
R |
Any summary financial statement issued by a listed company as permitted under the Companies Act 2006, must disclose: |
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(1) |
earnings per share; and |
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(2) |
the information required for summary financial statements set out in or under the Companies Act 2006. |
This table belongs to COLL 8.3.2 R.
1 |
Document status |
|||
A statement that this document is the prospectus of the authorised fund valid as at a particular date which shall be the date of the document. |
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2 |
Description of the authorised fund |
|||
Information detailing: |
||||
(1) |
the name of the authorised fund; |
|||
(2) |
that the authorised fund is either an ICVC, ACS11 or an AUT; |
|||
(3) |
that the scheme is a qualified investor scheme; |
|||
(4) |
where relevant, that the unitholders in an ICVC are not liable for the debts of the authorised fund; |
|||
(5) |
where relevant, the address of the ICVC's head office and the address in the United Kingdom for service on the ICVC of documents required or authorised to be served on it; |
|||
(6) |
the effective date of the authorisation order made by the FCA and, if the duration of the authorised fund is not unlimited, when it will or may terminate; |
|||
(7) |
the base currency for the authorised fund; |
|||
(8) |
where relevant, the maximum and minimum sizes of the ICVC's capital; 11 |
|||
(9) |
the circumstances in which the authorised fund may be wound up under the rules in COLL and a summary of the procedure for, and the rights of unitholders under, such a winding up; and11 11 |
|||
(10)11 |
for an ACS that is a limited partnership scheme, the address of the proposed principal place of business of the limited partnership scheme. |
|||
3 |
Investment objectives and policy |
|||
(1) |
Sufficient information to enable a unitholder to ascertain: |
|||
(a) |
the investment objectives of the authorised fund; |
|||
(b) |
the authorised fund's investment policy for achieving those investment objectives, including: |
|||
(i) |
the general nature of the portfolio and any intended specialisation; |
|||
(ii) |
the policy for the spreading of risk in the scheme property; and |
|||
(iii) |
the policy in relation to the exercise of borrowing powers; |
|||
(c) |
a description of any restrictions in the assets in which investment may be made; and |
|||
(d) |
the extent (if any) to which that investment policy does not envisage remaining fully invested at all times. |
|||
(2) |
For investment in immovables : |
|||
(a) |
the countries or territories of immovables in which the authorised fund may invest; |
|||
(b) |
the policy of the authorised fund manager in relation to insurance of immovables forming part of the scheme property; and |
|||
(c) |
the policy of the authorised fund manager in relation to the granting of options over immovables in the scheme property and the purchase of options on immovables. |
|||
(3) |
If intended, whether the scheme property may consist of units in collective investment schemes ("second schemes") which are managed by or operated by the authorised fund manager or by one of its associates and a statement as: |
|||
(a) |
to the basis of the maximum amount of the charges in respect of transactions in a second scheme; and |
|||
(b) |
the extent to which any such charges will be reimbursed to the scheme. |
|||
(4) |
If intended, whether the scheme may enter into stock lending transactions and, if so, what procedures will operate and what collateral will be required. |
|||
(5) |
Where a scheme is a feeder scheme which (in respect of investment in units in a single collective investment scheme) is dedicated to units in a collective investment scheme, details of the master scheme and the minimum (and, if relevant, maximum) investment that the feeder scheme may make in it;8 |
|||
(6) |
Where the scheme is a money market fund or a short-term money market fund, a statement identifying it as such a fund and a statement that the scheme's investment objectives and policies will meet the conditions in the definition of money market fund or short-term money market fund, as appropriate.9 |
|||
4 |
Distributions and accounting dates |
|||
Relevant details of accounting and distribution dates and a description of the procedures: |
||||
(1) |
for determining and applying income (including how any distributable income is paid); and |
|||
(2) |
relating to unclaimed distributions. |
|||
5 |
The characteristics of units in the authorised fund |
|||
Information as to: |
||||
(1) |
the names of the classes of units in issue or available for issue and the rights attached to them in so far as they vary from the rights attached to other classes; |
|||
(2) |
how unitholders may exercise their voting rights and what these are; and |
|||
(3) |
the circumstances where a mandatory redemption, cancellation or conversion of units from one class to another may be required.11 |
|||
115A |
Issue of units in ACSs: eligible investors |
|||
(1) |
A statement that units may not be issued to a person other than to a person : 12 |
|||
(a) |
who 12is a: |
|||
(i) |
||||
(ii) |
||||
(iii) |
||||
(b) |
