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Financial Services and Markets Act 2000

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Point in time view as at 28/03/2023.

Changes to legislation:

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, Cross Heading: Powers to gather information is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 29 December 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations. Help about Changes to Legislation

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Powers to gather informationU.K.

165 [F1Regulators] power to require information [F2: authorised persons etc].U.K.

(1)[F3Either regulator] may, by notice in writing given to an authorised person, require him—

(a)to provide specified information or information of a specified description; or

(b)to produce specified documents or documents of a specified description.

(2)The information or documents must be provided or produced—

(a)before the end of such reasonable period as may be specified; and

(b)at such place as may be specified.

(3)An officer who has written authorisation from the [F4regulator] to do so may require an authorised person without delay—

(a)to provide the officer with specified information or information of a specified description; or

(b)to produce to him specified documents or documents of a specified description.

(4)This section applies only to

[F5(a)]information and documents reasonably required in connection with the exercise by [F6either regulator] of functions conferred on it by or under this Act [F7, and

(b)in relation to the exercise by the PRA of the powers conferred by subsections (1) and (3), information and documents reasonably required by the Bank of England in connection with the exercise by the Bank of its functions in pursuance of its financial stability objective.]

(5)[F8The regulator in question] may require any information provided under this section to be provided in such form as it may reasonably require.

(6)[F9The regulator in question] may require—

(a)any information provided, whether in a document or otherwise, to be verified in such manner, or

(b)any document produced to be authenticated in such manner,

as it may reasonably require.

(7)The powers conferred by subsections (1) and (3) may also be [F10exercised—

(a)by either regulator, to impose requirements on a person who is connected with an authorised person;

(b)by the FCA, to impose requirements on an operator, trustee or depositary of a scheme recognised under section F11... [F12271A or] 272 who is not an authorised person;

(c)by the FCA, to impose requirements on a recognised investment exchange;

(d)by the FCA, to impose requirements on a person who is connected with a recognised investment exchange.]

[F13(da)by the FCA, to impose requirements on a person who provides, or has provided, a service to an FCA investment firm or to a relevant parent undertaking of such a firm;]

[F14(e)by either regulator, to impose requirements on a person who provides any service to an insurance undertaking, reinsurance undertaking or third-country insurance undertaking.]

(8)“Authorised person” includes a person who was at any time an authorised person but who has ceased to be an authorised person.

[F15(8A)“Financial stability objective” means the objective set out in section 2A of the Bank of England Act 1998.]

(9)“Officer” means an officer of [F16the regulator exercising the power] and includes a member of [F17that regulator's] staff or an agent of [F18that regulator].

(10)“Specified” means—

(a)in subsections (1) and (2), specified in the notice; and

(b)in subsection (3), specified in the authorisation.

(11)For the purposes of this section, a person is connected with [F19another person] (“A”) if he is or has at any relevant time been—

(a)a member of A’s group;

(b)a controller of A;

(c)any other member of a partnership of which A is a member; F20...

(d)in relation to A, a person mentioned in Part I of Schedule 15 [F21(reading references in that Part to the authorised person as references to A)] [F22; or

(e)involved in the administration of any trust arrangement relating to a funeral plan contract entered into or carried out by A.]

[F23(12)In subsection (7)(b), the reference to a scheme that is recognised includes a scheme a part of which is recognised.]

[F24(13)In this section, “funeral plan contract” has the same meaning as in article 59(2) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001.]

Textual Amendments

F1Word in s. 165 heading substituted (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 1(9) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

F2S. 165: words in heading inserted (8.6.2010) by Financial Services Act (c. 28), ss. 24(1), 26(2)(d)(e), {Sch. 2 para. 15}

F3Words in s. 165(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 1(2) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

F5S. 165(4)(a): words in s. 165(4) renumbered as s. 165(4)(a) (1.3.2017) by Bank of England and Financial Services Act 2016 (c. 14), s. 41(3), Sch. 2 para. 36(2)(a) (with Sch. 3); S.I. 2017/43, reg. 2(g)

F6Words in s. 165(4) substituted (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 1(4) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

F8Words in s. 165(5) substituted (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 1(5) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

F9Words in s. 165(6) substituted (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 1(5) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

F20Word in s. 165(11)(c) omitted (16.5.2022 for specified purposes, 29.7.2022 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/466), arts. 1(3), 6(2)(a)

F22S. 165(11)(e) and word inserted (16.5.2022 for specified purposes, 29.7.2022 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/466), arts. 1(3), 6(2)(b)

