The Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001

Statutory Instruments

2001 No. 3755

COMPANIES

The Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001

Made

23rd November 2001

Coming into force

26th November 2001

Whereas a draft of these Regulations has been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament

Now, therefore, the Treasury, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 207 of the Companies Act 1989(1) and now vested in them(2), and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, hereby make the following Regulations:

PART 1 CITATION, COMMENCEMENT, AND INTERPRETATION

Citation and commencement

1.  These Regulations may be cited as the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 and shall come into force on 26th November 2001.

Purposes and basic definition

2.—(1) These Regulations enable title to units of a security to be evidenced otherwise than by a certificate and transferred otherwise than by a written instrument, and make provision for certain supplementary and incidental matters; and in these Regulations “relevant system” means a computer-based system, and procedures, which enable title to units of a security to be evidenced and transferred without a written instrument, and which facilitate supplementary and incidental matters.

(2) Where title to a unit of a security is evidenced otherwise than by a certificate by virtue of these Regulations, the transfer of title to such a unit of a security shall be subject to these Regulations.

Interpretation

3.—(1) In these Regulations—

“the 1985 Act” means the Companies Act 1985(3);

“the 1986 Act” means the Financial Services Act 1986(4);

“the 2000 Act” means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000(5);

“the 1986 Order” means the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1986(6);

“the 1965 Regulations” means the Government Stock Regulations 1965(7);

“the 1974 Regulations” means the Local Authority (Stocks and Bonds) Regulations 1974(8); and “local authority” has the same meaning as it has in those Regulations;

“the 1995 Regulations” means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995(9);

“the Authority” means the Financial Services Authority referred to in section 1 of the 2000 Act;

“certificate” means any certificate, instrument or other document of, or evidencing, title to units of a security;

“company” means a company within the meaning of section 735(1) of the 1985 Act;

“dematerialised instruction” means an instruction sent or received by means of a relevant system;

“designated agency” has the meaning given by regulation 11(1);

“enactment” includes an enactment comprised in any subordinate legislation within the meaning of the Interpretation Act 1978(10), and an enactment comprised in, or in an instrument made under, an Act of the Scottish Parliament;

“generate”, in relation to an Operator-instruction, means to initiate the procedures by which the Operator-instruction comes to be sent;

“guidance”, in relation to an Operator, means guidance issued by him which is intended to have continuing effect and is issued in writing or other legible form, which if it were a rule, would come within the definition of a rule;

“instruction” includes any instruction, election, acceptance or any other message of any kind;

“interest in a security” means any legal or equitable interest or right in relation to a security, including—

(a)

an absolute or contingent right to acquire a security created, allotted or issued or to be created, allotted or issued; and

(b)

the interests or rights of a person for whom a security is held on trust or by a custodian or depositary;

“issue”, in relation to a new unit of a security, means to confer title to a new unit on a person;

“issuer-instruction” means a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction attributable to a participating issuer;

“issuer register of members” has the meaning given by regulation 20(1)(a);

“issuer register of securities”—

(a)

in relation to shares, means an issuer register of members; and

(b)

in relation to units of a security other than shares, means a register of persons holding the units, maintained by or on behalf of the issuer or, in the case of public sector securities, by or on behalf of the person specified in regulation 21(3);

“local authority security” means a security which, when held in certificated form, is transferable in accordance with regulation 7 of the 1974 Regulations and title to which must be registered in accordance with regulation 5 of those Regulations;

“officer”, in relation to an Operator or a participating issuer, includes—

(a)

where the Operator or the participating issuer is a company, such persons as are mentioned in section 744 of the 1985 Act;

(b)

where the Operator or the participating issuer is a partnership, a partner; or in the event that no partner is situated in the United Kingdom, a person in the United Kingdom who is acting on behalf of a partner; and

(c)

where the Operator or the participating issuer is neither a company nor a partnership, any member of its governing body; or in the event that no member of its governing body is situated in the United Kingdom, a person in the United Kingdom who is acting on behalf of any member of its governing body;

“Operator” means a person approved by the Treasury under these Regulations as Operator of a relevant system (and in Schedule 1 includes a person who has applied to the Treasury under regulation 4 for their approval of him as an Operator);

“Operator-instruction” means a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction attributable to an Operator;

“Operator register of corporate securities” has the meaning given by regulation 22(2)(a)(i);

“Operator register of members” has the meaning given by regulation 20(1)(b);

“Operator register of public sector securities” has the meaning given by regulation 21(1)(a);

“Operator register of securities”—

(a)

in relation to shares, means an Operator register of members;

(b)

in relation to units of a security other than shares, means an Operator register of corporate securities, an Operator register of public sector securities or, as the case may be, a register maintained by an Operator by virtue of regulation 22(3)(a);

“Operator’s conversion rules” means the rules made and practices instituted by the Operator in order to comply with paragraph 18 of Schedule 1;

“Operator-system” means those facilities and procedures which are part of the relevant system, which are maintained and operated by or for an Operator, by which he generates Operator-instructions and receives dematerialised instructions from system-participants and by which persons change the form in which units of a participating security are held;

“participating issuer” means (subject to paragraph (3)) a person who has issued a security which is a participating security;

“participating security” means a security title to units of which is permitted by an Operator to be transferred by means of a relevant system;

“public sector securities” means UK Government securities and local authority securities;

“record of uncertificated public sector securities” has the meaning given by regulation 21(2)(a);

“record of securities” means any of a record of uncertificated corporate securities, a record of uncertificated shares and a record of uncertificated public sector securities;

“record of uncertificated corporate securities” has the meaning given by regulation 22(2)(b)(ii);

“record of uncertificated shares” has the meaning given by regulation 20(6)(a);

“register of members” means either or both of an issuer register of members and an Operator register of members;

“register of securities” means either or both of an issuer register of securities and an Operator register of securities;

“relevant system” has the meaning given by regulation 2(1); and “relevant system” includes an Operator-system;

“rules”, in relation to an Operator, means rules made or conditions imposed by him with respect to the provision of the relevant system;

“securities” means shares, stock, debentures, debenture stock, loan stock, bonds, units of a collective investment scheme within the meaning of section 235 of the 2000 Act, rights under a depositary receipt within the meaning of paragraph 4 of Schedule 2 to the Criminal Justice Act 1993(11), and other securities of any description, and interests in a security;

“settlement”, in relation to a transfer of uncertificated units of a security between two system-members by means of a relevant system, means the delivery of those units to the transferee and, where appropriate, the creation of any associated obligation to make payments, in accordance with the rules and practices of the Operator; and “settle” shall be construed accordingly;

“settlement bank”, in relation to a relevant system, means a person who has contracted to make payments in connection with transfers of title to uncertificated units of a security by means of that system;

“share” means share (or stock) in the share capital of a company;

“system-member”, in relation to a relevant system, means a person who is permitted by an Operator to transfer by means of that system title to uncertificated units of a security held by him, and shall include, where relevant, two or more persons who are jointly so permitted;

“system-member instruction” means a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction attributable to a system-member;

“system-participant”, in relation to a relevant system, means a person who is permitted by an Operator to send and receive properly authenticated dematerialised instructions; and “sponsoring system-participant” means a system-participant who is permitted by an Operator to send properly authenticated dematerialised instructions attributable to another person and to receive properly authenticated dematerialised instructions on another person’s behalf;

“system-user”, in relation to a relevant system, means a person who as regards that system is a participating issuer, a system-member, system-participant or settlement bank;

“UK Government security” means a security issued by Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom or by a Northern Ireland department;

“uncertificated”, in relation to a unit of a security, means (subject to regulation 42(11)(a)) that title to the unit is recorded on the relevant Operator register of securities, and may, by virtue of these Regulations, be transferred by means of a relevant system; and “certificated”, in relation to a unit of a security, means that the unit is not an uncertificated unit;

“unit”, in relation to a security, means the smallest possible transferable unit of the security (for example a single share);

“wholly dematerialised security” means—

(a)

a strip, in relation to any stock or bond, within the meaning of section 47(1B) of the Finance Act 1942(12); or

(b)

a participating security whose terms of issue (or, in the case of shares, where its terms of issue or the articles of association of the company in question) provide that its units may only be held in uncertificated form and title to them may only be transferred by means of a relevant system;

and other expressions have the meanings given to them by the 1985 Act.

(2) For the purposes of these Regulations—

(a) a dematerialised instruction is properly authenticated if it complies with the specifications referred to in paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 1; or if it was given, and not withdrawn, before these Regulations came into force and was properly authenticated within the meaning of regulation 3(2)(a) of the 1995 Regulations;

(b) a dematerialised instruction is attributable to a person if it is expressed to have been sent by that person, or if it is expressed to have been sent on behalf of that person, in accordance with the rules and specifications referred to in paragraph 5(4) of Schedule 1; and a dematerialised instruction may be attributable to more than one person.

(3) In respect of a participating security which is a public sector security, references in these Regulations to the participating issuer shall, other than in regulation 41, be taken to be references—

(a) in the case of a local authority security—

(i) to the relevant local authority; or

(ii) if the local authority has appointed another person to act as registrar for the purpose of the 1974 Regulations in respect of that security, to the person so appointed; and

(b) in the case of any other public sector security, to the Bank of England.

PART 2 THE OPERATOR

APPROVAL AND COMPLIANCE

Applications for approval

4.—(1) Any person may apply to the Treasury for their approval of him as Operator of a relevant system.

(2) The application shall be made in such manner as the Treasury may direct and shall be accompanied by—

(a) a copy of the rules and any guidance to be issued by the applicant; and

(b) such other information as the Treasury may reasonably require for the purpose of determining the application.

(3) At any time after receiving an application and before determining it, the Treasury may require the applicant to provide such further information as they reasonably consider necessary to enable them to determine the application.

(4) Information which the Treasury require under this regulation shall, if they so require, be provided in such form, or verified in such manner, as they may direct.

(5) Different directions may be given, or requirements imposed, by the Treasury with respect to different applications.

Grant and refusal of approval

5.—(1) If, on an application made under regulation 4, it appears to the Treasury that the requirements of Schedule 1 (which imposes requirements which must appear to the Treasury to be satisfied with respect to an Operator, his rules and practices and the relevant system) are satisfied with respect to the application, they may—

(a) subject to the payment of any fee charged by virtue of regulation 6(1); and

(b) subject to the provisions of Schedule 2,

approve the applicant as Operator of a relevant system.

(2) In considering an application, the Treasury may have regard to any information which they consider is relevant to the application.

(3) An approval under this regulation shall be by instrument in writing and shall state the date on which it is to take effect.

(4) Schedule 3 shall have effect in relation to a decision to refuse an application made under regulation 4 as if references to an Operator were to the applicant.

(5) Provided that it had not been withdrawn before these Regulations came into force, an approval granted to a person under regulation 5 of the 1995 Regulations shall be treated as having been granted under this regulation.

Fees charged by the Treasury

6.—(1) The Treasury may charge a fee to a person seeking approval as Operator of a relevant system.

(2) The Treasury may charge an Operator a periodical fee.

(3) Any fee chargeable by the Treasury under this regulation shall not exceed an amount which reasonably represents the amount of costs incurred—

(a) in the case of a fee charged to a person seeking approval, in determining whether to grant approval; and

(b) in the case of a periodical fee, in satisfying themselves that the Operator, his rules and practices and the relevant system continue to meet the requirements of Schedule 1 and that the Operator is complying with any obligations imposed on him by or under these Regulations.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (3), the costs incurred by the Treasury shall be determined on the basis that they include such proportion of the following matters as are properly attributable to the performance of the relevant function—

(a) expenditure on staff, equipment, premises, facilities, research and development;

(b) the allocation, over a period of years, whether before or after the coming into force of these Regulations, of any initial expenditure incurred wholly and exclusively to perform the function or to prepare for its performance;

(c) any notional interest incurred on any capital expended on or in connection with the performance of the function or in preparing for its performance and, in a case in which any function is exercisable by the designated agency, any actual interest payable on any sums borrowed which have been so expended; and

(d) any other matter which, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, may properly be taken account of in ascertaining the costs properly attributable to the performance of the function.

(5) For the purposes of paragraph (4)(c)—

(a) “notional interest” means any interest which that person might reasonably have been expected to have been liable to pay had the sums expended been borrowed at arm’s length; and

(b) “actual interest” means the actual interest paid on sums borrowed in a transaction at arm’s length and, where a sum has been borrowed otherwise than in such a transaction, means whichever is the lesser of the interest actually paid and the interest that might reasonably have been expected to be paid had the transaction been at arm’s length.

(6) Any fee received by the Treasury under this regulation shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

(7) Any fee received by the designated agency under this regulation may be retained by it.

SUPERVISION

Withdrawal of approval

7.—(1) The Treasury may withdraw an Operator’s approval at the request, or with the consent, of the Operator.

(2) If it appears to the Treasury that—

(a) any requirement of Schedule 1 is not satisfied in relation to an Operator; or

(b) an Operator is failing or has failed to comply with any obligation imposed on him by or under these Regulations,

they may withdraw approval from that Operator by written instrument even though the Operator does not wish his approval to be withdrawn.

(3) Schedule 3 shall have effect as regards the procedure to be followed before withdrawing an Operator’s approval under paragraph (2).

(4) An instrument withdrawing an Operator’s approval shall state the date on which it is to take effect.

(5) In the case of an instrument withdrawing an Operator’s approval under paragraph (2), the date stated shall not be earlier than the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which the instrument is executed.

(6) An instrument withdrawing an Operator’s approval may contain such transitional provisions as the Treasury think necessary or expedient.

Compliance orders and directions

8.—(1) This regulation applies if it appears to the Treasury that—

(a) any requirement of Schedule 1 is not satisfied, or is likely not to be satisfied, in relation to an Operator; or

(b) an Operator has failed to comply with any obligation imposed on him by or under these Regulations.

(2) The Treasury may—

(a) make an application to the court; or

(b) subject to paragraph (4), direct the Operator to take specified steps for the purpose of securing—

(i) that the relevant requirement of Schedule 1 is satisfied in relation to the Operator; or

(ii) the Operator’s compliance with any obligation of the kind in question.

(3) If on any application by the Treasury under paragraph (2)(a) the court is satisfied that the relevant requirement of Schedule 1 is not satisfied or is likely not to be satisfied, or, as the case may be, that the Operator has failed to comply with the obligation in question, it may order the Operator to take such steps as the court directs for securing that the requirement is satisfied or that the obligation is complied with.

(4) Schedule 3 shall have effect as regards the procedure to be followed before giving a direction under paragraph (2)(b).

(5) A direction under paragraph (2)(b) is enforceable, on the application of the Treasury, by an injunction or, in Scotland, by an order for specific performance under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988(13).

(6) The jurisdiction conferred by paragraph (3) shall be exercisable by the High Court and the Court of Session.

(7) The fact that a rule made or condition imposed by an Operator has been altered in response to a direction given by the Treasury under paragraph (2)(b) or an order of the court under paragraph (3) does not prevent it from being subsequently altered or revoked by the Operator.

Injunctions and restitution orders

9.—(1) If on the application of the Treasury the court is satisfied—

(a) that there is a reasonable likelihood that any person will contravene a relevant rule; or

(b) that any person has contravened a relevant rule, and that there is a reasonable likelihood that the contravention will continue or be repeated,

the court may make an order restraining (or in Scotland an interdict prohibiting) the contravention.

(2) If on the application of the Treasury the court is satisfied—

(a) that any person has contravened a relevant rule; and

(b) that there are steps which could be taken for remedying the contravention,

the court may make an order requiring that person and any other person who appears to the court to have been knowingly concerned in the contravention to take such steps as the court may direct to remedy it.

(3) No application shall be made by the Treasury under paragraph (1) or (2) in respect of a relevant rule unless it appears to them that the Operator of the relevant system is unable or unwilling to take appropriate steps to restrain the contravention or to require the person concerned to take such steps as are mentioned in paragraph (2)(b).

(4) If on the application of the Treasury the court is satisfied that any person may have—

(a) contravened a relevant rule; or

(b) been knowingly concerned in the contravention of a relevant rule,

the court may make an order restraining (or in Scotland an interdict prohibiting) him from disposing of, or otherwise dealing with, any assets of his which it is satisfied he is reasonably likely to dispose of or otherwise deal with.

(5) The court may, on the application of the Treasury, make an order under paragraph (6) if it is satisfied that a person has contravened a relevant rule, or been knowingly concerned in the contravention of such a rule, and—

(a) that profits have accrued to him as a result of the contravention; or

(b) that one or more persons have suffered loss or been otherwise adversely affected as a result of the contravention.

(6) The court may order the person concerned to pay to the Treasury such sum as appears to the court to be just having regard—

(a) in a case within subparagraph (a) of paragraph (5), to the profits appearing to the court to have accrued;

(b) in a case within subparagraph (b) of that paragraph, to the extent of the loss or other adverse effect; or

(c) in a case within both of those subparagraphs, to the profits appearing to the court to have accrued and to the extent of the loss or other adverse effect.

(7) Subsections (3) to (5) and (8) of section 382 of the 2000 Act shall apply in relation to an application of the Treasury under paragraph (5) as they have effect in relation to an application of the Authority under subsection (1) of that section; and in those subsections as they so apply—

(a) the references to subsections (1) and (2) shall be taken to be references to paragraphs (5) and (6) respectively;

(b) the references to paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) shall be taken to be references to subparagraphs (a) and (b) respectively of paragraph (5).

(8) The jurisdiction conferred by this regulation shall be exercisable by the High Court and the Court of Session.

(9) Nothing in this regulation affects the right of any person other than the Treasury to bring proceedings in respect of matters to which this regulation applies.

(10) In this regulation, “relevant rule” means any provision of the rules of an Operator to which the person in question is subject and which regulate the carrying on by that person of business of any of the following kinds—

(a) dealing in investments as principal;

(b) dealing in investments as agent;

(c) arranging deals in investments;

(d) managing investments;

(e) safeguarding and administering investments;

(f) sending dematerialised instructions;

(g) establishing etc. a collective investment scheme;

(h) advising on investments; or

(i) agreeing to carry on any of the activities mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (h).

(11) In paragraph (2), references to remedying a contravention include references to mitigating its effect.

(12) Paragraph (10) shall be read with—

(a) section 22 of the 2000 Act;

(b) any relevant order under that section; and

(c) Schedule 2 to that Act.

Provision of information by Operators

10.—(1) The Treasury may, in writing, require an Operator to give them such information as they may specify.

(2) The Treasury may also, in writing, require an Operator to give them, at such times or in respect of such periods as they may specify, such information relating to that Operator as they may specify.

(3) Any information required to be given under this regulation shall be only such as the Treasury may reasonably require for the exercise of their functions under these Regulations.

(4) The Treasury may require information to be given by a specified time, in a specified form and to be verified in a specified manner.

(5) If an Operator—

(a) alters or revokes any of his rules or guidance; or

(b) makes new rules or issues new guidance,

he shall give written notice to the Treasury without delay.

Delegation of Treasury functions

11.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (5), the Treasury may by instrument in writing delegate all or any of the functions conferred by this Part of these Regulations to the Authority; and references in these Regulations to the “designated agency” are references to the Authority so far as such functions are so delegated.

(2) The functions conferred on the Treasury by regulation 12 may not be delegated.

(3) The designated agency shall send to the Treasury a copy of any guidance issued by virtue of these Regulations and any requirements imposed by it on an Operator by virtue of regulation 10, and give them written notice of any amendment or revocation of, or addition to, any such guidance or requirements.