to whom units in a qualified investor scheme may be promoted under COBS 4.12.4 R.12 12 |
|||
(2) |
A statement that the authorised contractual scheme manager of an ACS must redeemunits as soon as practicable after becoming aware that those units are vested in anyone (whether as a result of subscription or transfer of units) other than a person meeting the criteria in (1). |
|||
115B |
Transfer of units in ACSs |
|||
(1) |
A statement whether the transfer of units in the ACSscheme is either: |
|||
(a) |
prohibited; or |
|||
(b) |
allowed; |
|||
by the instrument constituting the fund13 and prospectus. 13 |
||||
(2) |
A statement that where transfer of units is allowed by the instrument constituting the fund13 and prospectus in accordance with (1)(b), units may only be transferred in accordance with the conditions specified by FCArules, including that units may not be transferred to a person other than a person : 1312 |
|||
(a) |
who 12is a: |
|||
(i) |
||||
(ii) |
||||
(iii) |
||||
(b) |
to whom units in a qualified investor scheme may be promoted under COBS 4.12.4 R.12 12 |
|||
(3) |
For a co-ownership scheme which is an umbrella, a statement in accordance with (1)(a) or (1)(b) and, where appropriate, a statement in accordance with (2), must also be made for the sub-funds. Where individual sub-funds have differing policies in relation to transfer of units, separate statements are required. |
|||
6 |
The authorised fund manager |
|||
The following particulars of the authorised fund manager: |
||||
(1) |
its name and the nature of its corporate form; |
|||
(2) |
the country or territory of its incorporation; |
|||
(3) |
the date of its incorporation and if the duration of its corporate status is limited, when that status will or may cease; |
|||
(4) |
if it is a subsidiary, the name of its ultimate holding company and the country or territory in which that holding company is incorporated; |
|||
(5) |
the address of its registered office, its head office, and, if different, the address of its principal place of business in the United Kingdom; |
|||
(6) |
the amount of its issued share capital and how much of it is paid up; |
|||
(7) |
for an ICVC, a summary of the material provisions of the contract between the ICVC and the authorised fund manager which may be relevant to unitholders including provisions (if any) relating to termination, compensation on termination and indemnity; and |
|||
(8) |
for an AUT, the names of the directors of the authorised fund manager.11 11 |
|||
7 |
Directors of an ICVC, other than the ACD |
|||
Other than for the ACD: |
||||
(1) |
||||
(2) |
the manner, amount and calculation of the remuneration of the directors. |
|||
8 |
The depositary |
|||
The following particulars of the depositary: |
||||
(1) |
its name and the nature of its corporate form; |
|||
(2) |
the country or territory of its incorporation; |
|||
(3) |
the address of its registered office and the address of its head office if that is different from the address of its registered office; and |
|||
(4) |
if neither its registered office nor its head office is in the United Kingdom, the address of its principal place of business in the United Kingdom. |
|||
9 |
The investment adviser |
|||
If an investment adviser is retained in connection with the business of the authorised fund, its name and whether or not it is authorised by the FCA. |
||||
10 |
The auditor |
|||
The name of the auditor of the authorised fund. |
||||
11 |
The register of Unitholders |
|||
Details of the address in the United Kingdom where the register of unitholders is kept and can be inspected by unitholders. |
||||
12 |
Payments out of the scheme property |
|||
The payments that may be made out of the scheme property to any person whether by way of remuneration for services, or reimbursement of expense and for each category of remuneration or expense, the following should be specified: |
||||
(1) |
the current rates or amounts of such remuneration; |
|||
(2) |
how the remuneration will be calculated and accrue and when it will be paid; |
|||
(3) |
if notice has been given to unitholders of the authorised fund manager's intention to: |
|||
(a) |
introduce a new category of remuneration for its services; or |
|||
(b) |
increase the basis of any current charge; or |
|||
(c) |
change the basis of the treatment of a payment from the capital property set out in COLL 8.5.13 R (2) (Payments); |
|||
particulars of that introduction or increase and when it will take place; |
||||
(4) |
the types of any other charges and expenses that may be taken out of the scheme property; and |
|||
(5) |
if, in accordance with COLL 8.5.13 R (2), all or part of the remuneration or expense are to be treated as a capital charge: |
|||
(a) |
that fact; and |
|||
(b) |
the basis of the charge which may be so treated |
|||
13 |
Dealing |
|||
Details of: |
||||
(1) |
the dealing days and times in the dealing day on which the authorised fund manager will receive requests for the sale and redemption of units; |
|||
(2) |
the procedures for effecting: |
|||
(a) |
the issue and cancellation of units; |
|||
(b) |
the sale and redemption of units; and |
|||
(c) |
the settlement of transactions; |
|||
(3) |