F24S. 165(13) inserted (16.5.2022 for specified purposes, 29.7.2022 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/466), arts. 1(3), 6(2)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1Pt. 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)

C2Pt. 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)

C6S. 165 amended (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2657, arts. 1(1), 15(1) (which was revoked (8.10.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 23); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

S. 165 amended (temp. from 11.8.2001 to 1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2659, arts. 1(2), 2; S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

S. 165 amended (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 15(1); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)

C8S. 165 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)

C9S. 165 applied (with modifications) (6.3.2008) by The Regulated Covered Bonds Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/346), reg. 46, Sch. para. 3

C12S. 165 modified in part (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), 50(1)

C13S. 165 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)

C14S. 165 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)(a) (with Pt. 4)

C15S. 165 modified (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)

C16S. 165 modified (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), 50(3)

C18S. 165 applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2018/1201, Sch. 3 para. 32A(2) (as substituted (6.9.2019) by The Financial Services (Electronic Money, Payment Services and Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1212), regs. 1(2), 7(15))

C19S. 165 applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2018/1201, Sch. 3 para. 12H(2) (as substituted (6.9.2019) by The Financial Services (Electronic Money, Payment Services and Miscellaneous Amendments) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1212), regs. 1(2), 7(8))

C22S. 165(1)(2) extended (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3646, arts. 1(1), 2(1)(3)(a)

C23S. 165(1)-(6) applied (with modifications) (1.1.2014) by The Capital Requirements Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/3115), regs. 1(2), 14

C25S. 165(5)(6) extended (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3646, arts. 1(1), 2(3)(b)(c)

C28S. 165(9)(10) applied (with modifications) (1.1.2014) by The Capital Requirements Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/3115), regs. 1(2), 14

[F25165A [F26PRA's] power to require information: financial stabilityU.K.

(1)The [F27PRA] may, by notice in writing given to a person to whom this section applies, require the person—

(a)to provide specified information or information of a specified description; or

(b)to produce specified documents or documents of a specified description.

(2)This section applies to—

(a)a person who has a legal or beneficial interest in any of the assets of a relevant investment fund;

(b)a person who is responsible for the management of a relevant investment fund;

(c)a person (a “service provider”) who provides any service to an authorised person;

(d)a person prescribed by an order made by the Treasury or any person of a description prescribed by such an order (and see also section 165C);

(e)a person who is connected with a person to whom this section applies as a result of any of the above paragraphs.

(3)This section applies only to

[F28(a)]information and documents that the [F27PRA] considers are, or might be, relevant to the stability of one or more aspects of the UK financial system [F29, and

(b)information and documents reasonably required by the Bank of England in connection with the exercise by the Bank of its functions in pursuance of its financial stability objective.]

(4)A notice may be given to a service provider, or to a person who is connected with a service provider, only if the [F27PRA] considers that—

(a)the service or the way in which it (or any part of it) is provided, or

(b)any failure to provide the service (or any part of it),

poses, or would be likely to pose, a serious threat to the stability of the UK financial system.

(5)Information or documents required under this section must be provided or produced—

(a)before the end of such reasonable period as may be specified; and

(b)at such place as may be specified.

(6)The [F27PRA] may require any information provided under this section to be provided in such form as it may reasonably require.

(7)The [F27PRA] may require—

(a)any information provided, whether in a document or otherwise, to be verified in such manner as it may reasonably require; or

(b)any document produced to be authenticated in such manner as it may reasonably require.

[F30(7A)“Financial stability objective” means the objective set out in section 2A of the Bank of England Act 1998.]

(8)In this section—

  • “management” includes any of the activities listed in [F31Schedule 6 to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001];

  • “relevant investment fund” means an investment fund whose assets consist of or include financial instruments which—

    (a)

    are traded in the United Kingdom; or

    (b)

    were issued by a body incorporated in the United Kingdom;

  • “service” includes facility;

  • “specified” means specified in the notice.

(9)For the purposes of the definition of “relevant investment fund”—

(a)arrangements may constitute an investment fund even if there is only one person participating in the arrangements; and

(b)the reference to financial instruments has the [F32same meaning as in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (see article 3(1) of that Order).]

(10)For the purposes of this section a person is connected with another person (“A”) if the person is or has at any relevant time been—

(a)a member of A's group;

(b)a controller of A;

(c)any other member of a partnership of which A is a member; or

(d)in relation to A, a person mentioned in Part 1 of Schedule 15 (reading references in that Part to the authorised person as references to A).