(4) The designated agency shall—

(a) send to the Treasury a copy of any guidance issued by it which is intended to have continuing effect and is issued in writing or other legible form; and

(b) give them written notice of any amendment or revocation of, or addition to, guidance issued by it,

but notice need not be given of the revocation of guidance other than is mentioned in subparagraph (a) or of any amendment or addition which does not result in or consist of such guidance as is there mentioned.

(5) The Treasury shall not delegate any function to the Authority unless they are satisfied that—

(a) any guidance issued by it in the exercise of its functions under these Regulations;

(b) any requirements imposed by it on an Operator by virtue of regulation 10;

(c) any guidance proposed to be issued by it in the exercise of its functions under these Regulations; and

(d) any requirements it proposes to impose on an Operator by virtue of regulation 10,

do not have, and are not intended or likely to have, to any significant extent the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition, or if they have or are intended or likely to have that effect to any significant extent, that the effect is not greater than is necessary for the protection of investors.

(6) The powers conferred by paragraph (7) shall be exercisable by the Treasury if at any time it appears to them that—

(a) any guidance issued by the designated agency in the exercise of its functions under these Regulations;

(b) any requirements imposed by the designated agency on an Operator by virtue of regulation 10; or

(c) any practices of the designated agency followed in the exercise of its functions under these Regulations,

have, or are intended or likely to have, to any significant extent the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition and that the effect is greater than is necessary for the protection of investors.

(7) The powers exercisable under this paragraph are—

(a) to resume all or any of the functions delegated to the designated agency by the written instrument referred to in paragraph (1); or

(b) to direct the designated agency to take specified steps for the purpose of securing that the guidance, requirements or practices in question do not have the effect mentioned in paragraph (6).

(8) The Treasury may by written instrument—

(a) at the request or with the consent of the designated agency; or

(b) if at any time it appears to them that the designated agency is unable or unwilling to discharge all or any of the functions delegated to it,

resume all or any of the functions delegated to the designated agency under paragraph (1).

(9) Neither the designated agency nor any person who is, or is acting as, a member, officer or member of staff of the designated agency shall be liable in damages for anything done or omitted in the discharge or purported discharge of functions delegated under paragraph (1) unless the act or omission is shown to have been in bad faith.

(10) In this regulation—

(a) any reference to guidance issued to an Operator by the designated agency is a reference to any guidance issued or any recommendation made by the designated agency in writing, or other legible form, which is intended to have continuing effect, and is issued or made to an Operator; and

(b) references to the practices of the designated agency are references to the practices of the designated agency in its capacity as such.

(11) If under paragraph (1) the Treasury delegate to the designated agency the Treasury’s function of making applications to the court under regulation 9(5), the reference to the Treasury in regulation 9(6) shall, unless the Treasury otherwise provide in the instrument by which that function is delegated, be taken as a reference to the designated agency.

International obligations

12.—(1) If it appears to the Treasury that any action proposed to be taken by an Operator or the designated agency would be incompatible with Community obligations or any other international obligations of the United Kingdom they may direct the Operator or the designated agency, as the case may be, not to take that action.

(2) If it appears to the Treasury that any action which an Operator or the designated agency has power to take is required for the purpose of implementing any such obligations, they may direct the Operator or the designated agency, as the case may be, to take that action.

(3) A direction under this regulation—

(a) may include such supplemental or incidental requirements as the Treasury consider necessary or expedient; and

(b) is enforceable, on an application made by the Treasury, by injunction or, in Scotland, by an order for specific performance under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988.

Prevention of restrictive practices

13.  Schedule 2 (prevention of restrictive practices) shall have effect.

PART 3 PARTICIPATING SECURITIES

PARTICIPATION BY ISSUERS

Participation in respect of shares

14.  Where—

(a) an Operator permits title to shares of a class in relation to which regulation 15 applies, or in relation to which a directors' resolution passed in accordance with regulation 16 is effective, to be transferred by means of a relevant system; and

(b) the company in question permits the holding of shares of that class in uncertificated form and the transfer of title to any such shares by means of a relevant system,

title to shares of that class which are recorded on an Operator register of members may be transferred by means of that relevant system.

15.  This regulation applies to a class of shares if a company’s articles of association are in all respects consistent with—

(a) the holding of shares of that class in uncertificated form;

(b) the transfer of title to shares of that class by means of a relevant system; and

(c) these Regulations.

16.—(1) This regulation applies to a class of shares if a company’s articles of association in any respect are inconsistent with—

(a) the holding of shares of that class in uncertificated form;

(b) the transfer of title to shares of that class by means of a relevant system; or

(c) any provision of these Regulations.

(2) A company may resolve, subject to paragraph (6)(a), by resolution of its directors (in this Part referred to as a “directors' resolution”) that title to shares of a class issued or to be issued by it may be transferred by means of a relevant system.

(3) Upon a directors' resolution becoming effective in accordance with its terms, and for as long as it is in force, the articles of association in relation to the class of shares which were the subject of the directors' resolution shall not apply to any uncertificated shares of that class to the extent that they are inconsistent with—

(a) the holding of shares of that class in uncertificated form;

(b) the transfer of title to shares of that class by means of a relevant system; or

(c) any provision of these Regulations.

(4) Unless a company has given notice to every member of the company in accordance with its articles of association of its intention to pass a directors' resolution before the passing of such a resolution, it shall give such notice within 60 days of the passing of the resolution.

(5) Notice given by the company before the coming into force of these Regulations of its intention to pass a directors' resolution which, if it had been given after the coming into force of these Regulations would have satisfied the requirements of paragraph (4), shall be taken to satisfy the requirements of that paragraph.

(6) In respect of a class of shares, the members of a company may by ordinary resolution—

(a) if a directors' resolution has not been passed, resolve that the directors of the company shall not pass a directors' resolution;

(b) if a directors' resolution has been passed but not yet come into effect in accordance with its terms, resolve that it shall not come into effect;

(c) if a directors' resolution has been passed and is effective in accordance with its terms but the class of shares has not yet been permitted by the Operator to be a participating security, resolve that the directors' resolution shall cease to have effect; or

(d) if a directors' resolution has been passed and is effective in accordance with its terms and the class of shares has been permitted by the Operator to be a participating security, resolve that the directors shall take the necessary steps to ensure that title to shares of the class that was the subject of the directors' resolution shall cease to be transferable by means of a relevant system and that the directors' resolution shall cease to have effect,

and the directors shall be bound by the terms of any such ordinary resolution.

(7) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with section 376 of the 1985 Act shall apply to a participating issuer and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (4).

(8) A company shall not permit the holding of shares in such a class as is referred to in paragraph (1) in uncertificated form, or the transfer of title to shares in such a class by means of a relevant system, unless in relation to that class of shares a directors' resolution is effective.

(9) This regulation shall not be taken to exclude the right of the members of a company to amend the articles of association of the company, in accordance with the articles, to allow the holding of any class of its shares in uncertificated form and the transfer of title to shares in such a class by means of a relevant system.

17.—(1) A class of shares in relation to which, immediately before the coming into force of these Regulations—

(a) regulation 15 of the 1995 Regulations applied; or

(b) a directors' resolution passed in accordance with regulation 16 of the 1995 Regulations was effective,

shall be taken to be a class of shares in relation to which regulation 15 of these Regulations applies or, as the case may be, a directors' resolution passed in accordance with regulation 16 is effective.

(2) On the coming into force of these Regulations a company’s articles of association in relation to any such class of shares, and the terms of issue of any such class of shares, shall cease to apply to the extent that they are inconsistent with any provision of these Regulations.

Interpretation of regulations 15, 16 and 17

18.  For the purposes of regulations 15, 16 and 17 any shares with respect to which share warrants to bearer are issued under section 188 of the 1985 Act shall be regarded as forming a separate class of shares.

Participation in respect of securities other than shares

19.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where—

(a) an Operator permits title to a security other than a share to be transferred by means of a relevant system; and

(b) the issuer permits the holding of units of that security in uncertificated form and the transfer of title to units of that security by means of a relevant system,

title to units of that security which are recorded on an Operator register of securities may be transferred by means of that relevant system.

(2) In relation to any security other than a share, if the law under which it is constituted is not the law of England and Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, or if the current terms of its issue are in any respect inconsistent with—

(a) the holding of title to units of that security in uncertificated form;

(b) the transfer of title to units of that security by means of a relevant system; or

(c) subject to paragraph (3), these Regulations,

the issuer shall not permit the holding of units of that security in uncertificated form, or the transfer of title to units of that security by means of a relevant system.

(3) On the coming into force of these Regulations the current terms of issue of a relevant participating security shall cease to apply to the extent that they are inconsistent with any provision of these Regulations.

(4) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) a relevant participating security is a participating security (other than a share) the terms of issue of which, immediately before the coming into force of these Regulations, were in all respects consistent with the 1995 Regulations; and

(b) the terms of issue of a security shall be taken to include the terms prescribed by the issuer on which units of the security are held and title to them is transferred.

KEEPING OF REGISTERS AND RECORDS

Entries on registers and records in respect of shares

20.—(1) In respect of every company which is a participating issuer, there shall be—

(a) a register maintained by the participating issuer, and such a register is referred to in these Regulations as an “issuer register of members”; and

(b) a register maintained by the Operator, and such a register is referred to in these Regulations as an “Operator register of members”.

(2) A participating issuer which is a company shall keep and enter up the issuer register of members in accordance with paragraph 2 of Schedule 4.

(3) In respect of every company which is a participating issuer, the Operator shall keep and enter up the Operator register of members in accordance with paragraph 4 of Schedule 4.

(4) References in any enactment or instrument to a company’s register of members shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be construed in relation to a company which is a participating issuer as referring to the company’s issuer register of members and Operator register of members.

(5) Paragraph (4) does not apply in relation to a company’s issuer register of members to the extent that any of the particulars entered in that register in accordance with paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 4 are inconsistent with the company’s Operator register of members.

(6) A participating issuer which is a company shall—

(a) maintain a record of the entries made in its Operator register of members; and such a record is referred to in these Regulations as a “record of uncertificated shares”; and

(b) keep and enter up that record in accordance with paragraph 5 of Schedule 4.

(7) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with section 352 of the 1985 Act shall apply to—

(a) a company which is a participating issuer and its officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (1)(a) or (6)(a), or

(b) an Operator and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (1)(b).

Entries on registers and records in respect of public sector securities

21.—(1) In respect of every participating security which is a public sector security the Operator shall—

(a) maintain a register, and such a register is referred to in these Regulations as an “Operator register of public sector securities”; and

(b) keep and enter up the Operator register of public sector securities in accordance with paragraph 12 of Schedule 4.

(2) The person specified in paragraph (3) shall—

(a) maintain a record of the entries made in an Operator register of public sector securities; and such a record is referred to in these Regulations as a “record of uncertificated public sector securities”; and

(b) keep and enter up that record in accordance with paragraph 13 of Schedule 4.

(3) The person referred to in paragraph (2) is the Bank of England, except where the security to which an Operator register of public sector securities relates is a local authority security, in which case it is—

(a) the relevant local authority; or

(b) if the local authority has appointed another person to act as registrar for the purpose of the 1974 Regulations in respect of that security, the person so appointed.

(4) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with section 352 of the 1985 Act shall apply to an Operator and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (1)(a).

(5) Such sanctions as apply to the registrar, within the meaning of the 1974 Regulations, in the event of a default in complying with regulation 5 of those Regulations shall apply to a participating issuer and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (2)(a) in respect of a local authority security.

Entries on registers and records in respect of other securities

22.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where a participating issuer is required by or under an enactment or instrument to maintain in the United Kingdom a register of persons holding securities (other than shares or public sector securities) issued by him.

(2) Where this paragraph applies, then in so far as the register in question relates to any class of security which is a participating security—

(a) the Operator shall—

(i) maintain a register, and such a register is referred to in these Regulations as an “Operator register of corporate securities”; and

(ii) keep and enter up the Operator register of corporate securities in accordance with paragraph 14 of Schedule 4;

(b) the participating issuer—

(i) shall not maintain the register to the extent that it relates to securities held in uncertificated form;

(ii) shall maintain a record of the entries made in any Operator register of corporate securities, and such a record is referred to in these Regulations as a “record of uncertificated corporate securities”; and

(iii) shall keep and enter up that record in accordance with paragraph 15 of Schedule 4.

(3) Where a participating issuer is not required by or under an enactment or instrument to maintain in the United Kingdom in respect of a participating security issued by him a register of persons holding units of that participating security, the Operator shall—

(a) maintain a register in respect of that participating security; and

(b) record in that register—

(i) the names and addresses of the persons holding units of that security in uncertificated form, and

(ii) how many units of that security each such person holds in that form.

(4) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with section 352 of the 1985 Act shall apply to an Operator and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (2)(a)(i) or (3).

(5) Such sanctions as apply in the event of a default in complying with the requirement to maintain a register imposed by the relevant enactment or instrument referred to in paragraph (1) shall apply to a participating issuer and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (2)(b)(ii).

General provisions concerning keeping registers and records

23.—(1) The obligations of an Operator to maintain and to keep and enter up any register of securities, imposed by these Regulations—

(a) shall not give rise to any form of duty or liability on the Operator, except such as is expressly provided for in these Regulations or as arises from fraud or other wilful default, or negligence, on the part of the Operator;

(b) shall not give rise to any form of duty or liability on a participating issuer, other than where the Operator acts on the instructions of that participating issuer, in the absence of fraud or other wilful default, or negligence, on the part of that participating issuer; and

(c) shall not give rise to any form of duty or liability enforceable by civil proceedings for breach of statutory duty.

(2) Without prejudice to paragraph (1) or to any lesser period of limitation and to any rule as to the prescription of rights, liability incurred by a participating issuer or by an Operator arising—

(a) from the making or deletion of an entry in a register of securities or record of securities pursuant to these Regulations; or

(b) from a failure to make or delete any such entry,

shall not be enforceable more than 20 years after the date on which the entry was made or deleted or, in the case of a failure, the failure first occurred.

(3) No notice of any trust, expressed, implied or constructive, shall be entered on an Operator register of securities, or a part of such a register, or be receivable by an Operator.

(4) Schedule 4 (which provides for the keeping of registers and records of participating securities, and which excludes, or applies with appropriate modifications, certain provisions of the 1985 Act) shall have effect.

Effect of entries on registers

24.—(1) Subject to regulation 29 and to paragraphs (2) and (3) below, a register of members is prima facie evidence, and in Scotland sufficient evidence unless the contrary is shown, of any matters which are by these Regulations directed or authorised to be inserted in it.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a company’s issuer register of members to the extent that any of the particulars entered in that register in accordance with paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 4 are inconsistent with the company’s Operator register of members.

(3) The entry of a person’s name and address in a company’s issuer register of members shall not be treated as showing that person to be a member of the company unless—

(a) the issuer register of members also shows him as holding shares in the company in certificated form;

(b) the Operator register of members shows him as holding shares in the company in uncertificated form; or

(c) he is deemed to be a member of the company by regulation 32(6)(b).

(4) Section 361 of the 1985 Act shall not apply with respect to a company which is a participating issuer.

(5) Subject to regulation 29, an Operator register of public sector securities is prima facie evidence, and in Scotland sufficient evidence unless the contrary is shown, of any matters which are by these Regulations directed or authorised to be inserted in it.

(6) Subject to regulation 29, an entry on an Operator register of corporate securities which records a person as holding units of a security in uncertificated form shall be evidence of such title to the units as would be evidenced if the entry on that register—

(a) were an entry on the part maintained by the participating issuer of such register as is mentioned in regulation 22(1); and

(b) where appropriate, related to units of that security held in certificated form.

(7) Subject to regulation 29, an entry on a register maintained by virtue of regulation 22(3)(a) shall (where the units are capable of being held in certificated form) be prima facie evidence, and in Scotland sufficient evidence unless the contrary is shown, that the person to whom the entry relates has such title to the units of the security which he is recorded as holding in uncertificated form as he would have if he held the units in certificated form.

Rectification of registers of securities

25.—(1) Unless the circumstances described in paragraph (2) apply, a participating issuer shall not rectify an issuer register of securities if such rectification would also require the rectification of an Operator register of securities.

(2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are that the rectification of an issuer register of securities is effected—

(a) with the consent of the Operator; or

(b) by order of a court in the United Kingdom.

(3) A participating issuer who rectifies an issuer register of securities in order to give effect to an order of a court in the United Kingdom shall immediately give the Operator written notification of the change to the entry, if any rectification of the Operator register of securities may also be required (unless the change to the issuer register is made in response to an Operator-instruction).

(4) An Operator who rectifies an Operator register of securities shall immediately—

(a) generate an Operator-instruction to inform the relevant participating issuer of the change to the entry (unless the change is made in response to an issuer-instruction); and

(b) generate an Operator-instruction to inform the system-members concerned of the change to the entry.

Closing registers

26.  Notwithstanding section 358 of the 1985 Act or any other enactment, a participating issuer shall not close a register of securities relating to a participating security without the consent of the Operator.

Registration by an Operator of transfers of securities

27.—(1) Except where relevant units of a security are transferred by means of a relevant system to a person who is to hold them thereafter in certificated form (and subject to paragraphs (2) and (4))—

(a) upon settlement of a transfer of uncertificated units of a security in accordance with his rules;

(b) following receipt of an issuer-instruction notifying him that the circumstances specified in regulation 33(2)(b) have arisen in respect of a transfer of units of a participating security; or

(c) following receipt of an issuer-instruction given under Regulation 42(8)(b),

an Operator shall register on the relevant Operator register of securities the transfer of title to those units of that security.

(2) An Operator shall refuse to register a transfer of title to units of a participating security in accordance with a system-member instruction or an issuer-instruction (as the case may be) if he has actual notice that the transfer is—

(a) prohibited by order of a court in the United Kingdom;

(b) prohibited or avoided by or under an enactment;

(c) a transfer to a deceased person; or

(d) where the participating issuer is constituted under the law of Scotland, prohibited by or under an arrestment.

(3) Notwithstanding that an Operator has received, in respect of a transfer of title to units of a participating security, actual notice of the kind referred to in paragraph (2), the Operator may register that transfer of title on the relevant Operator register of securities if at the time that he received the actual notice it was not practicable for him to halt the process of registration.

(4) Without prejudice to his rules, an Operator may refuse to register a transfer of title to units of a participating security in accordance with a system-member instruction or an issuer-instruction (as the case may be) if the instruction requires a transfer of units—

(a) to an entity which is not a natural or legal person;

(b) to a minor (which, in relation to a participating issuer constituted under the law of Scotland, shall mean a person under 16 years of age);

(c) to be held jointly in the names of more persons than is permitted under the terms of the issue of the security; or

(d) where, in relation to the system-member instruction or the issuer-instruction (as the case may be), the Operator has actual notice of any of the matters specified in regulation 35(5)(a)(i) to (iii).

(5) An Operator shall not register a transfer of title to uncertificated units of a security on an Operator register of securities otherwise than in accordance with paragraph (1) unless he is required to do so by order of a court in the United Kingdom or by or under an enactment.

(6) Paragraph (5) shall not be taken to prevent an Operator from entering on an Operator register of securities a person who is a system-member to whom title to uncertificated units of a security has been transmitted by operation of law.

