Part XI Information Gathering and Investigations
Appointment of investigators
167 Appointment of persons to carry out general investigations.
(1)
If it appears to F1an 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 F2a recognised investment exchange or an authorised person or of an appointed representative;
(b)
a particular aspect of that business; or
(c)
the ownership or control of F3a recognised investment exchange or an authorised person.
(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; F4...
(b)
a partnership of which A is a member F5; or
F6(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.
F7(3A)
If a person appointed under subsection (1) decides under subsection (2)(c) to investigate a person located in an EEA State other than the United Kingdom the person appointed must inform the supervisory authority of that EEA State prior to conducting an on-site inspection.
(4)
The power conferred by this section may be exercised in relation to a former authorised person (or appointed representative) but only in relation to—
(a)
business carried on at any time when he was an authorised person (or appointed representative); or
(b)
the ownership or control of a former authorised person at any time when he was an authorised person.
(5)
“Business” includes any part of a business even if it does not consist of carrying on regulated activities.
F8(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.
F9(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)).
168 Appointment of persons to carry out investigations in particular cases.
(1)
Subsection (3) applies if it appears to an investigating authority that there are circumstances suggesting that—
F10(a)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b)
a person may be guilty of an offence under section 177, F11191F, 346 or 398(1) or under Schedule 4.
(2)
Subsection (3) also applies if it appears to an investigating authority that there are circumstances suggesting that—
(a)
(b)
there may have been a breach of the general prohibition;
F14(ba)
an authorised person may have contravened section 20 in relation to a credit-related regulated activity;
(c)
there may have been a contravention of section 21 or 238; or
(d)
market abuse may have taken place.
(3)
The investigating authority may appoint one or more competent persons to conduct an investigation on its behalf.
(4)
Subsection (5) applies if it appears to F15an investigating authority that there are circumstances suggesting that—
(a)
a person may have contravened section 20;
(b)
a person may be guilty of an offence under prescribed regulations relating to money laundering;
F16(ba)
a person may be guilty of an offence under Schedule 7 to the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 (terrorist financing or money laundering);
F19(ca)
a recognised investment exchange may have contravened the recognition requirements (within the meaning of Part 18);
(d)
an individual may not be a fit and proper person to perform functions in relation to a regulated activity carried on by an authorised or exempt person;
(e)
an individual may have performed or agreed to perform a function in breach of a prohibition order;
(f)
F20a person may have failed to comply with section 56(6);
(g)
an authorised person may have failed to comply with section 59(1) or (2);
(h)
F23(ha)
a person may have performed a controlled function without approval for the purposes of section 63A;
(j)
a person may have contravened any provision made by or under this Act for the purpose of implementing the markets in financial instruments directive F26...
F27(ja)
a person may have contravened—
(i)
any provision made by or under this Act for the purpose of implementing the alternative investment fund managers directive; F28...
(ii)
any provision made by the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Regulations 2013; F29...
F30(iii)
any provision made by or under this Act for the purpose of implementing the UCITS Directive; or
(iv)
any provision made by the Undertakings for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities Regulations 2011; or.
F31(k)
a person may have contravened a qualifying EU provision that is specified, or of a description specified, for the purposes of this subsection by the Treasury by order.
(5)
The F32investigating authority may appoint one or more competent persons to conduct an investigation on its behalf.
F33(6)
Investigating authority” means—
(a)
in subsections (1) to (3), the FCA, the PRA or the Secretary of State;
(b)
in subsections (4) and (5), the FCA or the PRA.