Textual Amendments

F25S. 165A-165C inserted (8.6.2010) by Financial Services Act (c. 28), {ss. 18(2)}, 26(2)

F26Word in s. 165A heading substituted (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 2(b) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

F28S. 165(3)(a): words in s. 165A(3) renumbered as s. 165A(3)(a) (1.3.2017) by Bank of England and Financial Services Act 2016 (c. 14), s. 41(3), Sch. 2 para. 37(2)(a) (with Sch. 3); S.I. 2017/43, reg. 2(g)

165BSafeguards etc in relation to exercise of power under section 165AU.K.

(1)If the [F33PRA] proposes to impose a requirement on a person under section 165A, it must give the person a notice in writing warning the person that the [F33PRA] is proposing to impose the requirement.

(2)The notice under subsection (1) must—

(a)give the [F34PRA's] reasons for proposing to impose the requirement; and

(b)specify a reasonable period within which the person may make representations to the [F33PRA].

(3)The [F33PRA] must then decide, within a reasonable period, whether to impose the requirement.

(4)Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply in any case where the [F33PRA] is satisfied that it is necessary for the information or documents to be provided or produced without delay.

(5)If the [F33PRA] imposes a requirement on a person under section 165A, the notice under that section must give the [F34PRA's] reasons for imposing the requirement.

(6)The [F33PRA] must prepare a statement of its policy with respect to the exercise of the power conferred by section 165A.

(7)The statement requires the approval of the Treasury.

(8)If the Treasury approve the statement, the [F33PRA] must publish it.

(9)The power conferred by section 165A may not be exercised before the statement has been published.

Textual Amendments

F25S. 165A-165C inserted (8.6.2010) by Financial Services Act (c. 28), {ss. 18(2)}, 26(2)

165COrders under section 165A(2)(d)U.K.

[F35(1)The Treasury may make an order under section 165A(2)(d) only if either or both of the following conditions is met in relation to the provision made by the order.

(1A)Condition A is that the Treasury consider that—

(a)the activities carried on by the prescribed person or persons of the prescribed description, or the way in which those activities (or any part of them) are carried on, or

(b)any failure to carry on those activities (or any part of them),

pose, or would be likely to pose, a serious threat to the stability of the UK financial system.

(1B)Condition B is that the provision implements all or part of a recommendation made by the Financial Policy Committee of the Bank of England under section 9P of the Bank of England Act 1998.]

(2)Subject as follows, an order under section 165A(2)(d) may not be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

(3)Subsection (2) does not apply in any case where the Treasury are satisfied that it is necessary to make an order under section 165A(2)(d) without laying a draft for approval.

(4)In that case, the order—

(a)must be laid before Parliament after being made; and

(b)ceases to have effect at the end of the relevant period unless before the end of that period it is approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(5)If an order ceases to have effect as a result of subsection (4)(b) that does not affect—

(a)anything done under it; or

(b)the power to make a new one.

(6)“Relevant period” means a period of 28 days beginning with the day on which the order is made.

(7)In calculating the relevant period no account is to be taken of any time during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.

(8)If a statutory instrument containing an order under section 165A(2)(d) would, apart from this subsection, be treated as a hybrid instrument for the purposes of the Standing Orders of either House of Parliament, it is to proceed in that House as if it were not a hybrid instrument.]

Textual Amendments

F25S. 165A-165C inserted (8.6.2010) by Financial Services Act (c. 28), {ss. 18(2)}, 26(2)

F35S. 165C(1)-(1B) substituted for s. 165C(1) (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 4 (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

[F36166 Reports by skilled persons.U.K.

(1)This section applies where either regulator has required or could require a person to whom subsection (2) applies (“the person concerned”) to provide information or produce documents with respect to any matter (“the matter concerned”).

(2)This subsection applies to—

(a)an authorised person (“A”),

(b)any other member of A's group,

(c)a partnership of which A is a member, or

(d)a person who has at any relevant time been a person falling within paragraph (a), (b) or (c),

who is, or was at the relevant time, carrying on a business.

(3)The regulator mentioned in subsection (1) may either—

(a)by notice in writing given to the person concerned, require the person concerned to provide the regulator with a report on the matter concerned, or

(b)itself appoint a person to provide the regulator with a report on the matter concerned.

(4)When acting under subsection (3)(a), the regulator may require the report to be in such form as may be specified in the notice.