(7) Immediately upon—

(a) the registration by an Operator of the transfer of title to units of a participating security in accordance with—

(i) paragraph (1);

(ii) an order of a court in the United Kingdom; or

(iii) a requirement arising by or under an enactment; or

(b) the making or deletion by an Operator of an entry on an Operator register of securities—

(i) following the transmission of title to uncertificated units of a security by operation of law; or

(ii) upon the transfer of uncertificated units of a security to a person who is to hold them thereafter in certificated form,

the Operator shall generate an Operator-instruction to inform the relevant participating issuer of the registration, or of the making or deletion of the entry (as the case may be); and where appropriate the participating issuer shall register the transfer or transmission of title to those units on an issuer register of securities in accordance with regulation 28.

(8) Subsection (5) of section 183 of the 1985 Act shall apply in relation to a refusal by an Operator to register a transfer of securities in any of the circumstances specified in paragraphs (2) and (4), as it applies in relation to a refusal by a company to register a transfer of shares or debentures; and in that subsection as it so applies—

(a) the reference to the date on which the transfer was lodged with the company shall be taken to be a reference to the date on which the relevant system-member instruction or issuer-instruction (as the case may be) was received by the Operator; and

(b) the reference to a notice of the refusal shall be taken to be a reference to an Operator-instruction, or written notification from the Operator, informing the relevant system-member or participating issuer (as the case may be) of the refusal.

(9) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with subsection (5) of section 183 of the 1985 Act shall apply to an Operator and his officers in the event of a default in complying with that subsection as applied by paragraph (8).

Registration by a participating issuer of transfers of securities upon conversion into certificated form

28.—(1) Paragraphs (2) to (5) apply where relevant units of a security are transferred by means of a relevant system to a person who is to hold them thereafter in certificated form.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), a participating issuer shall (where appropriate) register a transfer of title to relevant units of a security on an issuer register of securities in accordance with an Operator-instruction.

(3) A participating issuer shall refuse to register a transfer of title to relevant units of a security in accordance with an Operator-instruction if he has actual notice that the transfer is—

(a) prohibited by order of a court in the United Kingdom;

(b) prohibited or avoided by or under an enactment;

(c) a transfer to a deceased person; or

(d) where the participating issuer is constituted under the law of Scotland, prohibited by or under an arrestment.

(4) A participating issuer may refuse to register a transfer of title to relevant units of a security in accordance with an Operator-instruction if the instruction requires a transfer of units—

(a) to an entity which is not a natural or legal person;

(b) to a minor (which, in relation to a participating issuer constituted under the law of Scotland, shall mean a person under 16 years of age);

(c) to be held jointly in the names of more persons than is permitted under the terms of the issue of the security; or

(d) where, in relation to the Operator-instruction. the participating issuer has actual notice from the Operator of any of the matters specified in regulation 35(5)(a)(i) to (iii).

(5) A participating issuer shall notify the Operator by issuer-instruction whether he has registered a transfer in response to an Operator-instruction to do so.

(6) A participating issuer shall not register a transfer of title to relevant units of a security on an issuer register of securities unless he is required to do so—

(a) by an Operator-instruction;

(b) by an order of a court in the United Kingdom; or

(c) by or under an enactment.

(7) A unit of a security is a relevant unit for the purposes of this regulation if, immediately before the transfer in question, it was held by the transferor in uncertificated form.

(8) Subsection (5) of section 183 of the 1985 Act shall apply in relation to a refusal by a participating issuer to register under paragraph (2) a transfer of securities in any of the circumstances specified in paragraphs (3) and (4), as it applies in relation to a refusal by a company to register a transfer of shares or debentures; and in that subsection as it so applies the reference to the date on which the transfer was lodged with the company shall be taken to be a reference to the date on which the Operator-instruction was received by the participating issuer.

(9) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with subsection (5) of section 183 of the 1985 Act shall apply to a participating issuer and his officers in the event of a default in complying with that subsection as applied by paragraph (8).

Registration to be in accordance with regulations 27 and 28

29.  Any purported registration of a transfer of title to an uncertificated unit of a security other than in accordance with regulation 27 or 28 shall be of no effect.

Registration of linked transfers

30.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies where an Operator receives two or more system-member instructions requesting him to register two or more transfers of title to uncertificated units of a security, and it appears to the Operator—

(a) either—

(i) that there are fewer units of the security registered on an Operator register of securities in the name of a person identified in any of the system-member instructions as a transferor than the number of units to be transferred from him under those system-member instructions; or

(ii) that it has not been established in accordance with paragraph 21(1)(c) of Schedule 1, in relation to any of the transfers taken without regard to the other transfers, that a settlement bank has agreed to make a payment; and

(b) that registration of all of the transfers would result in each of the persons identified in the system-member instructions as a transferor having title to a number of uncertificated units of a security equal to or greater than nil; and

(c) that the combined effect of all the transfers taken together would result in paragraph 21(1)(c) of Schedule 1 being satisfied.

(2) Where this paragraph applies, the Operator may either—

(a) register the combined effect of all the transfers taken together; or

(b) register all the transfers simultaneously,

unless one or more of those transfers may not be registered by virtue of the fact that the Operator has actual notice of any of the circumstances specified in regulation 27(2), or is to be refused registration by virtue of regulation 27(4).

(3) Notwithstanding that an Operator has received, in respect of two or more such system-member instructions as are referred to in paragraph (1), actual notice of the kind referred to in paragraph (2), the Operator may register all the transfers in question or their combined effect if at the time that he received the actual notice it was not practicable for him to halt the process of registration.

Position of a transferee prior to entry on an issuer register of securities

31.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies when an Operator deletes an entry on an Operator register of securities in consequence of which—

(a) the Operator must generate an Operator-instruction in accordance with regulation 27(7); and

(b) by virtue of that instruction a participating issuer must register, on an issuer register of securities, a transfer of title to units of a participating security constituted under the law of England and Wales or Northern Ireland.

(2) Where this paragraph applies—

(a) subject to—

(i) subparagraph (b); and

(ii) any enactment or rule of law,

the transferor shall, notwithstanding the deletion of the entry in the Operator register of securities, retain title to the requisite number of units of the relevant participating security until the transferee is entered on the relevant issuer register of securities as the holder thereof; and

(b) the transferee shall acquire an equitable interest in the requisite number of units of that security.

(3) Paragraph (4) applies when an Operator deletes an entry on an Operator register of securities in consequence of which—

(a) the Operator must generate an Operator-instruction in accordance with regulation 27(7); and

(b) by virtue of that instruction a participating issuer must register, on an issuer register of securities, a transfer of title to units of a participating security constituted under the law of Scotland.

(4) Where this paragraph applies—

(a) subject to—

(i) subparagraph (b); and

(ii) any enactment or rule of law,

the transferor shall, notwithstanding the deletion of the entry in the Operator register of securities, retain title to the requisite number of units of the relevant participating security until the transferee is entered on the relevant issuer register of securities as the holder thereof; and

(b) the transferor shall hold the requisite number of units of that security on trust for the benefit of the transferee.

(5) The requisite number for the purposes of this regulation is the number of units which are to be specified in the Operator-instruction which the Operator must generate in accordance with regulation 27(7).

(6) This regulation has effect notwithstanding that the units to which the deletion of the entry in the Operator register of securities relates, or in which an interest arises by virtue of paragraph (2)(b) or (4)(b), or any of them, may be unascertained.

(7) In Scotland—

(a) this regulation has effect notwithstanding that the requirements relating to the creation of a trust under any enactment or rule of law have not been complied with; and

(b) as from the time the trust referred to in paragraph (4)(b) arises, any holder, or any holder thereafter, of a floating charge over any part of the property of the transferor shall be deemed to have received notice of the trust’s existence and of the property to which it relates.

(8) Subject to paragraphs (6) and (7), this regulation shall not be construed as conferring a proprietary interest (whether of the kind referred to in paragraph (2)(b) or (4)(b), or of any other kind) in units of a security if the conferring of such an interest at the time specified in these Regulations would otherwise be void by or under any enactment or rule of law.

(9) In this regulation—

(a) “the transferee” means the person to be identified in the Operator-instruction as the transferee; and

(b) “the transferor” means the person to be identified in the Operator-instruction as the transferor.

CONVERSIONS AND NEW ISSUES

Conversion of securities into certificated form

32.—(1) Except as provided in regulation 42, a unit of a participating security shall not be converted from uncertificated form into certificated form unless an Operator generates an Operator-instruction to notify the relevant participating issuer that a conversion event has occurred; and in this regulation such an Operator-instruction is referred to as a “rematerialisation notice”.

(2) A conversion event occurs—

(a) where such a conversion is permitted by the Operator’s conversion rules; or

(b) following receipt by an Operator of a system-member instruction requiring the conversion into certificated form of uncertificated units of a participating security registered in the name of the system-member; or

(c) following receipt by an Operator of written notification from a participating issuer which is a company requiring the conversion into certificated form of uncertificated units of a participating security, issued by that participating issuer and registered in the name of a system-member, and which contains a statement that the conversion is required to enable the participating issuer to deal with the units in question in accordance with provisions in that participating issuer’s memorandum or articles or in the terms of issue of the units in question.

(3) An Operator—

(a) may generate a rematerialisation notice following a conversion event occurring in the circumstances specified in paragraph (2)(a);

(b) shall generate a rematerialisation notice following a conversion event occurring in the circumstances specified in paragraph (2)(b) unless the participation in the relevant system, by the system-member in whose name the uncertificated units in question are registered, has been suspended pursuant to the Operator’s rules; and

(c) shall generate a rematerialisation notice following a conversion event occurring in the circumstances specified in paragraph (2)(c).

(4) On the generation of a rematerialisation notice, the Operator shall delete any entry in an Operator register of securities which shows the relevant system-member as the holder of the unit or units specified in the rematerialisation notice.

(5) On receipt of a rematerialisation notice, the participating issuer to whom the rematerialisation notice is addressed shall, where relevant, enter the name of the system-member on an issuer register of securities as the holder of the unit or units specified in the rematerialisation notice.

(6) During any period between the deletion of any entry in an Operator register of securities required to be made by paragraph (4) and the making of the entry in an issuer register of securities required to be made by paragraph (5)—

(a) the relevant system-member shall retain title to the units of the security specified in the rematerialisation notice notwithstanding the deletion of any entry in the Operator register of securities; and

(b) where those units are shares, the relevant system-member shall be deemed to continue to be a member of the company.

(7) Following—

(a) the making of an entry in an issuer register of securities in accordance with paragraph (5); or

(b) registration of a transfer of title to units of a security in accordance with regulation 28,

the relevant participating issuer shall, where the terms of issue of the security in question provide for a certificate to be issued, issue a certificate in respect of the units of the security to the relevant person.

(8) Subsection (1)(b) of section 185 of the 1985 Act shall apply in relation to the issue of a certificate by a participating issuer pursuant to paragraph (7) as it applies in relation to the completion and having ready for delivery by a company of share certificates, debentures or certificates of debenture stock; and in that subsection as it so applies the reference to the date on which a transfer is lodged with the company shall be a reference to the date on which the participating issuer receives the relevant rematerialisation notice in accordance with this regulation, or the relevant Operator-instruction in accordance with regulation 27(7).

(9) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with subsection (5) of section 183 of the 1985 Act shall apply—

(a) to an Operator and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (4); and

(b) to a participating issuer and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (5).

(10) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with subsection (1) of section 185 of the 1985 Act shall apply to a participating issuer and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (7) in accordance with the requirements laid down in paragraph (8).

Conversion of securities into uncertificated form

33.—(1) A unit of a participating security shall not be converted from certificated form into uncertificated form unless the participating issuer notifies the Operator by means of an issuer-instruction that any of the circumstances specified in paragraph (2) have arisen; and in this regulation such an issuer-instruction is referred to as a “dematerialisation notice”.

(2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are—

(a) where the unit of the participating security is held by a system-member, that the participating issuer has received—

(i) a request in writing from the system-member in the form required by the Operator’s conversion rules that the unit be converted from certificated form to uncertificated form; and

(ii) subject to paragraph (4), the certificate relating to that unit; or

(b) where the unit of the participating security is to be registered on an Operator register of securities in the name of a system-member following a transfer of the unit to him, that the participating issuer—

(i) subject to paragraph (3), has received (by means of the Operator-system unless the Operator’s conversion rules permit otherwise) a proper instrument of transfer in favour of the system-member relating to the unit to be transferred;

(ii) subject to paragraph (4), has received (by means of the Operator-system unless the Operator’s conversion rules permit otherwise) the certificate relating to that unit; and

(iii) may accept by virtue of the Operator’s conversion rules that the system-member to whom the unit is to be transferred wishes to hold it in uncertificated form.

(3) The requirement in paragraph (2)(b)(i) that the participating issuer shall have received an instrument of transfer relating to the unit of the participating security shall not apply in a case where for a transfer of a unit of that security no instrument of transfer is required.

(4) The requirements in paragraphs (2)(a)(ii) and (2)(b)(ii) that the participating issuer shall have received a certificate relating to the unit of the participating security shall not apply in a case where the system-member or transferor (as the case may be) does not have a certificate in respect of the unit to be converted into uncertificated form because no certificate has yet been issued to him or is due to be issued to him in accordance with the terms of issue of the relevant participating security.

(5) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), a participating issuer shall not give a dematerialisation notice except in the circumstances specified in paragraph (2).

(6) Upon giving a dematerialisation notice, a participating issuer shall delete any entry in any issuer register of securities which evidences title to the unit or units of the participating security in question.

(7) Following receipt of a dematerialisation notice, an Operator shall enter the name of the relevant system-member on an Operator register of securities as the holder of the relevant unit or units of the participating security in question, provided that this obligation shall be subject to regulation 27 if the notice was given in the circumstances specified in paragraph (2)(b).

(8) When a dematerialisation notice is given, the relevant system-member, or the transferor of the unit or units of the security in question, as the case may be, shall (without prejudice to any equitable interest which the transferee may have acquired in the unit or units in question)—

(a) retain title to the units of the security specified in the dematerialisation notice notwithstanding the deletion of any entry in any issuer register of securities required to be made by paragraph (6); and

(b) where those units are shares, be deemed to continue to be a member of the company.

(9) Where a dematerialisation notice is given in the circumstances specified in paragraph (2)(b), such title shall be retained, and (where appropriate) such membership shall be deemed to continue, until the time at which the Operator enters the name of the relevant system-member on an Operator register of securities in accordance with paragraph (7).

(10) Within 2 months of receiving a dematerialisation notice, an Operator shall generate an Operator-instruction informing the participating issuer whether an entry has been made in an Operator register of securities in response to the dematerialisation notice.

(11) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with subsection (5) of section 183 of the 1985 Act shall apply—

(a) to a participating issuer and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (6); and

(b) to an Operator and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (7) or (10).

New issues in uncertificated form

34.—(1) For the purposes of an issue of units of a participating security, a participating issuer may require the Operator to enter the name of a person in an Operator register of securities as the holder of new units of that security in uncertificated form if, and only if, that person is a system-member; and provided that compliance with any such requirement shall be subject to the rules of the Operator.

(2) For the purposes of calculating the number of new units to which a system-member is entitled a participating issuer may treat a system-member’s holdings of certificated and uncertificated units of a security as if they were separate holdings.

(3) A requirement made by a participating issuer under paragraph (1) may be made by means of an issuer-instruction and shall specify the names of the persons to be entered in the Operator register of securities as the holders of new uncertificated units of the security, and the number of such units to be issued to each of those persons.

(4) An Operator who receives a requirement made by a participating issuer under paragraph (1) shall notify the participating issuer, by Operator-instruction or in writing, if he has not entered the name of any one or more of the persons in question in the Operator register of securities as the holder of new units of the security.

PART 4 DEMATERIALISED INSTRUCTIONS ETC.

Properly authenticated dematerialised instructions, etc.

35.—(1) This regulation has effect for the purpose of determining the rights and obligations of persons to whom properly authenticated dematerialised instructions are attributable and of persons to whom properly authenticated dematerialised instructions are addressed, when such instructions relate to an uncertificated unit of a security, or relate to a right, benefit or privilege attaching to or arising from such a unit, or relate to the details of a holder of such a unit.

(2) Where a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction is expressed to have been sent on behalf of a person by a sponsoring system-participant or the Operator—

(a) the person on whose behalf the instruction is expressed to have been sent shall not be able to deny to the addressee—

(i) that the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction was sent with his authority; or

(ii) that the information contained in the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction is correct; and

(b) the sponsoring system-participant or the Operator (as the case may be) shall not be able to deny to the addressee—

(i) that he has authority to send the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction; or

(ii) that he has sent the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction.

(3) Where a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction is expressed to have been sent by a person, and the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction is not expressed to have been sent on behalf of another person, the person shall not be able to deny to the addressee—

(a) that the information contained in the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction is correct; or

(b) that he has sent the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction.

(4) An addressee who receives (whether directly, or by means of the facilities of a sponsoring system-participant acting on his behalf) a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction may, subject to paragraph (5), accept that at the time at which the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction was sent or at any time thereafter—

(a) the information contained in the instruction was correct;

(b) the system-participant or the Operator (as the case may be) identified in the instruction as having sent the instruction sent the instruction; and

(c) the instruction, where relevant, was sent with the authority of the person on whose behalf it is expressed to have been sent.

(5) Subject to paragraph (6), an addressee may not accept any of the matters specified in paragraph (4) if at the time he received the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction or at any time thereafter—

(a) he was a person other than a participating issuer or a sponsoring system-participant receiving properly authenticated dematerialised instructions on behalf of a participating issuer, and he had actual notice—

(i) that any information contained in it was incorrect;

(ii) that the system-participant or the Operator (as the case may be) expressed to have sent the instruction did not send the instruction; or

(iii) where relevant, that the person on whose behalf it was expressed to have been sent had not given to the Operator or the sponsoring system-participant (as the case may be), identified in the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction as having sent it, his authority to send the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction on his behalf; or

(b) he was a participating issuer, or a sponsoring system-participant receiving properly authenticated dematerialised instructions on behalf of a participating issuer, and—

(i) he had actual notice from the Operator of any of the matters specified in subparagraph (a)(i) to (iii); or

(ii) if the instruction was an Operator-instruction requiring the registration of a transfer of title, he had actual notice of any of the circumstances specified in regulation 28(3); or

(c) he was an Operator and the instruction related to a transfer of units of a security which was in excess of any limit imposed by virtue of paragraph 15 of Schedule 1; or

(d) he was an Operator and he had actual notice of any of the circumstances specified in regulation 27(2) in a case where the instruction was—

(i) a system-member instruction requesting him to settle a transfer in accordance with his rules; or

(ii) an issuer-instruction given in the circumstances specified in regulation 33(2)(b) requesting him to register a transfer of title.

(6) Notwithstanding that an addressee has received, in respect of a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction, actual notice of the kind referred to in paragraph (5), the addressee may accept the matters specified in paragraph (4) if at the time that he received the actual notice it was not practicable for him to halt the processing of the instruction.

(7) Subject to paragraph (8), this regulation has effect without prejudice to the liability of any person for causing or permitting a dematerialised instruction—

(a) to be sent without authority; or

(b) to contain information which is incorrect; or

(c) to be expressed to have been sent by a person who did not send it.

(8) Subject to paragraph (9), a person who is permitted by this regulation to accept any matter shall not be liable in damages or otherwise to any person by reason of his having relied on the matter that he was permitted to accept.

(9) The provisions of paragraph (8) do not affect—

(a) any liability of the Operator to pay compensation under regulation 36; or

(b) any liability of a participating issuer under regulation 46 arising by reason of a default in complying with, or contravention of, regulation 28(6).