the steps required to be taken by a unitholder in redeeming units before he can receive the proceeds including any relevant notice periods and the circumstances and periods where a deferral of payment as provided in COLL 8.5.11 R (3) (Sale and redemption) may be applied; |
|||
(4) |
the circumstances in which the redemption of units may be suspended; |
|||
(5) |
the days and times in the day on which recalculation of the price will commence; |
|||
(6) |
details of the minimum number or value of each type of unit in the authorised fund which: |
|||
(a) |
any one person may hold; and |
|||
(b) |
may be the subject of any one transaction of sale or redemption; |
|||
(7) |
the circumstances in which the authorised fund manager may arrange for, and the procedure for, a redemption of units in specie; |
|||
(8) |
the circumstances in which the further issue of units in any particular class may be limited and the procedures relating to this:66 |
|||
(9) |
the circumstances in which direct issue or cancellation of units by the ICVC or the depositary of an AUT or ACS11 (as appropriate) may occur and the relevant procedures for such issues and cancellations; and66 11 |
|||
(10) |
6whether a unitholder may effect transfer of title to units on the authority of an electronic communication and if so the conditions that must be satisfied in order to effect a transfer.6 |
|||
14 |
Valuation of scheme property |
|||
Details as to: |
||||
(1) |
how frequently and at what times of the day the scheme property will be regularly valued to determine the price at which units in the scheme may be purchased from or redeemed by the authorised fund manager and a description of any circumstance where the scheme property may be specially valued; |
|||
(2) |
in relation to each purpose for which the scheme property must be valued, the basis on which it will be valued; and |
|||
(3) |
how the price of units of each class will be determined, including whether a forward price or historic price basis is to be applied. |
|||
15 |
Sale and redemption charges |
|||
If the authorised fund manager makes any charges on sale or redemption of units, details of the charging structure and how notice will be provided to unitholders of any increase. |
||||
15A5 |
Property Authorised Investment Funds |
|||
For a property authorised investment fund, a statement that: |
||||
(1) |
it is a property authorised investment fund; |
|||
(2) |
no body corporate may seek to obtain or intentionally maintain a holding of more than 10% of the net asset value of the fund; and |
|||
(3) |
in the event that the authorised fund manager reasonably considers that a body corporate holds more than 10% of the net asset value of the fund, the authorised fund manager is entitled to delay any redemption or cancellation of units if the authorised fund manager reasonably considers such action to be: |
|||
(a) |
necessary in order to enable an orderly reduction of the holding to below 10%; and |
|||
(b) |
in the interests of the unitholders as a whole. |
|||
16 |
General information |
|||
Details as to: |
||||
(1) |
when annual and half- yearly reports will be published; and |
|||
(2) |
the address at which copies of the instrument constituting the fund,13 any amending instrument and the most recent annual reports may be inspected and from which copies may be obtained. 13 |
|||
17 |
Information on the umbrella |
|||
In the case of a scheme which is an umbrella, the following information: |
||||
(1) |
that a unitholder may exchange units in one sub-fund for units in another sub-fund and that such an exchange is treated as a redemption and sale; |
|||
(2) |
what charges may be made on exchanging units in one sub-fund for units in other sub-funds; |
|||
(3) |
the policy for allocating between sub-funds any assets of, or costs, charges and expenses payable out of, the scheme property which are not attributable to any particular sub-fund; |
|||
(4) |
in respect of each sub-fund, the currency in which the scheme property allocated to it will be valued and the price of units calculated and payments made, if this currency is not the base currency of the umbrella; and |
|||
(5) |
for an ICVC or a co-ownership scheme,11 that:10 10 |
|||
10(a) |
for an ICVC,11 its sub-funds are segregated portfolios of assets and, accordingly, the assets of a sub-fund belong exclusively to that sub-fund and shall not be used to discharge directly or indirectly the liabilities of, or claims against, any other person or body, including the umbrella, or any other sub-fund, and shall not be available for any such purpose; 11 |
|||
11(aa) |
for a co-ownership scheme, the property subject to a sub-fund is beneficially owned by the participants in that sub-fund as tenants in common (or, in Scotland, is the common property of the participants in that sub-fund) and must not be used to discharge any liabilities of, or meet any claims against, any person other than the participants in that sub-fund; and |
|||
10(b) |
for an ICVC or a co-ownership scheme,11 while the provisions of the OEIC Regulations, and section 261P (Segregated liability in relation to umbrella co-ownership schemes) of the Act in the case of co-ownership schemes,11 provide for segregated liability between sub-funds, the concept of segregated liability is relatively new. Accordingly, where claims are brought by local creditors in foreign courts or under foreign law contracts, it is not yet known how those foreign courts will react to regulations 11A and 11B of the OEIC Regulations or, as the case may be, section 261P of the Act.11 11 |
