Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (c. 8)

Part XI U.K. Information Gathering and Investigations

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. 11 modified (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2657, arts. 1(1), 18(2) (which was revoked (8.10.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 23); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

Pt. 11 modified (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 18(2)(4); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

Pt. 11 extended (with modifications) (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3646, arts. 1(1), 6-9

C2 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (1.5.2009 for certain purposes and 1.11.2009 otherwise) by The Payment Services Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/209), regs. 1(2), 95, Sch. 5 para. 3 (with reg. 3) (as amended (1.4.2013) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/472), Sch. 2 para. 155(6)(c) (with Sch. 2 para. 156); and (26.6.2017) by The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/692), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 24(9) (with regs. 8, 15))

C3 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (11.2.2010) by The Cross-Border Payments in Euro Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/89), reg. 19, Sch. para. 2

C4 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (30.4.2011) by The Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/99), reg. 62, Sch. 3 para. 3 (with reg. 3) (as amended (1.4.2013) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/472), Sch. 2 para. 196(5)(c); and (14.2.2014 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/366), arts. 1(4), 18(4)(b); and (10.1.2020) by The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1511), regs. 1(2), 19 and (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2018/1201, reg. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 21(3)(a)-(c) (with reg. 4, Sch. 3 Pt. 1) (with further transitional provisions in Sch. 3 Pt. 1A as inserted by S.I. 2019/405, regs. 1, 10 and as amended by S.I. 2019/1010, regs. 1(3), 7; S.I. 2019/1212, regs. 1(2), 7; and S.I. 2020/56, regs. 1, 8))

C5 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (15.1.2013) by The Payments in Euro (Credit Transfers and Direct Debits) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/3122), reg. 1, Sch. para. 2 (as amended (1.4.2013) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/472), Sch. 2 para. 248(6)(b))

C6 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (9.7.2013) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Referral Fees) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1635), regs. 1, 13

C7 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 3(5)

C8 Pt. 11 modified (temp. to 1.4.2014) (31.12.2013) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Consumer Credit) (Transitional Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3128), arts. 1(1), 4(1)(2)

C9 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (12.12.2014) by The Immigration Act 2014 (Bank Accounts) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/3085), regs. 1, 14

C10 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2016) by The Small and Medium Sized Business (Finance Platforms) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1946), regs. 1(2), 23

C11 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2016) by The Small and Medium Sized Business (Credit Information) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1945), regs. 1(2), 26

C12 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (18.9.2016) by The Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/2038), reg. 1(2)(b), Sch. 7 para. 2

C13 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (29.6.2017 for specified purposes, 3.7.2017 for specified purposes, 31.7.2017 for specified purposes, 3.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/701), reg. 1(2)(3)(4)(6), Sch. 1 para. 19(1) (with reg. 7)

C14 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (3.7.2017 for specified purposes, 3.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by The Data Reporting Services Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/699), regs. 1(2)(a)(b), 33

C15 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2018) by The Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1127), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 2

C16 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (13.1.2018) by The Payment Services Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/752), reg. 1(6), Sch. 6 para. 4 (with reg. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2018/1201, reg. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 72(3) (with reg. 4, Sch. 3 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/56, regs. 1, 8))

C17 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (27.2.2018) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Benchmarks) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/135), regs. 1(2), 19

C18 Pt. 11 modified (10.5.2018) by Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (c. 10), s. 37(1)(f), Sch. 5 para. 1

C19 Pt. 11 modified (E.W.S.) (29.11.2018 for specified purposes, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Claims Management Activity) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1253), arts. 1(2)(3), 82(13)

C20 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2019) by The Securitisation Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1288), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 3 (with Sch. 1 paras. 13, 14)

C21 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (10.6.2019) by The Proxy Advisors (Shareholders Rights) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/926), regs. 1, 20, 22 (as amended by S.I. 2020/628, regs. 1(4), 15(5))

C22 Pt. 11 applied in part (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Over the Counter Derivatives, Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories (Amendment, etc., and Transitional Provision) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/335), regs. 1(1), 75 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C23 Pt. 11 applied in part (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Transparency of Securities Financing Transactions and of Reuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/542), regs. 1, 36 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

C24 Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Credit Rating Agencies (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/266), regs. 1(3), 18(1) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1384, regs. 1(4), 50(3)) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

Appointment of investigators U.K.

167 Appointment of persons to carry out general investigations. U.K.

(1) If it appears to [F1 an investigating authority] that there is good reason for doing so, the investigating authority may appoint one or more competent persons to conduct an investigation on its behalf into—

(a) the nature, conduct or state of the business of [F2 a person to whom subsection (1A) applies or] an appointed representative;

(b) a particular aspect of that business; or

(c) the ownership or control of [F3 a person to whom subsection (1A) applies].