(10) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction is expressed to have been sent by a person or on behalf of a person if it is attributable to that person; and

(b) an addressee is the person to whom a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction indicates it is addressed in accordance with the rules and specifications referred to in paragraph 5(5) of Schedule 1.

(11) Nothing in this regulation shall be taken, in respect of any authority, to modify or derogate from the protections to a donee or third person given by or under any enactment or to prohibit a donee or third person so protected from accepting any of the matters specified in paragraph (4).

(12) Paragraphs (2) to (4), (5)(a), (6) to (9) and (11) of this regulation shall apply in relation to a written notification given under regulation 25(3) or 32(2)(c) as if—

(a) each reference to a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction were to such a notification which has been authenticated by the Operator in accordance with rules made and practices instituted by the Operator in order to comply with paragraph 25(g) of Schedule 1;

(b) each reference to information contained in the properly authenticated dematerialised instruction being correct (or incorrect) included, in the case of written notification given under subparagraph (c) of regulation 32(2), a reference to any statement of the sort referred to in that subparagraph being true (or untrue, as the case may be);

(c) each reference to an addressee were a reference to the Operator; and

(d) the reference in paragraph (6) to the processing of the instruction were to acting on the written notification.

Liability for forged dematerialised instructions, induced amendments to Operator registers of securities, and induced Operator-instructions

36.—(1) For the purpose of this regulation—

(a) a dematerialised instruction is a forged dematerialised instruction if—

(i) it was not sent from the computers of a system-participant or the computers comprising an Operator-system; or

(ii) it was not sent from the computers of the system-participant or the computers comprising an Operator-system (as the case may be) from which it is expressed to have been sent;

(b) an act is a causative act if, not being a dematerialised instruction and not being an act which causes a dematerialised instruction to be sent from the computer of a system-participant, it unlawfully causes the Operator—

(i) to make, delete or amend an entry on an Operator register of securities; or

(ii) to send an Operator-instruction to a participating issuer;

(c) an entry on, deletion from, or amendment to an Operator register of securities is an induced amendment if it is an entry on, deletion from, or amendment to an Operator register of securities which results from a causative act or a forged dematerialised instruction; and

(d) an Operator-instruction is an induced Operator-instruction if it is an Operator-instruction to a participating issuer which results from a causative act or a forged dematerialised instruction.

(2) If, as a result of a forged dematerialised instruction (not being one which results in an induced amendment to an Operator register of securities or an induced Operator-instruction), an induced amendment to an Operator register of securities, or an induced Operator-instruction, any one or more of the following events occurs—

(a) the name of any person remains on, is entered on, or is removed or omitted from, a register of securities;

(b) the number of units of a security in relation to which the name of any person is entered on a register of securities is increased, reduced, or remains unaltered;

(c) the description of any units of a security in relation to which the name of any person is entered on a register of securities is changed or remains unaltered,

and that person suffers loss as a result, he may apply to the court for an order that the Operator compensate him for his loss.

(3) It is immaterial for the purposes of subparagraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph (2) whether the event is permanent or temporary.

(4) The court shall not make an order under paragraph (2)—

(a) if the Operator identifies a person as being responsible (whether alone or with others) for the forged dematerialised instruction (not being one which results in an induced amendment to an Operator register of securities or an induced Operator-instruction) or the causative act or forged dematerialised instruction resulting in the induced amendment to the Operator register of securities or the induced Operator-instruction (as the case may be) notwithstanding that it is impossible (for whatever reason) for the applicant to obtain satisfactory compensation from that person; or

(b) if the Operator shows that a participating issuer would be liable under regulation 46 to compensate the applicant for the loss in respect of which the application is made, by reason of the participating issuer’s default in complying with, or contravention of, regulation 28(6).

(5) Subject to paragraphs (6) and (7), the court may award to an applicant compensation for—

(a) each forged dematerialised instruction (not being one which results in an induced amendment to an Operator register of securities or an induced Operator-instruction);

(b) each induced amendment to an Operator register of securities; and

(c) each induced Operator-instruction,

resulting in an event mentioned in subparagraph (a), (b) or (c) of paragraph (2).

(6) The court shall not under paragraph (5) award to an applicant—

(a) more than £50,000 for each such forged dematerialised instruction, induced amendment to an Operator register of securities, or induced Operator-instruction;

(b) compensation for both an induced amendment to an Operator register of securities and an induced Operator-instruction if that induced amendment and that induced Operator-instruction resulted from the same causative act or the same forged dematerialised instruction.

(7) In respect of liability arising under this regulation the court shall—

(a) in awarding compensation only order the Operator to pay such amount of compensation as it appears to it to be just and equitable in all the circumstances having regard to the loss sustained by the applicant as a result of the forged dematerialised instruction, induced amendment to the Operator register of securities, or induced Operator-instruction;

(b) in ascertaining the loss, apply the same rules concerning the duty of a person to mitigate his loss as apply to damages recoverable under the common law of England and Wales, Northern Ireland, or Scotland, (as the case may be); and

(c) where it finds that the loss was to any extent caused or contributed to by any act or omission of the applicant, reduce the amount of the award by such proportion as it thinks just and equitable having regard to that finding.

(8) An application to the court for an order under paragraph (2) shall not prejudice any right of the Operator to recover from a third party any sum that he may be ordered to pay.

(9) An event mentioned in subparagraph (a), (b) or (c) of paragraph (2) shall not give rise to any liability on the Operator other than such as is expressly provided for in this regulation, except such as may arise from fraud or other wilful default, or negligence, on the part of the Operator.

(10) Subject to paragraph (9), this regulation does not affect—

(a) any right which any person may have other than under this regulation (not being a right against the Operator); or

(b) any liability which any person other than the Operator may incur other than under this regulation.

(11) Where an application is made under paragraph (2), and the Operator receives from the applicant a request for information or documents relating to—

(a) a forged dematerialised instruction;

(b) an induced amendment to an Operator register of securities; or

(c) an induced Operator-instruction,

in respect of which the application is made, the Operator shall, in so far as he is able, and in so far as the request is reasonable, within one month give the applicant the information and documents.

(12) The applicant shall, in so far as he is able, within one month give the Operator such information or documents as the Operator reasonably requests in connection with an application under paragraph (2) with respect to—

(a) steps taken by the applicant to prevent the giving of any forged dematerialised instruction (whether of the kind referred to in paragraph (2) or of any other kind); and

(b) steps taken by the applicant to mitigate the loss suffered by him,

provided that the applicant need not give information or documents pursuant to this paragraph until the Operator has complied with any request made by virtue of paragraph (11).

(13) Neither the Operator nor the applicant shall be required to disclose any information by virtue of, respectively, paragraph (11) or (12) which would be privileged in the course of civil proceedings, or, in Scotland, which they would be entitled to refuse to disclose—

(a) on grounds of confidentiality as between client and professional legal adviser in proceedings in the Court of Session; or

(b) on grounds of confidentiality of communications made in connection with, or in contemplation of, such proceedings and for the purposes of those proceedings.

(14) The jurisdiction conferred by this regulation shall be exercisable, in the case of a participating security constituted under the law of England and Wales, or Northern Ireland, by the High Court; and in the case of a participating security constituted under the law of Scotland by the Court of Session.

PART 5 MISCELLANEOUS AND SUPPLEMENTAL

MISCELLANEOUS

Construction of references to transfers etc.

37.  References in any enactment or rule of law to a proper instrument of transfer or to a transfer with respect to securities, or any expression having like meaning, shall be taken to include a reference to an Operator-instruction to a participating issuer to register a transfer of title on the relevant issuer register of securities in accordance with the Operator-instruction.

Certain formalities and requirements not to apply

38.—(1) Any requirements in an enactment or rule of law which apply in respect of the transfer of securities otherwise than by means of a relevant system shall not prevent—

(a) an Operator from registering a transfer of title to uncertificated units of a security upon settlement of a transfer of such units in accordance with his rules; or

(b) an Operator-instruction from requiring a participating issuer to register a transfer of title to uncertificated units of a security.

(2) Subject to regulation 32(7), notwithstanding any enactment, instrument or rule of law, a participating issuer shall not issue a certificate in relation to any uncertificated units of a participating security.

(3) A document issued by or on behalf of a participating issuer purportedly evidencing title to an uncertificated unit of a participating security shall not be evidence of title to the unit of the security; and in particular—

(a) section 186 of the 1985 Act shall not apply to any document issued with respect to uncertificated shares; and

(b) regulation 3(2) of the 1965 Regulations and regulation 6(3) of the 1974 Regulations shall not apply to any document issued with respect to uncertificated units of a public sector security.

(4) Any requirement in or under any enactment to endorse any statement or information on a certificate evidencing title to a unit of a security—

(a) shall not prohibit the conversion into, or issue of, units of the security in uncertificated form; and

(b) in relation to uncertificated units of the security, shall be taken to be a requirement for the relevant participating issuer to provide the holder of the units with the statement or information on request by him.

(5) Sections 53(1)(c) and 136 of the Law of Property Act 1925 (which impose requirements for certain dispositions and assignments to be in writing) shall not apply (if they would otherwise do so) to—

(a) any transfer of title to uncertificated units of a security by means of a relevant system; and

(b) any disposition or assignment of an interest in uncertificated units of a security title to which is held by a relevant nominee.

(6) In paragraph (5) “relevant nominee” means a subsidiary undertaking of an Operator designated by him as a relevant nominee in accordance with such rules and practices as are mentioned in paragraph 25(f) of Schedule 1.

(7) Subsection (4) of section 183 of the 1985 Act shall not apply in relation to the transfer of uncertificated units of a security by means of a relevant system.

Fees charged by Operators

39.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), nothing in these Regulations prevents an Operator from charging a fee for carrying out any function under Part 3 of these Regulations.

(2) An Operator may not charge a fee to a participating issuer for maintaining or keeping and entering up an Operator register of securities.

Trusts, trustees and personal representatives etc.

40.—(1) Unless expressly prohibited from transferring units of a security by means of any computer-based system, a trustee or personal representative shall not be chargeable with a breach of trust or, as the case may be, with default in administering the estate by reason only of the fact that—

(a) for the purpose of acquiring units of a security which he has the power to acquire in connection with the trust or estate, he has paid for the units under arrangements which provide for them to be transferred to him from a system-member but not to be so transferred until after the payment of the price;

(b) for the purpose of disposing of units of a security which he has power to dispose of in connection with the trust or estate, he has transferred the units to a system-member under arrangements which provide that the price is not to be paid to him until after the transfer is made; or

(c) for the purpose of holding units of a security belonging to the trust or estate in uncertificated form and for transferring title to them by means of a relevant system, he has become a system-member.

(2) Notwithstanding section 192 of the 1985 Act, a trustee of a trust deed for securing an issue of debentures shall not be chargeable with a breach of trust by reason only of the fact that he has assented to an amendment of the trust deed only for the purposes of—

(a) allowing the holding of debentures in uncertificated form;

(b) allowing the exercise of rights attaching to the debentures by means of a relevant system; or

(c) allowing the transfer of title to the debentures by means of a relevant system,

provided that he has given or caused to be given notice of the amendment in accordance with the trust deed not less than 30 days prior to its becoming effective to all persons registered as holding the debentures on a date not more than 21 days before the dispatch of the notice.

(3) Without prejudice to regulation 23(3) or section 360 of the 1985 Act, the Operator shall not be bound by or compelled to recognise any express, implied or constructive trust or other interest in respect of uncertificated units of a security, even if he has actual or constructive notice of the said trust or interest.

(4) Paragraph (3) shall not prevent, in the case of a participating issuer constituted under the law of Scotland, an Operator giving notice of a trust to the participating issuer on behalf of a system-member.

Notices of meetings etc.

41.—(1) For the purposes of determining which persons are entitled to attend or vote at a meeting, and how many votes such persons may cast, the participating issuer may specify in the notice of the meeting a time, not more than 48 hours before the time fixed for the meeting, by which a person must be entered on the relevant register of securities in order to have the right to attend or vote at the meeting.

(2) Changes to entries on the relevant register of securities after the time specified by virtue of paragraph (1) shall be disregarded in determining the rights of any person to attend or vote at the meeting, notwithstanding any provisions in any enactment, articles of association or other instrument to the contrary.

(3) For the purposes of—

(a) serving notices of meetings, whether under section 370(2) of the 1985 Act, any other enactment, a provision in the articles of association or any other instrument; or

(b) sending copies of the documents required to be sent to any person by section 238 of the 1985 Act,

a participating issuer may determine that persons entitled to receive such notices, or copies of such documents (as the case may be), are those persons entered on the relevant register of securities at the close of business on a day determined by him.

(4) The day determined by a participating issuer under paragraph (3) may not be more than 21 days before the day that the notices of the meeting, or the copies of the documents as the case may be, are sent.

(5) This regulation is without prejudice to the protection afforded—

(a) by paragraph 5(3) of Schedule 4, to a participating issuer which is a company; and

(b) by paragraph 13(4) or 15(3) of Schedule 4, to a participating issuer.

Notices to minority shareholders

42.—(1) Paragraphs (2) to (4) shall apply in relation to any uncertificated units of a security (other than a wholly dematerialised security) to which a notice given under section 429 of the 1985 Act relates, in place of the provisions of section 430(6) of that Act.

(2) Immediately on receipt of a copy sent under section 430(5)(a) of the 1985 Act of a notice given under section 429 relating to uncertificated units of a participating security (whether or not it also relates to certificated units of the security), a company which is a participating issuer shall—

(a) by issuer-instruction—

(i) inform the Operator that the copy notice has been received, and

(ii) identify the holding of uncertificated units of the participating security to which the notice relates; and

(b) enter the name of the relevant system-member on an issuer register of securities as the holder of those uncertificated units.

(3) On receipt of an issuer-instruction under paragraph (2)(a), the Operator shall delete any entry in an Operator register of securities which shows the relevant system-member as the holder of the uncertificated units of the participating security to which the notice relates.

(4) On registration on an issuer register of securities (in accordance with paragraph (2)(b)) of the relevant system-member as the holder of the uncertificated units of the participating security to which the notice relates, the participating issuer—

(a) shall be under the same obligation to enter the offeror on that register as the holder of those units, in place of the relevant system-member, as it would be if it had received an Operator-instruction under regulation 28(2) requiring it to register a transfer of title to those units in that manner; and regulation 28(9) shall have effect accordingly; and

(b) where the terms of issue of the security in question provide for a certificate to be issued, shall issue to the offeror a certificate in respect of those units.

(5) Subsection (1)(b) of section 185 of the 1985 Act shall apply in relation to the issue of a certificate by a participating issuer pursuant to paragraph (4)(b) as it applies in relation to the completion and having ready for delivery by a company of share certificates, debentures or certificates of debenture stock; and in that subsection as it so applies the reference to the date on which a transfer is lodged with the company shall be a reference to the date on which the participating issuer receives the copy notice sent under section 430(5)(a) of the 1985 Act.

(6) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with subsection (1) of section 185 of the 1985 Act shall apply to a participating issuer and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (4)(b) in accordance with the requirements laid down in paragraph (5).

(7) Paragraphs (8) to (11) shall apply in relation to any units of a wholly dematerialised security to which a notice given under section 429 of the 1985 Act relates, in place of the provisions of section 430(6) of that Act.

(8) Immediately on receipt of a copy sent under section 430(5)(a) of the 1985 Act of a notice given under section 429 relating to units of a wholly dematerialised security, a company which is a participating issuer shall—

(a) by issuer-instruction—

(i) inform the Operator that the copy notice has been received; and

(ii) identify the holding of units of the wholly dematerialised security to which the notice relates; and

(b) by a further issuer-instruction, inform the Operator of the name of the transferee.

(9) On receipt of an issuer-instruction under paragraph (8)(a), the Operator shall delete any entry in an Operator register of securities which shows the relevant system-member as the holder of the units to which the notice relates.

(10) On receipt of an issuer-instruction under paragraph (8)(b), the Operator shall enter the transferee on the relevant Operator register of securities as the holder of the units to which the notice relates, in place of the relevant system-member.

(11) Where an Operator deletes an entry in an Operator register of securities pursuant to paragraph (9)—

(a) the units of the wholly dematerialised security to which the notice relates shall notwithstanding that deletion, continue to be regarded as uncertificated units for the purposes of these Regulations until the Operator enters the transferee on the relevant Operator register of securities as the holder of those units;

(b) subject to—

(i) subparagraph (c) or (d), as the case may be; and

(ii) any enactment or rule of law,

the relevant system-member shall, notwithstanding that deletion, retain title to the units of the wholly dematerialised security to which the notice relates until the transferee is entered on the relevant Operator register of securities pursuant to paragraph (10);

(c) in the case of a security constituted under the law of England and Wales or Northern Ireland, the transferee shall acquire an equitable interest in the units of the wholly dematerialised security to which the notice relates;

(d) in the case of a security constituted under the law of Scotland, the relevant system-member shall hold the units of the wholly dematerialised security to which the notice relates on trust for the benefit of the transferee.

(12) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with subsection (5) of section 183 of the 1985 Act shall apply—

(a) to a participating issuer and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (2)(b) or (8); and

(b) to an Operator and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph (3), (9) or (10).

(13) For the purposes of this regulation—

(a) “offeror” has the meaning given by section 428(8) of the 1985 Act as construed in accordance with section 430D(5) of that Act;

(b) “relevant system-member” means the system-member identified in the copy notice sent under section 430(5)(a) of the 1985 Act as the holder of the uncertificated units, or as the case may be the units of the wholly dematerialised security, to which the notice relates; and

(c) “transferee” means the offeror or, if the offeror is not a system-member, the system-member in whose name the units of the wholly dematerialised security to which the notice given under section 429 of the 1985 Act relates are to be registered on the Operator register of securities.

(14) The reference in section 430D(5) of the 1985 Act to section 430(6) shall be taken to include a reference to the provisions of paragraphs (4), (8) and (9).

Irrevocable powers of attorney

43.—(1) This regulation applies where the terms of an offer for all or any uncertificated units of a participating security provide that a person accepting the offer creates an irrevocable power of attorney in favour of the offeror, or a person nominated by the offeror, in the terms set out in the offer.

(2) An acceptance communicated by properly authenticated dematerialised instruction in respect of uncertificated units of a security shall constitute a grant of an irrevocable power of attorney by the system-member accepting the offer in favour of the offeror, or person nominated by the offeror, in the terms set out in the offer.

(3) Where the contract constituted by such offer and acceptance as are referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) respectively is governed by the law of England and Wales, section 4 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1971(14) shall apply to a power of attorney constituted in accordance with this regulation.

(4) A declaration in writing by the offeror stating the terms of a power of attorney and that it has been granted by virtue of this regulation and stating the name and address of the grantor shall be prima facie evidence, and in Scotland sufficient evidence unless the contrary is shown, of the grant; and any requirement in any enactment, rule of law, or instrument to produce a copy of the power of attorney, or such a copy certified in a particular manner, shall be satisfied by the production of the declaration or a copy of the declaration certified in that manner.

(5) In the application of this regulation to an offer, acceptance or contract governed by the law of Scotland, any reference to an irrevocable power of attorney shall mean and include reference to an irrevocable mandate, however expressed.

Actual notice

44.  For the purpose of determining under these Regulations whether a person has actual notice of a fact, matter or thing that person shall not under any circumstances be taken to be concerned to establish whether or not it exists or has occurred.

Participating securities issued in uncertificated form

45.  Nothing in these Regulations shall require—

(a) a participating issuer or its officers to maintain a register which records how many units of a wholly dematerialised security are held in certificated form; or

(b) an Operator or participating issuer, or their officers, to take any action to change a unit of a wholly dematerialised security from uncertificated form to certificated form or vice versa.