|||
18 |
Application of the prospectus contents to an umbrella |
|||
For a scheme which is an umbrella, information required must be stated: |
||||
(1) |
in relation to each sub-fund where the information for any sub-fund differs from that for any other; and |
|||
(2) |
for the umbrella as a whole, but only where the information is relevant to the umbrella as a whole. |
|||
318A |
Investment in overseas4 property through an intermediate holding vehicle3 |
|||
If investment in an overseas4 immovable is to be made through an intermediate holding vehicle or a series of intermediate holding vehicles a statement disclosing the existence of that intermediate holding vehicle or series of intermediate holding vehicles and confirming that the purpose of that intermediate holding vehicle or series of intermediate holding vehicles is to enable the holding of overseas4 immovables by the scheme.3 |
||||
1118B |
Information on authorised contractual schemes |
|||
A statement that: |
||||
(1) |
a unitholder in a co-ownership scheme is not liable to make any further payment after he has paid the price of his units and that no further liability can be imposed on him in respect of the units he holds; |
|||
(2) |
a unitholder in a limited partnership scheme is not liable for the debts or obligations of the limited partnership scheme beyond the amount of the scheme property which is available to the authorised contractual scheme manager to meet such debts or obligations, provided that the unitholder does not take part in the management of the partnership business; |
|||
(3) |
the exercise of rights conferred on limited partners by FCArules does not constitute taking part in the management of the partnership business; and |
|||
(4) |
the scheme property of a co-ownership scheme is beneficially owned by the participants as tenants in common (or, in Scotland, is the common property of the participants). |
|||
19 |
Additional information |
|||
Any other material information which is within the knowledge of the directors11 of an ICVC or the authorised fund manager11 of an AUT or ACS11, or which the directors or authorised fund manager11 would have obtained by the making of reasonable enquiries which investors and their professional advisers would reasonably require, and reasonably expect to find in the prospectus, for the purpose of making an informed judgement about the merits of investing in the authorised fund and the extent and characteristics of the risks accepted by so participating. 111111 |
Table: Disapplied or modified modules or provisions of the Handbook
Module |
Disapplication or modification |
|
Senior Management Arrangements, Systems and Control sourcebook (SYSC) [FCA] |
SYSC 6.1.4C R (requirement of debt management firm or credit repair firm to appoint a compliance officer) does not apply to a firm with an interim permission. SYSC 6.3.8 R (responsibility for anti-money laundering systems and controls) does not apply to a firm with only an interim permission. SYSC 6.3.9 R (requirement to appoint a money laundering reporting officer) does not apply to a firm with only an interim permission. |
|
Fees manual (FEES) [FCA] |
The Fees manual does not apply in respect of the fee provided for in FEES 8.1.1R (1), except for the rules and guidance in FEES 2.3 and FEES 8.1. |
|
Guidance applies with necessary modifications to reflect Chapter 4 of Part 8 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No 2) Order 2013 (see Note 1). |
||
Note 1 |
A firm is treated as having an interim permission on and after 1 April 2014 to carry on credit-related regulated activity4 or operating an electronic system in relation to lending5 under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No.2) Order 2013 if it met the conditions set out in Chapter 4 of Part 8 of that Order. Section 55B(3) of the Act (satisfaction of threshold conditions) does not require the FCA or PRA to ensure that the firm will satisfy, and continue to satisfy, in relation to the credit-related regulated activities4 or operating an electronic system in relation to lending5 for which it has an interim permission, the threshold conditions for which that regulator is responsible. The FCA or PRA can, however, exercise its power under section 55J of the Act (variation or cancellation on initiative of regulator) or under section 55L of the Act (in the case of the FCA) or section 55M of the Act (in the case of the PRA) (imposition of requirements by the regulator) in relation to a firm if, among other things, it appears to the FCA or PRA that the firm is failing, or is likely to fail, to satisfy the threshold conditions in relation to the credit-related regulated activities4 or operating an electronic system in relation to lending5 for which it has an interim permission for which the regulator is responsible. The guidance4 in COND should be read accordingly. 4444 |
|