[F4 (1A) This subsection applies to the following persons—

(a) a recognised investment exchange;

(b) an authorised person;

(c) a relevant parent undertaking of an FCA investment firm;

(d) a person who provides a service to an FCA investment firm or to a relevant parent undertaking of such a firm.]

(2) If a person appointed under subsection (1) thinks it necessary for the purposes of his investigation, he may also investigate the business of a person who is or has at any relevant time been—

(a) a member of the group of which the person under investigation (“A”) is part; F5 ...

(b) a partnership of which A is a member [F6 ; or]

[F7 (c) where A is an insurance undertaking, reinsurance undertaking or third-country insurance undertaking, a person who provides services to A.]

(3) If a person appointed under subsection (1) decides to investigate the business of any person under subsection (2) he must give that person written notice of his decision.

F8 (3A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F9 (4A) The power conferred by this section may be exercised in relation to a person who has at any time been an authorised person or a person described in subsection (1A)(c) or (d) but only in relation to—

(a) business carried on at any time when the person was an authorised person or a person described in subsection (1A)(c) or (d), or

(b) the ownership or control of the person at such a time.

(4B) The power conferred by this section may be exercised in relation to a person who has at any time been an appointed representative but only in relation to business carried on at any time when the person was an appointed representative.]

(5) “Business” includes any part of a business even if it does not consist of carrying on regulated activities.

[F10 (5A) “Investigating authority” means—

(a) in relation to a recognised investment exchange, the Secretary of State or the FCA;

(b) in relation to an authorised person or former authorised person, the FCA or the PRA;

(c) in relation to an appointed representative or former appointed representative, the FCA or the PRA.

[F11 (d) in relation to a person who is, or has at any time been, a person described in subsection (1A)(c) or (d) who is not an authorised person, the FCA.]]

[F12 (6) References in subsection (1) to a recognised investment exchange do not include references to an overseas investment exchange (as defined by section 313(1)).]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 167(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

F2 Words in s. 167(1)(a) substituted (1.7.2021) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 2 para. 7(2)(a) (with Sch. 2 Pt. 3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 4(b)

F3 Words in s. 167(1)(c) substituted (1.7.2021) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 2 para. 7(2)(b) (with Sch. 2 Pt. 3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 4(b)

F4 S. 167(1A) inserted (1.7.2021) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 2 para. 7(3) (with Sch. 2 Pt. 3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 4(b)

F5 Word in s. 167(2)(a) omitted (1.1.2016) by virtue of The Solvency 2 Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/575), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 8(2)(a)

F6 Word in s. 167(2)(b) inserted (1.1.2016) by The Solvency 2 Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/575), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 8(2)(b)

F7 S. 167(2)(c) inserted (1.1.2016) by The Solvency 2 Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/575), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 8(2)(c)

F8 S. 167(3A) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/632), regs. 1(3), 44; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

F9 S. 167(4A)(4B) substituted for s. 167(4) (1.7.2021) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 2 para. 7(4) (with Sch. 2 Pt. 3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 4(b)

F10 S. 167(5A) inserted (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 7(3) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

F11 S. 167(5A)(d) inserted (1.7.2021) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 2 para. 7(5) (with Sch. 2 Pt. 3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 4(b)

F12 S. 167(6) inserted (1.4.2007 for certain purposes and 1.11.2007 otherwise) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/126), regs. 1(2), 3(5), Sch. 5 para. 7(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C25 S. 167 modified (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2657, arts. 1(1), 17 (which was revoked (8.10.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 23); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

S. 167 modified (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 17; S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

C26 S. 167 amended (18.7.2002 for certain purposes and 21.8.2002 otherwise) by The Electronic Commerce Directive (Financial Services and Markets) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/1775), regs. 1, 12(3)

C27 S. 167 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2011) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Permissions, Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) (Northern Ireland Credit Unions) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2832), art. 9

C28 S. 167 applied (22.7.2013) by The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1773), regs. 1, 71(1)(c)

C29 S. 167 applied (with modifications) (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 12(9)

C30 S. 167 applied (20.4.2015 for specified purposes, 21.12.2015 for specified purposes, 21.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by The Mortgage Credit Directive Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/910), arts. 1(5), 23(2)(c) (with Pt. 4)

C31 S. 167 modified (E.W.S.) (29.11.2018 for specified purposes, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Claims Management Activity) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1253), arts. 1(2)(3), 55(4)

C32 S. 167(1) applied (with modifications) (1.1.2014) by The Capital Requirements Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/3115), regs. 1(2), 14