DEFAULTS AND CONTRAVENTIONS

Breaches of statutory duty

46.—(1) A default in complying with, or a contravention of, regulation 16(8), 19(2), 25(1), 26, 28(5) or (6), 32(5), 33(5), or 42(2) or (8) shall be actionable at the suit of a person who suffers loss as a result of the default or contravention, or who is otherwise adversely affected by it, subject to the defences and other incidents applying to actions for breach of statutory duty.

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not affect the liability which any person may incur, nor affect any right which any person may have, apart from paragraph (1).

Liability of officers for contraventions

47.—(1) In regulation 16(7), 20(7), 21(5), 22(5), 28(9), 32(9) or (10), 33(11) or 42(6) or (12) an officer of a participating issuer shall be in default in complying with, or in contravention of, the provision mentioned in that regulation if, and only if, he knowingly and wilfully authorised or permitted the default or contravention.

(2) In regulation 20(7), 21(4), 22(4), 27(9), 32(9), 33(11) or 42(12) an officer of an Operator shall be in default in complying with, or in contravention of, the provision mentioned in that regulation if, and only if, he knowingly and wilfully authorised or permitted the default or contravention.

Exemption from liability

48.  Regulations 21(5), 28(9), 32(9) and (10), and 33(11) shall not apply to any of the following or its officers—

(a) the Crown;

(b) any person acting on behalf of the Crown;

(c) the Bank of England; or

(d) in respect of a security which immediately before it became a participating security was transferable by exempt transfer within the meaning of the Stock Transfer Act 1982(15), a participating issuer.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Application to Northern Ireland

49.—(1) In their application to Northern Ireland, these Regulations shall have effect with the following modifications.

(2) In regulation 38(5)—

(a) for the reference to section 53(1)(c) of the Law of Property Act 1925 there shall be substituted a reference to section 6 of the Statute of Frauds (Ireland) 1695(16); and

(b) for the reference to section 136 of the Law of Property Act 1925 there shall be substituted a reference to section 87 of the Judicature (Northern Ireland) Act 1978(17).

(3) In regulation 43(3) for the reference to section 4 of the Powers of Attorney Act 1971 there shall be substituted a reference to section 3 of the Powers of Attorney Act (Northern Ireland) 1971(18).

(4) In Schedule 4—

(a) for references to the registrar of companies there shall be substituted references to the registrar of companies appointed under Article 653 of the 1986 Order;

(b) for references to an overseas branch register there shall be substituted references to an external branch register within the meaning of Article 370 of the 1986 Order;

(c) in paragraph 6(1), for the words from “in the case of a company registered in England and Wales” to the end there shall be substituted “elsewhere than in Northern Ireland”;

(d) in paragraphs 9 and 15(5), for the words from “and references to the 1985 Act” to the end there shall be substituted “and references to the 1986 Order in the Companies (Inspection and Copying of Registers, Indices and Documents) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1993(19) shall be construed accordingly”;

(e) in paragraph 16(2), for subparagraphs (a) and (b) there shall be substituted “in Northern Ireland”; and

(f) in paragraph 18(a), for the reference to the Companies Acts there shall be substituted a reference to the Companies Orders within the meaning of Article 2(3) of the 1986 Order.

(5) For references to provisions of the 1985 Act there shall be substituted references to the equivalent provisions of the 1986 Order and, in particular, for the references to the 1985 Act listed in column 1 of Schedule 5, in the provisions of these Regulations listed in column 2 of that Schedule, there shall be substituted the references to the 1986 Order listed in column 3 of that Schedule.

TRANSITORY PROVISIONS, AMENDMENTS AND REVOCATIONS

Transitory provisions

50.  Schedule 6 (transitory provisions) shall have effect.

Minor and consequential amendments

51.  Schedule 7 (minor and consequential amendments) shall have effect.

Revocations

52.—(1) The following provisions of the 1965 Regulations are hereby revoked, namely—

• regulation 4(3) and (4);

• regulations 4A and 4B;

• regulation 6(5);

• regulation 17(7);

• regulation 18(5);

• regulation 19(2);

• regulation 20(2); and

• Schedule 1.

(2) The following provisions of the 1974 Regulations are hereby revoked, namely—

• regulation 6(6);

• regulation 6A;

• regulation 7(1)(b), (4) and (5);

• regulation 8(2) and (3);

• regulation 9(4);

• regulation 10(3);

• regulation 16(4);

• regulation 21(3); and

• Schedule 2.

(3) The 1995 Regulations are hereby revoked.

(4) The following provisions of the Open-Ended Investment Companies Regulations 2001(20) are hereby revoked, namely—

• regulation 47(1);

• in Schedule 3—

  • paragraph 2(2),

  • paragraph 5(1)(c) and the word “and” immediately before it, and

  • paragraph 6(3)(d) and the word “and” immediately before it;

• paragraph 3 of Schedule 4; and

• paragraph 12 of Schedule 7.

Anne McGuire

John Heppell

Two of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury

23rd November 2001

Regulation 5(1)

SCHEDULE 1 REQUIREMENTS FOR APPROVAL OF A PERSON AS OPERATOR

Arrangements and resources

1.  An Operator must have adequate arrangements and resources for the effective monitoring and enforcement of compliance with his rules or, as respects monitoring, arrangements providing for that function to be performed on his behalf (and without affecting his responsibility) by another body or person who is able and willing to perform it.

Financial resources

2.  An Operator must have financial resources sufficient for the proper performance of his functions as an Operator.

Promotion and maintenance of standards

3.  An Operator must be able and willing to promote and maintain high standards of integrity and fair dealing in the operation of the relevant system and to cooperate, by the sharing of information or otherwise, with the Treasury and any other authority, body or person having responsibility for the supervision or regulation of investment business or other financial services.

Operation of the relevant system

4.—(1) Except in the circumstances referred to in subparagraph (2), where an Operator causes or permits a part of the relevant system which is not the Operator-system to be operated by another person (other than as his agent) the Operator—

(a) shall monitor compliance by the person and that part with the requirements of this Schedule; and

(b) shall have arrangements to ensure that the person provides him with such information and such assistance as he may require in order to meet his obligations under these Regulations.

(2) Where a part of the relevant system which is not the Operator-system comprises procedures which enable dematerialised instructions to be authenticated in accordance with paragraph 5(3)(b), the Operator shall have arrangements to ensure that he is provided with such information and such assistance as he may require in order to keep under review his agreement to the specifications by which those dematerialised instructions may be authenticated.

System security

5.—(1) A relevant system must be so constructed and operate in such a way that it satisfies the requirements of subparagraphs (2) to (6).

(2) The relevant system must minimise the possibility of unauthorised access to, or modification of, any program or data held in any computer forming part of the Operator-system.

(3) Each dematerialised instruction must be authenticated—

(a) in accordance with the specifications of the Operator, and those specifications shall provide that each dematerialised instruction—

(i) is identifiable as being from the computers of the Operator or of a particular system-participant; and

(ii) is designed to minimise fraud and forgery; or

(b) if it is sent to the Operator by, or by the Operator to, a depositary, a clearing house or an exchange, in accordance with specifications of that depositary, clearing house or exchange to which the Operator has agreed and which provide that each dematerialised instruction—

(i) is identifiable as being from the computers of the Operator or of the depositary, clearing house or exchange which sent it; and

(ii) is designed to minimise fraud and forgery.

(4) Each dematerialised instruction must, in accordance with any relevant rules of the Operator and with the specifications of the Operator or the specifications referred to in subparagraph (3)(b) (as the case may be), express by whom it has been sent and, where relevant, on whose behalf it has been sent.

(5) Each dematerialised instruction must, in accordance with any relevant rules of the Operator and with the specifications of the Operator or the specifications referred to in subparagraph (3)(b) (as the case may be), indicate—

(a) where it is sent to a system-participant or the Operator, that it is addressed to that system-participant or the Operator;

(b) where it is sent to a person who is using the facilities of a sponsoring system-participant to receive dematerialised instructions, that it is addressed to that person and the sponsoring system-participant; and

(c) where it is sent to the Operator in order for him to send an Operator-instruction to a system-participant, that it is addressed to the Operator, to the system-participant and, if the system-participant is acting as a sponsoring system-participant, to the relevant person on whose behalf the sponsoring system-participant receives dematerialised instructions.

(6) The relevant system must minimise the possibility for a system-participant to send a dematerialised instruction on behalf of a person from whom he has no authority.

(7) For the purposes of this paragraph—

“clearing house” means a body or association—

(a)

which is a recognised clearing house within section 285(1)(b) of the 2000 Act;

(b)

which is authorised under that Act to provide clearing services in the United Kingdom; or

(c)

which provides services outside the United Kingdom which are similar in nature to those provided by any such body or association, and which is regulated or supervised in the provision of those services by a regulatory body or agency of government;

“depositary” means a body or association carrying on business outside the United Kingdom with whom an Operator has made arrangements—

(a)

to enable system-members to hold (whether directly or indirectly) and transfer title to securities (other than participating securities) by means of facilities provided by that body or association; or

(b)

to enable that body or association to permit persons to whom it provides services in the course of its business to hold (whether directly or indirectly) and transfer title to participating securities by means of the Operator’s relevant system; and

“exchange” means a body or association—

(a)

which is a recognised investment exchange within section 285(1)(a) of the 2000 Act;

(b)

which is authorised under that Act to provide a facility for the matching and execution of transactions in securities in the United Kingdom; or

(c)

which provides services outside the United Kingdom which are similar in nature to those provided by any such body or association, and which is regulated or supervised in the provision of those services by a regulatory body or agency of government.

System capabilities

6.  A relevant system must ensure that the Operator-system can send and respond to properly authenticated dematerialised instructions in sufficient volume and speed.

7.  Before an Operator registers a transfer of title to uncertificated units of a security, a relevant system must be able to establish—

(a) that the transferor has title to such number of units of the security as is in aggregate at least equal to the number to be transferred; or

(b) that the transfer is one of two or more transfers which may be registered in accordance with regulation 30(2).

8.  Before an Operator-instruction to a participating issuer to register a transfer of title to uncertificated units of a security is generated, a relevant system must be able to establish that the transferor has title to such number of units of the security as is in aggregate at least equal to the number to be transferred.

9.  A relevant system must enable an Operator to comply with his obligations to keep all necessary Operator registers of securities in accordance with these Regulations.

10.  A relevant system must maintain adequate records of all dematerialised instructions.

11.  A relevant system must—

(a) enable each system-member to obtain a copy of any records relating to him as are maintained by the relevant system in order to comply with paragraph 7(a), 8 or 10; and

(b) be able to make correcting entries in such records as are maintained in order to comply with paragraph 7(a) or 8 which are inaccurate.

12.  A relevant system must be able to permit each participating issuer to inspect the entries from time to time appearing in an Operator register of securities relating to any participating security issued by him.

13.  A relevant system must be able to establish, where there is a transfer of uncertificated units of a security to a system-member for value, that a settlement bank has agreed to make payment in respect of the transfer, whether alone or taken together with another transfer for value.

14.  A relevant system must ensure that the Operator-system is able to generate Operator-instructions—

(a) requiring participating issuers to amend the appropriate issuer registers of securities kept by them;

(b) informing participating issuers in a way which enables them to amend the appropriate records of securities kept by them; and

(c) informing settlement banks of their payment obligations.

15.  A relevant system must—

(a) enable a system-member—

(i) to grant authority to a sponsoring system-participant to send properly authenticated dematerialised instructions on his behalf; and

(ii) to limit such authority by reference to the net value of the units of the securities to be transferred in any one day; and

(b) prevent the transfer of units in excess of that limit.

16.  For the purposes of paragraph 15(a)(ii), once authority is granted pursuant to a system charge (within the meaning of regulation 3 of the Financial Markets and Insolvency Regulations 1996(21)) a limit of such authority shall not be imposed or changed without the consent of the donee of that authority.

17.  Nothing in paragraph 15 or 16 shall be taken, in respect of an authority, to modify or derogate from the protections given by or under any enactment to a donee of the authority or a third person.

18.  A relevant system must enable system-members—

(a) to change the form in which they hold units of a participating security; and

(b) where appropriate, to require participating issuers to issue certificates relating to units of a participating security held or to be held by them.

19.  Paragraph 18 shall not apply to any wholly dematerialised security.

Operating procedures

20.  A relevant system must comprise procedures which provide that it responds only to properly authenticated dematerialised instructions which are attributable to a system-user or an Operator.

21.—(1) Subject to subparagraphs (2) to (5), a relevant system must comprise procedures which provide that an Operator only registers a transfer of title to uncertificated units of a security or generates an Operator-instruction requiring a participating issuer to register such a transfer, and only generates an Operator-instruction informing a settlement bank of its payment obligations in respect of such a transfer, if—

(a) it has—

(i) received a system-member instruction which is attributable to the transferor; or

(ii) been required to do so by a court in the United Kingdom or by or under an enactment;

(b) it has—

(i) established that the transferor has title to such number of units as is in aggregate at least equal to the number to be transferred; or

(ii) established that the transfer is one of two or more transfers which may be registered in accordance with regulation 30(2);

(c) in the case of a transfer to a system-member for value, it has established that a settlement bank has agreed to make payment in respect of the transfer, whether alone or taken together with another transfer for value; and

(d) the transfer is not in excess of any limit which by virtue of paragraph 15(a)(ii) the transferor has set on an authority given by him to a sponsoring system-participant.

(2) Subparagraph (1)(a) shall not prevent the registration by an Operator of a transfer of title to uncertificated units of a security, or the generation of an Operator-instruction, in accordance with procedures agreed between the Operator and the transferor to enable the transfer by means of a relevant system of uncertificated units of a security provided that such transfer is for the purpose of, or relates to, facilitating the provision of financial credit or financial liquidity to the transferor by a settlement bank, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, any other central bank, or any other body having functions as a monetary authority.

(3) A relevant system must comprise procedures which provide that—

(a) the Operator may amend an Operator register of securities; and

(b) an Operator-instruction requiring a participating issuer to register a transfer of uncertificated units of a security, or informing a settlement bank of its payment obligations in respect of such a transfer, may be generated,

if necessary to correct an error and if in accordance with the rules made and practices instituted by the Operator in order to comply with this Schedule.

(4) A relevant system must comprise procedures which provide that—

(a) the Operator may amend an Operator register of securities; and

(b) an Operator-instruction requiring a participating issuer to register a transfer of units of a wholly dematerialised security, or informing a settlement bank of its payment obligations in respect of such a transfer, may be generated,

if necessary to effect a transfer of such units, on the termination of participation in the relevant system by the system-member by whom those units are held and if in accordance with the rules made and practices instituted by the Operator in order to comply with this Schedule, to a person nominated under the Operator’s rules.

(5) Subparagraph (1)(a) shall not prevent the registration by an Operator of a transfer of title to uncertificated units of a security, or the generation of an Operator-instruction, in order to give effect to the procedures referred to in subparagraph (3) or (4).

22.—(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), a relevant system must comprise procedures which provide that an Operator-instruction to a participating issuer relating to a right, privilege or benefit attaching to or arising from an uncertificated unit of a security, is generated only if it has—

(a) received a properly authenticated dematerialised instruction attributable to the system-member having the right, privilege or benefit requiring the Operator to generate an Operator-instruction to the participating issuer; or

(b) been required to do so by a court in the United Kingdom or by or under an enactment.

(2) A relevant system must comprise procedures which provide that an Operator-instruction to a participating issuer relating to a right, privilege or benefit attaching to or arising from an uncertificated unit of a security, may be generated if necessary to correct an error and if in accordance with the rules made and practices instituted by an Operator in order to comply with this Schedule.

23.  A relevant system must comprise procedures which ensure that, where participating issuers keep records of securities, those records are regularly reconciled with the relevant Operator registers of securities.

24.  A relevant system must comprise procedures which—

(a) enable system-users to notify the Operator of an error in or relating to a dematerialised instruction; and

(b) ensure that, where the Operator becomes aware of an error in or relating to a dematerialised instruction, he takes appropriate corrective action.

Rules and practices

25.  An Operator’s rules and practices—

(a) must bind system-members and participating issuers—

(i) so as to ensure the efficient processing of transfers of title to uncertificated units of a security in response to Operator-instructions; and

(ii) as to the action to be taken where transfer of title in response to a system-member instruction or an Operator-instruction cannot be effected;

(b) must make provision as to the manner in which a system-member or the relevant participating issuer may change the form in which that system-member holds units of a participating security (other than a wholly dematerialised security);

(c) must make provision for a participating issuer to cease to participate in respect of a participating security so as—

(i) to minimise so far as practicable any disruption to system-members in respect of their ability to transfer the relevant security; and

(ii) to provide the participating issuer with any relevant information held by the Operator relating to the uncertificated units of the relevant security held by system-members;

(d) must make provision for the orderly termination of participation by system-members and system-participants whose participation is disruptive to other system-members or system-participants or to participating issuers;

(e) must make provision—

(i) as to which of the Operator’s records are to constitute an Operator register of securities in relation to a participating security, or a participating security of a particular kind; and

(ii) as to the times at which, and the manner in which, a participating issuer may inspect an Operator register of securities in accordance with paragraph 12;

(f) if they make provision for the designation of a subsidiary undertaking as a relevant nominee, must require that the relevant nominee maintain adequate records of—

(i) the names of the persons who have an interest in the securities it holds; and

(ii) the nature and extent of their interests; and

(g) must make provision for the authentication by the Operator of any written notification given under regulation 25(3) or 32(2)(c).

26.  An Operator’s rules and practices must require—

(a) that each system-participant is able to send and receive properly authenticated dematerialised instructions;

(b) that each system-member has arrangements—

(i) for properly authenticated dematerialised instructions attributable to him to be sent;

(ii) for properly authenticated dematerialised instructions to be received by or for him; and

(iii) with a settlement bank for payments to be made, where appropriate, for units of a security transferred by means of the relevant system; and

(c) that each participating issuer is able to respond with sufficient speed to Operator-instructions.

27.  An Operator must have rules which require system-users and former system-users to provide him with such information in their possession as he may require in order to meet his obligations under these Regulations.

Regulation 13

SCHEDULE 2 PREVENTION OF RESTRICTIVE PRACTICES

Examination of rules and practices

1.—(1) The Treasury shall not approve a person as Operator of a relevant system unless they are satisfied that the rules and any guidance of which copies are furnished with the application for approval—

(a) do not have, and are not intended or likely to have, to any significant extent the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition; or

(b) if they have or are intended to have that effect to any significant extent, that the effect is not greater than is necessary for the protection of investors, or for compliance with Directive 2000/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(22).

(2) Subject to subparagraph (5), the powers conferred by subparagraph (3) shall be exercisable by the Treasury if at any time it appears to them that—

(a) any rules made or guidance issued by an Operator;

(b) any practices of an Operator in his capacity as such; or

(c) any practices of a system-user,

have, or are intended or likely to have, to a significant extent the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition and that the effect is greater than is necessary for the protection of investors or for compliance with Directive 2000/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

(3) The powers exercisable under this paragraph are—

(a) to withdraw approval from the Operator;

(b) to direct the Operator to take specified steps for the purpose of securing that the rules, guidance or practices in question do not have the effect mentioned in subparagraph (2); or

(c) to make alterations in the rules of the Operator for that purpose.

(4) The practices referred to in subparagraph (2)(c) are practices in relation to business in respect of which system-users are subject to the rules of the Operator and which are required or contemplated by his rules or guidance or otherwise attributable to his conduct in his capacity as Operator.