(5)The regulator must give notice of an appointment under subsection (3)(b) to the person concerned.

(6)The person appointed to make a report—

(a)must be a person appearing to the regulator to have the skills necessary to make a report on the matter concerned, and

(b)where the appointment is to be made by the person concerned, must be a person nominated or approved by the regulator.

(7)It is the duty of—

(a)the person concerned, and

(b)any person who is providing (or who has at any time provided) services to the person concerned in relation to the matter concerned,

to give the person appointed to prepare a report all such assistance as the appointed person may reasonably require.

(8)The obligation imposed by subsection (7) is enforceable, on the application of the regulator in question, by an injunction or, in Scotland, by an order for specific performance under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988.

(9)A regulator may make rules providing for expenses incurred by it in relation to an appointment under subsection (3)(b) to be payable as a fee by the person concerned.

(10)The powers conferred by this section may also be exercised by the FCA in relation to a person to whom subsection (11) [F37, (12) or (13)] applies, (and references to the person concerned are to be read accordingly).

(11)This subsection applies to—

(a)a recognised investment exchange (“A”),

(b)any other member of A's group,

(c)a partnership of which A is a member, or

(d)a person who has at any time been a person falling within paragraph (a), (b) or (c),

who is, or was at the relevant time, carrying on a business.

[F38(12)This subsection applies to a person who provides, or has provided, a service to an FCA investment firm or to a relevant parent undertaking of such a firm.]]

[F39(13)This subsection applies to a person who is or has at any relevant time been involved in the administration of any trust arrangement relating to a funeral plan contract entered into or carried out by an authorised person.

(14)In this section, “funeral plan contract” has the same meaning as in article 59(2) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001.]

Textual Amendments

F36S. 166 substituted (24.1.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 5 (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/113, art. 2(1)(c), Sch. Pt. 3; S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

F37Words in s. 166(10) substituted (16.5.2022 for specified purposes, 29.7.2022 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/466), arts. 1(3), 6(3)(a)

F39S. 166(13)(14) inserted (16.5.2022 for specified purposes, 29.7.2022 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2022 (S.I. 2022/466), arts. 1(3), 6(3)(b)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C30S. 166 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)(b) (with Pt. 4)

C32S. 166 modified (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)

C38S. 166(1)-(8) applied (with modifications) (1.1.2014) by The Capital Requirements Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/3115), regs. 1(2), 14

[F40166AAppointment of skilled person to collect and update informationU.K.

(1)This section applies if either regulator considers that an authorised person has contravened a requirement in rules made by that regulator to collect, and keep up to date, information of a description specified in the rules.

(2)The regulator may either—

(a)require the authorised person to appoint a skilled person to collect or update the information, or

(b)itself appoint a skilled person to do so.

(3)References in this section to a skilled person are to a person—

(a)appearing to the regulator to have the skills necessary to collect or update the information in question, and

(b)where the appointment is to be made by the authorised person, nominated or approved by the regulator.

(4)The regulator must give notice of an appointment under subsection (2)(b) to the authorised person.

(5)The skilled person may require any person to provide all such assistance as the skilled person may reasonably require to collect or update the information in question.

(6)A requirement imposed under subsection (5) is enforceable, on the application of the regulator in question, by an injunction or, in Scotland, by an order for specific performance under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988.

(7)A contractual or other requirement imposed on a person (“P”) to keep any information in confidence does not apply if—

(a)the information is or may be relevant to anything required to be done as a result of this section,

(b)an authorised person or a skilled person requests or requires P to provide the information for the purpose of securing that those things are done, and

(c)the regulator in question has approved the making of the request or the imposition of the requirement before it is made or imposed.

(8)An authorised person may provide information (whether received under subsection (7) or otherwise) that would otherwise be subject to a contractual or other requirement to keep it in confidence if it is provided for the purposes of anything required to be done as a result of this section.

(9)A regulator may make rules providing for expenses incurred by it in relation to an appointment under subsection (2)(b) to be payable as a fee by the authorised person.

(10)In this section “authorised person”, in relation to the PRA, means PRA-authorised person.]

Textual Amendments

F40S. 166A inserted (24.1.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 6 (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/113, art. 2(1)(c), Sch. Pt. 3; S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C39S. 166A applied (with modifications) by S.I. 2008/346, Sch. para. 4A (as inserted (1.4.2013) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/472), Sch. 2 para. 134(g)(ii))

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Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

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More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

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Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

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