CASS does not apply : (1) to a firm with only an interim permission; or (2) with respect to credit-related regulated activity or operating an electronic system in relation to lending5 for which a firm has an interim permission that is treated as a variation of permission; if the firm acts in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 3.42 and 3.43 of the Debt management (and credit repair services) guidance (OFT366rev) previously issued by the Office of Fair Trading, as they were in effect immediately before 1 April 2014. |
||
SUP 3 (Auditors), SUP 10A (FCA Approved persons) and SUP 12 (Appointed representatives) (see Note 2) do not apply: (1) to a firm with only an interim permission; or (2) with respect to a credit-related regulated activity or operating an electronic system in relation to lending5 for which a firm has an interim permission that is treated as a variation of permission. |
||
Note 2 |
A firm may not be a principal in relation to a regulated activity for which it has interim permission. A firm with interim permission may, however, be an appointed representative in relation to a regulated activity which it does not have interim permission to carry on (article 59 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No 2) Order 2013). |
|
SUP 6 (Applications to vary and cancel Part 4A permission and to impose, vary or cancel requirements) applies: (1) with necessary modifications to reflect Chapter 4 of Part 8 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No 2) Order 2013 (see Note 3); (2) with the modifications to SUP 6.3.15D and SUP 6.4.5D set out in paragraph 1.2 of this Schedule. |
||
Note 3 |
If a firm with interim permission applies to the appropriate regulator under section 55A of the Act for Part 4A permission to carry on a regulated activity or under section 55H or 55I of the Act to vary a Part 4A permission that the firm has otherwise than by virtue of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No 2) Order 2013 by adding a regulated activity to those to which the permission relates, the application may be treated by the appropriate regulator as relating also to some or all of the regulated activities for which the firm has interim permission. |
|
SUP 11 (Controllers and close links) does not apply to a firm with only an interim permission (see Note 4). |
||
Note 4 |
A firm is not to be regarded as an authorised person for the purposes of Part 12 of the Act (control over authorised person) if it has only an interim permission (see article 59 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No 2) Order 2013). |
|
For a firm with only an interim permission (1) SUP 15.5.1 R, SUP 15.5.2 G, SUP 15.5.4 R, SUP 15.5.5 R are modified so that the words "reasonable advance", "and the date on which the firm intends to implement the change of name" and "and the date of the change" are omitted; and (2) SUP 15.7.1 R, SUP 15.7.4 R and SUP 15.7.5A R are modified so that a notification of a change in name, address or telephone number must be made using the online Consumer Credit Interim Permissions system available on the FCA's website. (3) If in a notification to the FCA the firm is required to enter its FRN number it must include it interim permission number. |
||
SUP 16 (Reporting requirements) does not apply to a firm with only an interim permission . |
||
SUP 16.11 and SUP 16.12 apply to a firm, which was an authorised person immediately before 1 April 2014, with an interim permission that is treated as a variation of permission with respect to credit-related regulated activity or operating an electronic system in relation to lending5 as if the changes to SUP 16.11 and SUP 16.12 effected by the Consumer Credit (Consequential and Supplementary Amendments) Instrument 2014 had not been made. |
||
DISP 1.10 (Complaints reporting rules) and DISP 1.10A (Complaints data publication rules) do not apply to a person with only an interim permission. |
||
DISP 1.10 (Complaints reporting rules) and DISP 1.10A (Complaints data publication rules) apply to a firm, which was an authorised person immediately before 1 April 2014, with an interim permission that is treated as a variation of permission with respect to credit-related regulated activity or operating an electronic system in relation to lending5 as if the changes to DISP 1.10 and DISP 1.10A effected by the Consumer Credit (Consequential and Supplementary Amendments) Instrument 2014 had not been made. |
||
CONC 10 (Prudential requirements for debt management firms) does not apply: (1) to a firm with only an interim permission; or (2) with respect to credit-related regulated activity or operating an electronic system in relation to lending5 for which a firm has an interim permission that is treated as a variation of permission. |
||
For a firm only with an interim permission, PERG 5.11.13 G is modified so that following the words "which does not otherwise consist of carrying on regulated activities" is added "(other than a regulated activity carried on by a firm only with an interim permission listed in article 59A of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities)(Amendment)(No.2) Order 2013 (SI 2013/1881) which is to be disregarded for this purpose)". Article 59A enables a firm with only an interim permission which would be able to benefit from article 72B of the Regulated Activities Order, but for carrying on the new consumer credit regulated activities to continue to do so. |