(5) The provisions of Schedule 3 shall apply as regards the procedure to be followed before—

(a) refusing to approve a person as Operator of a relevant system pursuant to subparagraph (1); or

(b) exercising any of the powers conferred by subparagraph (3).

Modification of paragraph 1 where delegation order is made

2.—(1) This paragraph applies instead of paragraph 1 where the function of approving a person as Operator has been delegated to the designated agency by virtue of regulation 11.

(2) The designated agency—

(a) shall send to the Treasury a copy of the rules and any guidance copies of which accompany the application for approval together with any other information supplied with or in connection with the application; and

(b) shall not grant the approval without the leave of the Treasury,

and the Treasury shall not give leave in any case in which they would (apart from the delegation of functions to the designated agency) have been precluded by paragraph 1(1) from granting approval.

(3) The designated agency shall send to the Treasury a copy of any notice received by it from an Operator under regulation 10(5).

(4) If at any time it appears to the Treasury that there are circumstances such that (apart from the delegation of functions to the designated agency) they would have been able to exercise any of the powers conferred by paragraph 1(3) they may, notwithstanding the delegation of functions to the designated agency but subject to paragraph 1(5)—

(a) themselves exercise the power conferred by paragraph 1(3)(a); or

(b) direct the designated agency to exercise the power conferred by paragraph 1(3)(b) or (c) in such manner as they may specify.

(5) The provisions of Schedule 3 shall apply as regards the procedure to be followed before the Treasury exercise their power to refuse leave under subparagraph (2), or their power to give a direction under subparagraph (4), in respect of an Operator.

Reports by the Director General of Fair Trading

3.—(1) The Treasury shall before deciding—

(a) whether to refuse to approve a person as Operator of a relevant system pursuant to paragraph 1(1); or

(b) whether to refuse leave for the granting of an approval pursuant to paragraph 2(2),

send to the Director General of Fair Trading (in this Schedule referred to as “the Director”) a copy of the rules and of any guidance which the Treasury are required to consider in making that decision together with such other information as the Treasury consider will assist in discharging his functions under subparagraph (2).

(2) The Director shall report to the Treasury whether, in his opinion, the rules and guidance copies of which are sent to him under subparagraph (1) have, or are intended or likely to have, to any significant extent the effect of restricting, distorting or preventing competition and, if so, what that effect is likely to be; and in making any decision as is mentioned in subparagraph (1) the Treasury shall have regard to the Director’s report.

(3) The Treasury shall send to the Director copies of any notice received by them under regulation 10(5) or paragraph 2(3) together with such other information as the Treasury consider will assist the Director in discharging his functions under subparagraphs (4) and (5).

(4) The Director shall keep under review—

(a) the rules, guidance and practices mentioned in paragraph 1(2); and

(b) the matters specified in the notices of which copies are sent to him under subparagraph (3),

and if at any time he is of the opinion that any such rules or guidance taken together with any such matters, have, or are intended or likely to have, to any significant extent the effect mentioned in subparagraph (2), he shall report his opinion to the Treasury stating what in his opinion that effect is or is likely to be.

(5) The Director may report to the Treasury his opinion that any such matter as is mentioned in subparagraph (4)(b) does not in his opinion have, and is not intended or likely to have, to any significant extent the effect mentioned in subparagraph (2).

(6) The Director may from time to time consider whether any such practices as are mentioned in paragraph 1(2) have, or are intended or likely to have, to any significant extent the effect mentioned in subparagraph (2) and, if so, what that effect is or is likely to be; and if he is of that opinion he shall make a report to the Treasury stating his opinion and what the effect is or is likely to be.

(7) The Treasury shall not exercise their powers under paragraph 1(3) or 2(4) except after receiving a report from the Director under subparagraph (4) or (6).

(8) The Director may, if he thinks fit, publish any report made by him under this paragraph but shall exclude from a published report, so far as practicable, any matter which relates to the affairs of a particular person (other than the person seeking approval as an Operator) the publication of which would or might in his opinion seriously and prejudicially affect the interests of that person.

Investigations by the Director General of Fair Trading

4.—(1) For the purpose of investigating any matter with a view to his consideration under paragraph 3 the Director may by a notice in writing—

(a) require any person to produce, at any time and place specified in the notice, to the Director or to any person appointed by him for the purpose, any documents which are specified or described in the notice and which are documents in his custody or under his control and relating to any matter relevant to the investigation; or

(b) require any person carrying on business to furnish to the Director such information as may be specified or described in the notice, and specify the time within which, and the manner and form in which, any such information is to be furnished.

(2) A person shall not under this paragraph be required to produce any document or disclose any information which he would be entitled to refuse to produce or disclose on grounds of legal professional privilege in proceedings in the High Court or on grounds of confidentiality as between client and professional legal adviser in proceedings in the Court of Session.

(3) Subsections (6) to (8) of section 85 of the Fair Trading Act 1973(23) (enforcement provisions) shall apply in relation to a notice under this paragraph as they apply in relation to a notice under subsection (1) of that section but as if in subsection (7) of that section, for the words from “any one” to “the Commission” there were substituted “the Director”.

Exemptions from the Fair Trading Act 1973

5.—(1) For the purpose of determining whether a monopoly situation within the meaning of the Fair Trading Act 1973 exists by reason of the circumstances mentioned in section 7(1)(c) of that Act, no account shall be taken of—

(a) the rules or guidance issued by an Operator or any conduct constituting such a practice as is mentioned in paragraph 1(2); or

(b) any guidance issued by the designated agency in the exercise of its functions under these Regulations or any practices of the designated agency in the exercise of its functions under these Regulations.

(2) Where an Operator’s approval is withdrawn there shall be disregarded for the purpose mentioned in subparagraph (1) any such conduct as is mentioned in that subparagraph which occurred while the approval was in force.

(3) Where on a monopoly reference under section 50 or 51 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 falling within section 49 of that Act the Competition Commission find that a monopoly situation within the meaning of that Act exists, and—

(a) that the person (or, if more than one, any of the persons) in whose favour it exists is subject to the rules of an Operator or to the requirements imposed and guidance issued by the designated agency in the exercise of functions delegated to it under regulation 11; or

(b) that any such person’s conduct in carrying on any business to which those rules relate is the subject of guidance issued by an Operator or the designated agency; or

(c) that the person (or, if more than one, any of the persons) in whose favour the monopoly situation exists is an Operator or the designated agency,

the Commission, in making their report on that reference, shall exclude from their consideration the question whether the rules, guidance or any acts or omissions of such an Operator or agency as is mentioned in subparagraph (c) in his or its capacity as such operate, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest; and section 54(3) of that Act shall apply subject to the provisions of this paragraph.

Exemptions from the Competition Act 1998

6.—(1) The Chapter I prohibition does not apply to —

(a) an agreement for the constitution of an Operator; or

(b) an agreement for the constitution of a person who has applied for approval as an Operator in accordance with these Regulations and whose application has not yet been determined,

to the extent to which the agreement relates to rules made or guidance issued by the Operator.

(2) The Chapter I prohibition does not apply to a decision made by an Operator to the extent to which the decision relates to any of the rules made or guidance issued by that Operator or to the Operator’s specified practices.

(3) The Chapter I prohibition does not apply to the specified practices of—

(a) an Operator; or

(b) a person who is subject to the rules of an Operator.

(4) The Chapter I prohibition does not apply to any agreement the parties to which consist of or include—

(a) an Operator; or

(b) a person who is subject to the rules of an Operator,

to the extent to which the agreement consists of provisions the inclusion of which is required or contemplated by these Regulations or by any rules made or guidance issued by the Operator or by the Operator’s specified practices.

(5) In this paragraph—

“the Chapter I prohibition” means the prohibition imposed by section 2(1) of the Competition Act 1998(24); and

“specified practices” means—

(a)

any practices of an Operator in its capacity as such; or

(b)

any practices of persons who are members of, or otherwise subject to rules made by, an Operator and which are practices—

(i)

in relation to business in respect of which the persons in question are subject to the rules of the Operator where those practices are required or contemplated by the rules of the Operator or by guidance issued by the Operator; or

(ii)

otherwise attributable to the conduct of the Operator as such;

and expressions used in this paragraph which are also used in Part I of the Competition Act 1998 are to be interpreted in the same way as for the purposes of that Part of that Act.

Supplementary provisions

7.—(1) Any direction given under this Schedule shall, on the application of the person by whom it was given, be enforceable by injunction or, in Scotland, by an order for specific performance under section 45 of the Court of Session Act 1988.

(2) The fact that any rules made by an Operator have been altered by or pursuant to a direction given by the Treasury under this Schedule shall not preclude their subsequent alteration or revocation by the Operator.

(3) In determining under this Schedule whether any guidance has, or is likely to have, any particular effect the Treasury and the Director may assume that the persons to whom it is addressed will act in conformity with it.

Regulations 5(4), 7(3) and 8(4)

SCHEDULE 3 PROCEDURE FOR REFUSAL OR WITHDRAWAL OF APPROVAL AS AN OPERATOR, OR FOR GIVING DIRECTIONS, ETC.

1.  Before—

(a) refusing an application for approval as an Operator made under regulation 4 (whether or not pursuant to paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 2);

(b) withdrawing an Operator’s approval under regulation 7(2);

(c) giving a direction under regulation 8;

(d) exercising any power conferred by paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 2;

(e) exercising the power to refuse leave under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 2; or

(f) giving a direction under paragraph 2(4) of Schedule 2, the Treasury shall—

(i) give written notice of their intention to do so to the Operator;

(ii) take such steps as they consider reasonably practicable to bring the notice to the attention of system-users; and

(iii) publish the notice in such manner as they think appropriate for bringing it to the attention of other persons who are, in their opinion, likely to be affected.

2.  A notice under paragraph 1 shall—

(a) state why the Treasury intend to refuse the application, withdraw the approval, give the direction, or exercise the power in question; and

(b) draw attention to the right to make representations conferred by paragraph 3.

3.  Before the end of the period for making representations—

(a) the Operator,

(b) any system-user, and

(c) any other person who is likely to be affected by the proposed withdrawal or direction,

may make representations to the Treasury.

4.  The period for making representations is—

(a) two months beginning—

(i) with the date on which the notice under paragraph 1 is served on the Operator; or

(ii) if later, with the date on which that notice is published; or

(b) such longer period as the Treasury may allow in the particular case.

5.  In deciding whether to refuse the application, withdraw the approval, give the direction, or exercise the power in question, the Treasury shall have regard to any representations made in accordance with paragraph 3.

6.  When the Treasury have decided whether to refuse the application, withdraw the approval, give the direction, or exercise the power in question they shall, if they have decided to refuse the application, withdraw the Operator’s approval under regulation 7(2), give a direction under regulation 8 or exercise a power conferred by paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 2—

(a) give the Operator written notice of their decision; and

(b) take such steps as they consider reasonably practicable for bringing their decision to the attention of system-users and of any other persons who are, in the Treasury’s opinion, likely to be affected.

7.  If the Treasury consider it essential to do so, they may withdraw an Operator’s approval under regulation 7(2) or give a direction under regulation 8—

(a) without following the procedure set out in this Schedule; or

(b) if the Treasury have begun to follow that procedure, regardless of whether the period for making representations has expired.

8.  If the Treasury have, in relation to a particular matter, followed the procedure set out in paragraphs 1 to 5, they need not follow it again if, in relation to that matter, they decide to take action other than that specified in their notice under paragraph 1.

Regulation 23(4)

SCHEDULE 4 KEEPING OF REGISTERS AND RECORDS OF PARTICIPATING SECURITIES

Interpretation

1.  In this Schedule—

“uncertificated shares” means shares title to which may be transferred by means of a relevant system; and “certificated shares” means shares which are not uncertificated shares; and

“uncertificated stock” means stock title to which may be transferred by means of a relevant system; and “certificated stock” means stock which is not uncertificated stock.

Registers of Members

2.—(1) Every participating issuer which is a company shall enter in its issuer register of members—

(a) the names and addresses of the members;

(b) the date on which each person was registered as a member; and

(c) the date at which any person ceased to be a member.

(2) With the names and addresses of the members there shall be entered a statement—

(a) of the certificated shares held by each member, distinguishing each share by its number (so long as the share has a number) and, where the company has more than one class of issued shares, by its class; and

(b) of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on the certificated shares of each member.

(3) Where the company has converted any of its shares into stock and given notice of the conversion to the registrar of companies, the issuer register of members shall show the amount and class of the certificated stock held by each member, instead of the amount of shares and the particulars relating to shares specified in subparagraph (2).

(4) Subject to subparagraph (5), section 352 of the 1985 Act shall not apply to a company which is a participating issuer, other than as respects any overseas branch register.

(5) Section 352(5) of the 1985 Act shall apply to a participating issuer which is a company which makes default in complying with this paragraph and every officer of it who is in default as if such a default were a default in complying with section 352 of that Act.

(6) An entry relating to a former member of the company may be removed from the issuer register of members after the expiration of 20 years beginning with the day on which he ceased to be a member.

(7) For the purposes of this paragraph references to an issuer register of members shall not be taken to include an overseas branch register.

3.  Section 352A of the 1985 Act shall apply to a participating issuer which is a private company limited by shares as if references therein to the company’s register of members were references to its issuer register of members.

4.—(1) In relation to every participating issuer which is a company, an Operator of a relevant system shall, in respect of any class of shares which is a participating security for the purposes of that system, enter on an Operator register of members—

(a) the names and addresses of the members who hold uncertificated shares in the company;

(b) with those names and addresses a statement of the uncertificated shares held by each member and, where the company has more than one class of issued uncertificated shares, distinguishing each share by its class; and

(c) where the company has converted any of its shares into stock and given notice of the conversion to the registrar of companies, the Operator register of members shall show the amount and class of uncertificated stock held by each member, instead of the amount of shares and the particulars relating to shares specified in subparagraph (b).

(2) An entry relating to a member of a company who has ceased to hold any uncertificated shares in the company may be removed from the Operator register of members after the expiration of 20 years beginning with the day on which he ceased to hold any such shares.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph references to an Operator register of members shall not be taken to include an overseas branch register.

(4) Members of a company who hold shares in uncertificated form may not be entered as holders of those shares on an overseas branch register.

Records of uncertificated shares

5.—(1) Every participating issuer which is a company shall enter in its record of uncertificated shares—

(a) the same particulars, so far as practicable, as are required by paragraph 4(1) to be entered in the Operator register of members; and

(b) a statement of the amount paid or agreed to be considered as paid on the uncertificated shares of each member.

(2) A company to which this paragraph applies shall, unless it is impracticable to do so by virtue of circumstances beyond its control, ensure that the record of uncertificated shares is regularly reconciled with the Operator register of members.

(3) Provided that it has complied with subparagraph (2), a company shall not be liable in respect of any act or thing done or omitted to be done by or on behalf of the company in reliance upon the assumption that the particulars entered in any record of uncertificated shares which the company is required to keep by these Regulations accord with the particulars entered in its Operator register of members.

(4) Section 352(5) of the 1985 Act shall apply to a participating issuer which is a company which makes default in complying with this paragraph and every officer of it who is in default as if such a default were a default in complying with section 352 of that Act.

Location of issuer register of members and records of uncertificated shares, and ancillary matters

6.—(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), a company’s issuer register of members and its record of uncertificated shares shall be kept at its registered office, except that—

(a) if the work of making up the issuer register of members or the record of uncertificated shares is done at another office of the company, they may be kept there; and

(b) if the company arranges with some other person for the making up of the issuer register of members or the record of uncertificated shares to be undertaken on its behalf by that other, they may be kept at the office of the other at which the work is done;

but the issuer register of members must not be kept, in the case of a company registered in England and Wales, at any place elsewhere than in England and Wales or, in the case of a company registered in Scotland, at any place elsewhere than in Scotland.

(2) A company’s issuer register of members and its record of uncertificated shares shall at all times be kept at the same place.

(3) Subject as follows, every participating issuer which is a company shall send notice in the prescribed form to the registrar of companies of the place where its issuer register of members and its record of uncertificated shares are kept, and of any change in that place, provided that any notice sent by such a company in accordance with section 353(2) of the 1985 Act, and which has effect on the coming into force of these Regulations, shall be treated as being a notice sent in compliance with this subparagraph.

(4) The notice need not be sent if the issuer register of members and the record of uncertificated shares have at all times since they came into existence been kept at the company’s registered office.

(5) Subject to subparagraph (6), sections 353 and 357 of the 1985 Act shall not apply to a company which is a participating issuer.

(6) Section 353(4) of the 1985 Act shall apply to a participating issuer which is a company which makes default in complying with subparagraph (2) at any time, or makes default for 14 days in complying with subparagraph (3), and every officer of it who is in default as if such a default were a default in complying with section 353(2) of that Act.

7.—(1) Every participating issuer which is a company having more than 50 members shall, unless the particulars required by paragraph 2(1) to be entered in the issuer register of members are kept in such a form as to constitute in themselves an index, keep an index of the names of the members of the company and shall, within 14 days after the date on which any alteration is made in the issuer register of members or the Operator register of members, make any necessary alteration in the index.

(2) The index shall in respect of each member contain a sufficient indication to enable the account of that member in the issuer register of members and, in the case of a member who holds uncertificated shares in the company, in the record of uncertificated shares, to be readily found.

(3) The index shall be at all times kept at the same place as the issuer register of members and the record of uncertificated shares.

(4) Subject to subparagraph (5), section 354 of the 1985 Act shall not apply to a company which is a participating issuer.

(5) Section 354(4) of the 1985 Act shall apply to a participating issuer which is a company which makes default in complying with this paragraph and every officer of it who is in default as if such a default were a default in complying with section 354 of that Act.

8.  Section 355 of the 1985 Act shall apply to a company which is a participating issuer as if references in that section to the company’s register of members were references instead to its issuer register of members.

9.  Section 356 of, and paragraph 25 of Schedule 13 to, the 1985 Act shall apply to a company which is a participating issuer as if—

(a) references in those provisions to the company’s register of members were references to its issuer register of members and its record of uncertificated shares; and

(b) references in section 356 to the company’s index of members were references to the index required to be kept by paragraph 7,

and references to the 1985 Act in the Companies (Inspection and Copying of Registers, Indices and Documents) Regulations 1991(25) shall be construed accordingly.

10.  Where under paragraph 6(1)(b), a company’s issuer register of members and record of uncertificated shares is kept at the office of some person other than the company, and by reason of any default of his the company fails to comply with—

• paragraph 6(2) (record of uncertificated shares to be kept with issuer register of members);

• paragraph 6(3) (notice to registrar);

• paragraph 7(3) (index to be kept with issuer register of members and record of uncertificated shares); or

• section 356 of the 1985 Act (inspection),

or with any requirement of the 1985 Act as to the production of the register of members or any part thereof, that other person is liable to the same penalties as if he were an officer of the company who was in default, and the power of the court under section 356(6) of the 1985 Act extends to the making of orders against that other and his officers and servants.

11.  Where, under section 359 of the 1985 Act, the court orders rectification of the register of members of a company which is a participating issuer, it shall not order the payment of any damages under subsection (2) of that section to the extent that such rectification relates to the company’s Operator register of members and does not arise from an act or omission of the Operator on the instructions of that company or from fraud or other wilful default, or negligence, on the part of that company.

Registers of public sector securities

12.—(1) Where an Operator of a relevant system is required to maintain an Operator register of public sector securities, that register shall comprise the following particulars which the Operator shall enter on it, namely—

(a) the names and addresses of the persons holding units of the relevant participating security in uncertificated form; and

(b) how many units of that security each such person holds in that form.

(2) The following provisions of the 1965 Regulations shall not apply in respect of units of UK Government securities held in uncertificated form—

• regulations 1 to 3;

• regulations 3C to 3E;

• regulations 5 to 13;

• regulations 17 and 18; and

• regulations 19 to 22.

(3) The following provisions of the 1974 Regulations shall not apply in respect of units of local authority securities held in uncertificated form—

• regulations 5 and 6;

• regulations 8 to 14;

• regulation 16; and

• regulation 21.

Records of uncertificated public sector securities

13.—(1) The participating issuer shall enter in a record of uncertificated public sector securities the same particulars, so far as is practicable, as are required by paragraph 12(1) to be entered in the relevant Operator register of public sector securities.

(2) In respect of every participating security which is a UK Government security, the record of uncertificated public sector securities shall be kept in the office of the Chief Registrar of the Bank of England.

(3) The participating issuer shall, unless it is impracticable to do so by virtue of circumstances beyond his control, ensure that the record of uncertificated public sector securities is regularly reconciled with the Operator register of public sector securities.

(4) Provided that he has complied with subparagraph (3), a participating issuer shall not be liable in respect of any act or thing done or omitted to be done by him or on his behalf in reliance upon the assumption that the particulars entered in any record of uncertificated public sector securities which he is required to keep by these Regulations accord with the particulars entered in the Operator register of public sector securities to which the record relates.

(5) The provisions of the Bankers' Books Evidence Act 1879(26) shall apply for the purpose of proving any entry in the record of uncertificated public sector securities as if the participating issuer were a bank and a banker within the meaning of that Act, and as if such entry in the record, or, where the information recorded therein is not in readable form and is later transcribed into readable form, the transcribed version of such entry, were an entry in a banker’s book.

Registers of corporate securities

14.—(1) Where an Operator of a relevant system is required to maintain an Operator register of corporate securities, that register shall comprise the following particulars which the Operator shall enter on it, namely—

(a) the names and addresses of the persons holding units of the relevant participating security in uncertificated form; and

(b) how many units of that security each such person holds in that form.

(2) Sections 190 and 191 of the 1985 Act shall not apply to any part of an Operator register of corporate securities.

Records of uncertificated corporate securities

15.—(1) A participating issuer shall enter in a record of uncertificated corporate securities the same particulars, so far as practicable, as are required by paragraph 14(1) to be entered in the relevant Operator register of corporate securities.

(2) A participating issuer to which this paragraph applies shall, unless it is impracticable to do so by virtue of circumstances beyond its control, ensure that the record of uncertificated corporate securities is regularly reconciled with the Operator register of corporate securities.

(3) Provided that it has complied with subparagraph (2), a participating issuer shall not be liable in respect of any act or thing done or omitted to be done by it or on its behalf in reliance upon the assumption that the particulars entered in any record of uncertificated corporate securities which the participating issuer is required to keep by these Regulations accord with the particulars entered in any Operator register of corporate securities relating to it.

(4) In the case of a participating issuer which is a company, the record of uncertificated corporate securities shall be kept at the same place as the part of any register of debenture holders maintained by the company would be required to be kept.

(5) Section 191(1), (2), (4) and (5) of the 1985 Act shall apply in relation to a record of uncertificated corporate securities maintained by a participating issuer which is a company, so far as that record relates to debentures, as it applies or would apply to any register of debenture holders maintained by the company; and references to the 1985 Act in the Companies (Inspection and Copying of Registers, Indices and Documents) Regulations 1991 shall be construed accordingly.

(6) Any provision of an enactment or instrument which requires a register of persons holding securities (other than shares or public sector securities) to be open to inspection shall also apply to the record of uncertificated corporate securities relating to any units of those securities which are participating securities.

Miscellaneous

16.—(1) Every register which an Operator is required to maintain by virtue of these Regulations shall be kept in the United Kingdom.

(2) Provided that it is kept in the United Kingdom, any such register which relates to securities issued by a company shall be deemed to be kept—

(a) in the case of a company registered in England and Wales, in England and Wales; or

(b) in the case of a company registered in Scotland, in Scotland.

17.—(1) An entry in a register of securities or in a record of securities relating to a person who no longer holds the securities which are the subject of the entry may be removed from the register or the record (as the case may be) after the expiration of 20 years beginning with the day on which the person ceased to hold any of those securities.

(2) Subparagraph (1) does not apply in respect of an entry in a register of members.

18.  Sections 722 and 723(1) and (2) of the 1985 Act shall apply—

(a) to any register, record or index required to be kept by any person in accordance with these Regulations as they apply to any register, record or index required by the Companies Acts to be kept by a company; and

(b) to an Operator and its officers as they apply to a company and its officers.

19.—(1) Such sanctions as apply to a company and its officers in the event of a default in complying with section 352 of the 1985 Act shall apply to an Operator and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph 4, 12 or 14.

(2) Such sanctions as apply to the registrar, within the meaning of the 1974 Regulations, in the event of a default in complying with regulation 5 of those Regulations shall apply to a participating issuer and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph 13 in respect of a local authority security.

(3) Such sanctions as apply in the event of a default in complying with the requirement to maintain a register imposed by the relevant enactment or instrument referred to in regulation 22(1) shall apply to—

(a) a participating issuer other than a company; and

(b) a participating issuer which is a company, in relation to so much of the record of uncertificated corporate securities as does not relate to debentures,

and his officers in the event of a default in complying with paragraph 15.

(4) Subparagraphs (2) and (3) shall not apply to any of the following or its officers—

(a) the Crown;

(b) any person acting on behalf of the Crown;

(c) the Bank of England; or

(d) in respect of a security which immediately before it became a participating security was transferable by exempt transfer within the meaning of the Stock Transfer Act 1982, a participating issuer.

20.  An officer of a participating issuer shall be in default in complying with, or in contravention of paragraph 2, 5, 6, 7, 13 or 15, or section 722(2) of the 1985 Act as applied by paragraph 18, if, and only if, he knowingly and wilfully authorised or permitted the default or contravention.

21.  An officer of an Operator shall be in default in complying with, or in contravention of, the provisions referred to in paragraph 19(1) of this Schedule, or of section 722(2) of the 1985 Act as applied by paragraph 18, if, and only if, he knowingly and wilfully authorised or permitted the default or contravention.

Regulation 49(5)

SCHEDULE 5 ADAPTATIONS IN RESPECT OF NORTHERN IRELAND

Column 1	Column 2	Column 3
References to the 1985 Act	Provisions of these Regulations	Reference to the 1986 Order(27)
Section 182	Paragraph 7 of Schedule 7	Article 192
Section 183	Regulations 27(8) and (9), 28(8) and (9), 32(9), 33(11), 38(7) and 42(12) Paragraph 8 of Schedule 7	Article 193
Section 185	Regulations 32(8) and (10) and 42(5) and (6)	Article 195
Section 186	Regulation 38(3)	Article 196
Section 188	Regulation 18	Article 198
Section 190	Paragraph 14 of Schedule 4	Article 199
Section 191	Paragraphs 14 and 15 of Schedule 4	Article 200
Section 192	Regulation 40(2)	Article 201
Section 209	Paragraph 9 of Schedule 7	Article 217
Section 238	Regulation 41(3)	Article 246
Section 352	Regulations 20(7), 21(4) and 22(4) Paragraphs 2, 5 and 19 of Schedule 4	Article 360
Section 352A	Paragraph 3 of Schedule 4	Article 360A
Section 353	Paragraph 6 of Schedule 4	Article 361
Section 354	Paragraph 7 of Schedule 4	Article 362
Section 355	Paragraph 8 of Schedule 4	Article 363
Section 356	Paragraphs 9 and 10 of Schedule 4	Article 364
Section 357	Paragraph 6 of Schedule 4	Article 365
Section 358	Regulation 26	Article 366
Section 359	Paragraph 11 of Schedule 4	Article 367
Section 360	Regulation 40(3)	Article 368
Section 361	Regulation 24(4)	Article 369
Section 370	Regulation 41(3)	Article 378
Section 376	Regulation 16(7)	Article 384
Section 380	Paragraph 10 of Schedule 7	Article 388
Section 428	Regulation 42(13)	Article 421
Section 429	Regulation 42(1), (2), (7), (8) and (13)	Article 422
Section 430	Regulation 42(1), (2), (5), (7), (8), (13) and (14)	Article 423
Section 430D	Regulation 42(13) and (14)	Article 423D
Section 722	Paragraphs 18, 20 and 21 of Schedule 4	Article 671
Section 723	Paragraph 18 of Schedule 4	Article 672
Section 735	Regulation 3(1)	Article 3
Section 744	Regulation 3(1)	Article 2
Paragraph 25 of Schedule 13	Paragraph 9 of Schedule 4	Paragraph 24 of Schedule 13

Regulation 50

SCHEDULE 6 TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

1.  Prior to the day on which section 19 of the 2000 Act comes into force, each provision of these Regulations specified in this Schedule shall have effect modified as provided in this Schedule.

2.  The definition of “securities” in regulation 3(1) shall be modified by the substitution of the words “the 1986 Act” for the words “section 235 of the 2000 Act”.

3.  Regulation 5 shall be modified by the substitution for paragraph (4) of—

“(4) Where the Treasury refuse an application for approval they shall give the applicant a written notice to that effect stating the reasons for the refusal.”.

4.  Regulation 7 shall be modified by—

(a) the insertion in paragraph (2) of the words “subject to paragraph (3)” after the words “they may”; and

(b) the substitution for paragraphs (3) to (6) of—

“(3) Subsections (2) to (7) and (9) of section 11 of the 1986 Act shall apply in relation to the withdrawal by the Treasury of approval from an Operator under paragraph (2) as they apply in relation to the revocation by the Secretary of State of a recognition order under subsection (1) of that section; and in those subsections as they so apply—

(a) any reference to a recognised organisation shall be taken to be a reference to an Operator;

(b) any reference to members of a recognised organisation shall be taken to be a reference to system-users;

(c) any reference to the Secretary of State shall be taken to be a reference to the Treasury;

(d) any reference to an order other than a recognition order shall be taken to be a reference to a written instrument; and

(e) the reference in subsection (6) to the interests of investors shall be taken to be a reference to the interests of system-users.”

5.  Regulation 8 shall be modified by—

(a) the substitution for paragraph (4) of—

“(4) Before giving a direction under paragraph (2)(b) the Treasury shall—

(a) if the circumstances permit, consult the Operator and afford him an opportunity to make representations; and

(b) so far as is practicable to estimate it, have regard to the cost to the Operator of complying with any term of any direction and to the costs to other persons resulting from the Operator’s compliance.”; and

(b) the omission of paragraphs (5) and (7).

6.  In regulation 9—

(a) paragraph (7) shall be modified by the substitution of the words “Subsections (6) and (7) of section 61 of the 1986 Act” for the words “Subsections (3) to (5) and (8) of section 382 of the 2000 Act”;

(b) paragraphs (10) to (12) shall be modified by the substitution of the words “investment business within the meaning of the 1986 Act” for the words from “business of any of the following kinds” in paragraph (10) to the end of paragraph (12).

7.  Regulation 11(1) shall be modified to read—

“(1) If it appears to the Treasury that there is a body corporate—

(a) to which functions have been transferred under section 114 of the 1986 Act; and

(b) which is able and willing to discharge all or any of the functions conferred by this Part of these Regulations,

they may, subject to paragraphs (2) and (5), by instrument in writing delegate all or any of those functions to that body; and a body to which functions are so delegated is referred to in these Regulations as a “designated agency”.”.

8.  In paragraph 5(7) of Schedule 1—

(a) paragraph (a) of the definition of “clearing house” shall be modified by the substitution of the words “for the purposes of the 1986 Act” for the words “within section 285(1)(b) of the 2000 Act”; and

(b) paragraph (a) of the definition of “exchange” shall be modified by the substitution of the words “for the purposes of the 1986 Act” for the words “within section 285(1)(a) of the 2000 Act”.

9.  Schedule 2 shall be modified by—

(a) the substitution for subparagraph (5) in paragraph 1 of—

“(5) Subsections (2) to (5), (7) and (9) of section 11 of the 1986 Act shall apply in relation to the withdrawal of approval under subparagraph (3) as they apply in relation to the revocation by the Secretary of State of a recognition order under subsection (1) of that section; and in those subsections as they so apply—

(a) any reference to a recognised organisation shall be taken to be a reference to an Operator;

(b) any reference to members of a recognised organisation shall be taken to be a reference to system-users;

(c) any reference to the Secretary of State shall be taken to be a reference to the Treasury; and

(d) any reference to an order other than a recognition order shall be taken to be a reference to a written instrument.”;

(b) the omission from paragraph 2 of subparagraph (5); and

(c) the insertion after paragraph 7 of a new paragraph reading—

“8.— (1) Before the Treasury exercise a power under paragraph 1(3)(b) or (c), or their power to refuse leave under paragraph 2(2), or their power to give a direction under paragraph 2(4), in respect of an Operator, they shall—

(a) give written notice of their intention to do so to the Operator and take such steps (whether by publication or otherwise) as they think appropriate for bringing the notice to the attention of any other person who in their opinion is likely to be affected by the exercise of the power; and

(b) have regard to any representation made within such time as they consider reasonable by the Operator or by any such other person.

(2) A notice under subparagraph (1) shall give particulars of the manner in which the Treasury propose to exercise the power in question and state the reasons for which they propose to act; and the statement of reasons may include matters contained in any report received by them under paragraph 3.”.

Regulation 51

SCHEDULE 7 MINOR AND CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS

Part 1 Primary Legislation

The National Debt Act 1870

1.  In section 3 of the National Debt Act 1870(28), for the definition of “Stockholder” there shall be substituted—

““Stockholder” means a person holding stock, being entered as such in—

(a)

a register kept by the Bank of England or the Bank of Ireland under regulation 1 of the Government Stock Regulations 1965; or

(b)

a register kept by the Operator of a relevant system under the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (and “Operator” and “relevant system” shall have the same meanings as they have in those Regulations):”.

The National Debt (Stockholders Relief) Act 1892

2.  In subsection (1) of section 2 of the National Debt (Stockholders Relief) Act 1892(29), for the word “inscribed” there shall be substituted “entered in a relevant register”.

The Finance (No. 2) Act 1915

3.  In section 48 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1915(30)—

(a) after “Director of Savings,” there shall be inserted “to the Operator of any relevant system”; and

(b) after “by that person” there shall be inserted “; and in this section “Operator” and “relevant system” have the same meanings as they have in the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”.

The Finance Act 1916

4.  In section 67 of the Finance Act 1916(31)—

(a) after “Director of Savings,” there shall be inserted “the Operator of any relevant system”; and

(b) at the end of that section there shall be added “; and in this section “Operator” and “relevant system” have the same meanings as they have in the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”.

The Finance Act 1949

5.  In section 48 of the Finance Act 1949(32)—

(a) in subsection (1), after “Bank of England” where it first appears there shall be inserted “or the Operator of any relevant system”;

(b) in the proviso to subsection (1)—

(i) for “the Bank of England shall not” there shall be substituted “neither the Bank of England nor any such Operator shall”; and

(ii) for “to the Bank” there shall be substituted “to the Bank, or to that Operator as the case may be,”;

(c) in subsection (2), after “Bank of England” there shall be inserted “or the Operator, as the case may be,”; and

(d) after subsection (4) the following subsection shall be added—

“(5) In this section, “Operator” and “relevant system” have the same meanings as they have in the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.”.

The Finance (No. 2) Act 1975

6.  In section 73 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 1975(33)—

(a) in subsection (4), after “means” in the definition of “the Bank” there shall be inserted “(subject to subsection (4A))”; and

(b) after subsection (4) the following subsection shall be added—

“(4A) In the case of units of stock which are recorded on a register kept by the Operator of a relevant system—

(a) the reference to the Bank in subsection (1) so far as it relates to paragraph (c) of that subsection; and

(b) the references to the Bank in subsections (2) and (3) so far as they apply for the purposes of that paragraph,

shall be taken to be references to that Operator; and in this subsection “Operator” and “relevant system” have the same meanings as in the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.”.

The Companies Act 1985

7.  In subsection (1)(b) of section 182 of the 1985 Act, after “simplified process)” there shall be inserted “and to regulations made under section 207 of the Companies Act 1989 (which enable title to securities to be evidenced and transferred without a written instrument).”.

8.  In subsection (1) of section 183 of that Act, after “Stock Transfer Act 1982” there shall be inserted “or is in accordance with regulations made under section 207 of the Companies Act 1989.”.

9.  In section 209(9B)(b) of the 1985 Act, for “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995” there shall be substituted “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”.

10.  In subsection (4) of section 380 of the 1985 Act, after paragraph (k) the following paragraphs shall be added—

“(l) a resolution of the directors passed by virtue of regulation 16(2) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (which allows title to a company’s shares to be evidenced and transferred without written instrument); and

(m) a resolution of a company passed by virtue of regulation 16(6) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (which prevents or reverses a resolution of the directors under regulation 16(2) of those Regulations).”.

The Financial Services Act 1986

11.  In subsection (1) of section 180 of the 1986 Act, after paragraph (n) the following paragraph shall be added—

“(nn) to an Operator approved under the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 if the information is necessary to ensure the proper functioning of a relevant system within the meaning of those Regulations in relation to defaults and potential defaults by market-participants;”.

12.  In the 1986 Act, in—

(a) paragraph 16A(a) of Schedule 1;

(b) Note (3) to that paragraph; and

(c) subparagraph (5B)(a) of paragraph 18 of Schedule 1,

for “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995” in each place where it occurs there shall be substituted “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”.

The Banking Act 1987

13.  In the Banking Act 1987(34), in—

(a) paragraph 11B in the first column of the Table in section 84(1);

(b) section 84(11)(e),

for “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995” there shall be substituted “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”.

Part 2 Subordinate Legislation

The Government Stock Regulations 1965

14.  In the 1965 Regulations—

(a) in regulation 1(3), for “Subject (in the case of stock which is a participating security) to any provision made by or under the 1995 Regulations, in” there shall be substituted “In”;

(b) in regulation 2(1), for “Subject to Regulation 5 of the Stock Transfer (Gilt-edged Securities) (CGO Service) Regulations 1985 and (in the case of stock which is a participating security) any provision made by or under the 1995 Regulations, every” there shall be substituted “Every”;

(c) in regulation 3B(2), for “the register” there shall be substituted—

“(a) a register kept under regulation 1(1) or (1A) hereof; or

(b) a register kept by the Operator of a relevant system under the 2001 Regulations,”;

(d) in regulation 4(35)—

(i) the words “and Regulation 4B” shall be omitted from paragraph (1);

(ii) after paragraph (4) there shall be inserted—

“(5) Units of stock which are recorded on a register kept by the Operator of a relevant system under the 2001 Regulations shall be transferable in no other manner than by means of that system in accordance with those Regulations.

(6) A strip shall be transferable in no other manner than by means of a relevant system operated by an Operator in accordance with the 2001 Regulations.”;

(e) in regulation 5, for “Subject (in the case of stock which is a participating security) to any provision made by or under the 1995 Regulations, the” there shall be substituted “The”;

(f) in regulation 10—

(i) for “Subject (in the case of stock which is a participating security) to any provision made by or under the 1995 Regulations, the” there shall be substituted “The”; and

(ii) there shall be omitted the words from “or, in the case of an exempt transfer” to the end;

(g) in regulation 14(6), 15(4) and 16(4)—

(i) there shall be omitted the words “to Regulation 4B and”; and

(ii) for “the 1995 Regulations” there shall be substituted “the 2001 Regulations”;

(h) in regulation 23(1), for ““the 1995 Regulations” means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995 as amended from time to time;” there shall be substituted ““the 2001 Regulations” means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 as amended from time to time;”;

(i) in regulation 23(1), the definitions of “the CGO Service”; “CGO Service member”; and “an exempt transfer” shall be omitted; and

(j) in regulation 23(1A), for “the 1995 Regulations” there shall be substituted “the 2001 Regulations”.

The Local Authority (Stocks and Bonds) Regulations 1974

15.  In the 1974 Regulations—

(a) in regulation 1(3)—

(i) for ““the 1995 Regulations” means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995 as amended from time to time;” there shall be substituted ““the 2001 Regulations” means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 as amended from time to time;”; and

(ii) the definitions of “the CGO Service”; “CGO Service member”; “the CGO Service Regulations”; and “exempt transfer” shall be omitted;

(b) in regulation 6(1), for “Subject to regulation 6A below the” there shall be substituted “The”;

(c) in regulation 7—

(i) in paragraph (1)(a), for “paragraph (5)” there shall be substituted “paragraph (1A)”;

(ii) after paragraph (1) there shall be inserted as a new paragraph—

“(1A) Units of stock, or of bonds, which are recorded on a register kept by the Operator of a relevant system under the 2001 Regulations shall be transferable in no other manner than by means of that system in accordance with those Regulations.”; and

(iii) in paragraph (3), there shall be omitted “and any record of a transfer effected through the medium of the CGO Service,” and “or, as the case may be, the exempt transfer”; and

(d) in regulation 13(2)—

(i) for “Subject (in the case of stock or a bond which is a participating security) to any provision made by or under the 1995 Regulations, the” there shall be substituted “The”; and

(ii) there shall be omitted the words from “or, in the case of an exempt transfer” to the end.

The Exchange of Securities (General) Rules 1979

16.  In the Exchange of Securities (General) Rules 1979(36)—

(a) in rule 3, the definitions of “the CGO Service”; “CGO Service member”; and “an exempt transfer” shall be omitted; and

(b) in rule 6—

(i) for paragraph (1A) there shall be substituted—

“(1A) Where the acceptance relates to a holding of uncertificated units of a security and at the time of acceptance that holding is transferable by means of a relevant system in accordance with the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 as amended from time to time—

(a) paragraph (1)(c) of this Rule shall not apply, and

(b) the acceptance may be made by such means of electronic communication, and subject to such conditions, as the Treasury may approve for that purpose.”; and

(ii) there shall be inserted as a new paragraph after paragraph (1A)—

“(1B) In paragraph (1A), the expressions “uncertificated units of a security” and “relevant system” shall have the same meanings as they have in the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001.”.

The Companies (Registers and other Records) Regulations 1985

17.  In the Companies (Registers and other Records) Regulations 1985(37)—

(a) in regulation 1—

(i) in paragraph (2), at the end of the definition of “register” there shall be inserted “or regulation 20 of the 2001 Regulations”; and

(ii) at the end of paragraph (2) there shall be inserted—

““the 2001 Regulations” means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001; and expressions defined in the 2001 Regulations shall have the same meaning in these Regulations.”;

(b) at the end of regulation 2 there shall be inserted as new paragraphs—

“(5) This regulation applies with respect to an issuer of register members and a record of uncertificated shares which is kept by a company by recording the matters in question otherwise than in legible form—

(a) as it applies to a register of members under the Act which is kept in like fashion; and

(b) as if references to the Act were references to the 2001 Regulations.

(6) This Regulation applies with respect to an index kept by virtue of paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 to the 2001 Regulations which is kept by a company by recording the matters in question otherwise than in legible form—

(a) as it applies to an index of a register of members under the Act which is kept in like fashion; and

(b) as if references to the Act were references to the 2001 Regulations.”;

(c) at the end of regulation 3 there shall be inserted as a new paragraph—

“(6) In the case of a company which is a participating issuer, references in this regulation to the register of members shall be taken to be a reference to the company’s issuer register of members and record of uncertificated shares.”; and

(d) in regulation 6—

(i) in paragraph (1), after “the Act” there shall be inserted “or the 2001 Regulations”; and

(ii) after paragraph (2) there shall be inserted as a new paragraph—

“(2A) In the case of a company which is a participating issuer, paragraph (2) shall apply as if—

(a) references to the register of members were references to the company’s issuer register of members and record of uncertificated shares; and

(b) the reference to the index of the register of members were a reference to an index kept by virtue of paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 to the 2001 Regulations.”.

The Stamp Duty Reserve Tax Regulations 1986

18.  In the Stamp Duty Reserve Tax Regulations 1986(38), in the definition of “the Treasury Regulations” in regulation 2, for “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995” there shall be substituted “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”.

The Companies (Registers and other Records) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986

19.  In the Companies (Registers and other Records) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1986 (39)—

(a) in regulation 1—

(i) at the end of the definition of “register” in paragraph (2) there shall be inserted “or regulation 20 of the 2001 Regulations”; and

(ii) at the end of paragraph (2) there shall be inserted—

““the 2001 Regulations” means the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001; and expressions defined in the 2001 Regulations shall have the same meaning in these Regulations.”;

(b) at the end of regulation 3 there shall be inserted as new paragraphs—

“(5) This Regulation applies with respect to an issuer register of members and a record of uncertificated shares which is kept by a company by recording the matters in question otherwise than in legible form—

(a) as it applies to a register of members under the Order which is kept in like fashion; and

(b) as if references to the Order were references to the 2001 Regulations.

(6) This Regulation applies with respect to an index kept by virtue of paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 to the 2001 Regulations which is kept by a company by recording the matters in question otherwise than in legible form—

(a) as it applies to an index of a register of members under the Order which is kept in like fashion; and

(b) as if references to the Order were references to the 2001 Regulations.”;

(c) at the end of regulation 4 there shall be inserted as a new paragraph—

“(6) In the case of a company which is a participating issuer, references in this regulation to the register of members shall be taken to be a reference to the company’s issuer register of members and record of uncertificated shares.”;

(d) in regulation 7—

(i) in paragraph (1), after “the Order” there shall be inserted “or the 2001 Regulations”; and

(ii) after paragraph (2) there shall be inserted as a new paragraph—

“(2A) In the case of a company which is a participating issuer, paragraph (2) shall apply as if—

(a) references to the register of members were references to the company’s issuer register of members and record of uncertificated shares; and

(b) the reference to the index of the register of members were a reference to an index kept by virtue of paragraph 7 of Schedule 4 to the 2001 Regulations.”.

The Financial Markets and Insolvency Regulations 1996

20.  In the Financial Markets and Insolvency Regulations 1996(40)—

(a) in regulation 2(1)—

(i) in the definition of “register of securities”, for “a register maintained by the issuer, whether by virtue of the 1995 Regulations or otherwise” there shall be substituted “a register, whether maintained by virtue of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 or otherwise”;

(ii) the definition of “the 1995 Regulations” shall be omitted;

(iii) in the definition of “relevant nominee”, for “paragraph 19(d) of Schedule 1 to the 1995 Regulations” there shall be substituted “paragraph 25(f) of Schedule 1 to the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”;

(iv) in the definition of “transfer”, for “the generation of an Operator-instruction requiring a participating issuer to register a system-member on the relevant register of securities as the holder of those units;” there shall be substituted “the registration of a transfer of title to those units in the relevant Operator register of securities;”; and

(v) in the full-out to regulation 2(1), for “the 1995 Regulations” there shall be substituted “the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”;

(b) in regulation 2(2)(a), for “regulation 19 of the 1995 Regulations” there shall be substituted “regulation 20, 21 or 22 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”; and

(c) in regulation 5(a)(ii), for “regulation 25(1)(a) or 25(2)(a) of the 1995 Regulations” there shall be substituted “regulation 31(2)(b) or 31(4)(b) of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”.

The Stock Transfer (Addition and Substitution of Forms) Order 1996

21.  In the Stock Transfer (Addition and Substitution of Forms) Order 1996(41), in paragraph (2) of article 1, for “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995” there shall be substituted “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”.

The Financial Services Act 1986 (Exemption) Order 1996

22.  In the Financial Services Act 1986 (Exemption) Order 1996(42), in paragraph (3) of article 1, for “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995” in both places where it occurs there shall be substituted “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”.

The Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (UK Depository Interests in Foreign Securities) Regulations 1999

23.  In the Stamp Duty Reserve Tax (UK Depository Interests in Foreign Securities) Regulations 1999(43), in the definition of “foreign securities” in regulation 2, for “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995” there shall be substituted “Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001”.

The Open-Ended Investment Companies Regulations 2001

24.  In the Open-Ended Investment Companies Regulations 2001—

(a) in regulation 2(1), the definitions of “certificated form”, “participating issuer”, “participating security”, “uncertificated form” and “uncertificated unit of a security” shall be omitted;

(b) for regulation 50(2) there shall be substituted—

“(2) Paragraph (1) has effect subject to any requirements contained in FSA rules.”; and

(c) in paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 3, the words “Subject to sub-paragraph (2)” shall be omitted.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

1.  These Regulations make provision for the transfer without a written instrument, and the evidencing otherwise than by a certificate, of title to a unit of a security, in accordance with a computer-based system and procedures known as the “relevant system”. The relevant system centres on a person known as the “Operator”. The legal framework underlying the operation of the relevant system, together with the criteria which the Operator and the relevant system must meet, are enshrined in these Regulations.

2.  Regulations 2 and 3 set out the purposes of and definitions used in the Regulations. A unit of a security which may be transferred by means of the relevant system is referred to as an “uncertificated” unit. A security, the units of which may become uncertificated, is referred to as a “participating security”. An issuer who issues a participating security is, in relation to that security, referred to as a “participating issuer”. Instructions sent by means of the relevant system are referred to as “dematerialised instructions”.

3.  Regulations 4 to 13 make provision for the approval of the Operator by the Treasury if it appears to them that he, his rules and any relevant system meet certain criteria specified in Schedule 1. The Regulations give the Treasury certain powers in relation to the Operator if he, his rules or the relevant system, fails to meet the criteria, or if necessary for the performance of their functions under the Regulations. Provision is also made for the delegation by the Treasury of their functions under the Regulations to the Financial Services Authority, which is referred to in the Regulations as the “designated agency” when carrying out functions which have been so delegated. Schedule 2 provides for oversight by the Director General of Fair Trading of the rules and guidance of the Operator to ensure that they do not distort competition. Schedule 3 sets out the procedure to be followed before refusing or withdrawing approval as an Operator, giving a direction to an Operator, or exercising certain powers under Schedule 2.

4.  Regulations 14 to 19 set out the conditions on which issuers may allow securities issued by them to become participating securities and hence to be held in uncertificated form and transferred by means of the relevant system. Provision is made for a class of shares governed by articles of association which are in all respects consistent with the Regulations to become a participating security. Provision is also made for the directors of a company to pass a “directors' resolution” so that other classes of shares can become participating securities notwithstanding any contrary provisions in the articles of association, and for the members of the company to prevent or reverse a directors' resolution. Conditions are specified for securities other than shares to become participating securities. Transitional provision is made in respect of securities which were participating securities for the purposes of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995. The 1995 Regulations are superseded by these Regulations.

5.  Regulations 20 to 26 (together with Schedule 4) make provision for the keeping of “registers of securities” and “records of securities” in respect of participating securities. In particular, provision is made for the keeping by the Operator of registers recording persons holding uncertificated units of a participating security, and for the legal effect of entries on the registers which the Regulations require to be kept. Provision is also made in respect to the rectification or closing of such registers.

6.  Regulations 27 to 30 make provision for the registration of transfers of title to units of a participating security. Provision is made for registration by the Operator of a transfer of title to an uncertificated unit of a security in certain circumstances (in particular, upon settlement of the transfer in accordance with the Operator’s rules). Provision is also made for a participating issuer, subject to a number of exceptions, to register the transfer of title to a relevant unit of a security following an Operator-instruction to do so. Further provision is made to allow the Operator to register two or more transfers of uncertificated units of a security on a net basis, or simultaneously, in certain circumstances.

7.  Regulation 31 applies in a case in which, as a consequence of a transfer of a unit of a participating security, that unit ceases to be held in uncertificated form, so that the transfer of title to the unit is therefore required to be registered on a register of securities kept by the participating issuer. Provision is made for the transferee to acquire a property right in such units of a security before his name appears on the register of securities kept by the participating issuer. Other than in the case of Scottish securities, the transferee acquires an equitable interest in a number of units calculated in accordance with the regulation. In relation to Scottish securities, the transferor is deemed to hold on trust for the transferee a number of units which is calculated in the same way.

8.  Regulations 32 to 34 make provision for the conversion of units of a participating security between certificated and uncertificated form, and for the issue of new units of a participating security in uncertificated form.

9.  Regulation 35 prevents persons who send certain dematerialised instructions, and persons on whose behalf they are sent, from denying particular matters relating to the instructions. It also makes provision for persons receiving such instructions to accept, with certain exceptions, that the information contained in them and matters relating to them are correct.

10.  Regulation 36 provides that the Operator is liable, in certain circumstances, if a person suffers loss as a result of the sending of certain dematerialised instructions, or the making of certain amendments to a register of securities kept by the Operator.

11.  Regulations 37 and 38 amend certain references in enactments and rules of law, and disapply certain formalities and requirements.

12.  Regulation 39 preserves the Operator’s right to charge for carrying out functions under these Regulations, other than charging a participating issuer for maintaining an Operator register of securities.

13.  Regulation 40 makes provision for trustees and personal representatives to use a relevant system and for debentures to be held in uncertificated form and transferred by means of a relevant system.

14.  Regulation 41 makes provision for giving notices of meetings and for sending copies of certain documents.

15.  Regulations 42 and 43 make provision relating to take-overs of companies with shares held in uncertificated form.

16.  Regulation 44 makes provision as to the determination of actual notice of a fact, matter or thing for the purposes of the Regulations.

17.  Regulation 45 provides that certain obligations to which the Regulations would otherwise give rise do not arise in the case of a wholly dematerialised security as defined in regulation 3(1).

18.  Regulations 46 to 48 makes provision as to liability for defaults and contraventions. Provision is made for participating issuers to be liable for breach of statutory duty for contravening certain regulations, and for the liability of officers of participating issuers and the Operator in respect of certain contraventions. Provision is also made for certain exemptions from liability.

19.  Regulation 49 and Schedule 5 adapt the Regulations as they apply to Northern Ireland.

20.  Regulation 50 gives effect to Schedule 6, which sets out the modified form in which certain provisions of the Regulations will take effect before the main provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 come into force.

21.  Regulation 51 gives effect to Schedule 7 which makes minor and consequential amendments to certain enactments.

22.  Regulation 52 revokes certain enactments, including the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 1995.

(1)

1989 c. 40; section 207 was amended by the Bank of England Act 1998 (c. 11), section 35.

(2)

By the Transfer of Functions (Financial Services) Order 1992 (S.I. 1992/1315).

(3)

1985 c. 6.

(4)

1986 c. 60.

(5)

2000 c. 8.

(6)

S.I. 1986/1032 (N.I. 6).

(7)

S.I. 1965/1420; amended by S.I. 1981/1004; S.I. 1982/670; S.I. 1985/1146; S.I. 1990/2253; S.I. 1997/1709; S.I. 1998/1749; S.I. 1999/1410 and S.I. 2000/1681.

(8)

S.I. 1974/519; amended by S.I. 1983/529; S.I. 1985/1148; S.I. 1986/345; S.I. 1990/419; S.I. 1991/2000; S.I. 1999/1409 and S.I. 2000/1680.

(9)

S.I. 1995/3272; amended by S.I. 1996/2827; S.I. 1997/251; S.I. 1999/506; S.I. 2000/311; S.I. 2000/1682 and S.I. 2000/2952.

(10)

1978 c. 30.

(11)

1993 c. 36.

(12)

1942 c. 21; section 47(1B) was inserted by the Finance Act 1996 (c. 8), section 202(2).

(13)

1988 c. 36.

(14)

1971 c. 27.

(15)

1982 c. 41.

(16)

1695 c. 12 (Ir).

(17)

1978 c. 23.

(18)

1971 c. 33 (N.I.).

(19)

S.R. (N.I.) 1993 No. 66.

(20)

S.I. 2001/1228.

(21)

S.I. 1996/1469.

(22)

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20th March 2000 relating to the taking up and pursuit of the business of credit institutions (O.J. No. L 126, 26.5.2000, p. 1).

(23)

1973 c. 41.

(24)

1998 c. 41.

(25)

S.I. 1991/1998.

(26)

42 & 43 Vict c. 11.

(27)

Article 198 was substituted by Article 65(6) of, and paragraph 6 of Schedule 4 to, the Companies (No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (S.I. 1990/1504 (N.I. 10)). Article 217 was substituted by regulation 8 of the Disclosure of Interests in Shares (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 (S.R. (N.I.) 1994 No. 2) and further amended by regulation 2 of the Disclosure of Interests in Shares (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996 (S.R. (N.I.) 1996 No. 246) and regulation 75 of, and paragraph 5 of Part I of Schedule 8 to, the Open-Ended Investment Companies (Investment Companies with Variable Capital) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1997 (S.R. (N.I.) 1997 No. 251). Article 246 was inserted by article 9 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (S.I. 1990/593 (N.I. 5)). Article 360A was inserted by regulation 2(1)(b) of, and paragraph 4 of the Schedule to, the Companies (Single Member Private Companies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 (S.R. (N.I.) 1992 No. 405). Articles 421, 422 and 423 were substituted by Article 26 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/204 (N.I. 18)). Article 423D was inserted by Article 26 of the Companies (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 (S.I. 1989/204 (N.I. 18)). Paragraph 24 of Schedule 13 was amended by articles 77(10) and 113 of, and Schedule 6 to, the Companies (No. 2) (Northern Ireland) Order 1990 (S.I. 1990/1504 (N.I. 10)).

(28)

1870 c. 71.

(29)

1892 c. 39; section 2 was substituted by section 108(1) of the Finance Act 1997 (c. 16).

(30)

1915 c. 89; the relevant amendment to section 48 was made by section 108(1) of the Post Office Act 1969 (c. 48).

(31)

1916 c. 24; section 67 was amended by section 108(1) of the Post Office Act 1969.

(32)

1949 c. 47.

(33)

1975 c. 45.

(34)

1987 c. 22; relevant amending instrument is S.I. 1996/1669.

(35)

Paragraph (1) of regulation 4 was numbered as such by article 2 of S.I. 1981/1004 and amended by regulation 4 of S.I. 1985/1146 and regulation 2 of S.I. 2000/1681; paragraphs (2) to (4) of regulation 4 were inserted by article 2 of S.I. 1981/1004, regulation 4 of S.I. 1985/1146 and regulation 4 of S.I. 1997/1709 respectively.

(36)

S.I. 1979/1678; relevant amending instruments are S.I. 1985/1147; S.I. 1998/2505; S.I. 1999/1207 and S.I. 2000/1516.

(37)

S.I. 1985/724.

(38)

S.I. 1986/1711; relevant amending instrument is S.I. 1997/2430.

(39)

S.R. (N.I.) 1986 No. 306.

(40)

S.I. 1996/1469.

(41)

S.I. 1996/1571.

(42)

S.I. 1996/1587.

(43)

S.I. 1999/2383.