F41PART 6Marketing of AIFs
CHAPTER 1General Provisions
References in this Part to an AIFM or an investment firm marketing an AIF45
For the purposes of this Part—
a
an AIFM markets an AIF when the AIFM makes a direct or indirect offering or placement of units or shares of an AIF managed by it to or with an investor domiciled or with a registered office in F28the United Kingdom or Gibraltar, or when another person makes such an offering or placement at the initiative of, or on behalf of, the AIFM;
b
an investment firm markets an AIF when it makes a direct or indirect offering or placement of units or shares of the AIF to or with an investor domiciled or with a registered office in F28the United Kingdom or Gibraltar at the initiative of, or on behalf of, the AIFM of that AIF.
Application of the financial promotion and scheme promotion restrictions46
Where a person may market an AIF under regulation 49, 50 or 51—
a
to the extent that such marketing falls within section 21(1) (restrictions on financial promotion) or 238(1) (restrictions on promotion) of the Act, the person may market the AIF to a retail investor only if the person does so without breaching the restriction in that section;
b
to the extent that any activity falling within section 21(1) or 238(1) of the Act does not amount to marketing by an AIFM or an investment firm for the purposes of this Part, the restriction in that section applies to the person.
Marketing at the initiative of the investor47
Regulations 49 to 51 do not apply to an offering or placement of units or shares of an AIF to an investor made at the initiative of that investor.
Marketing under the designation F33'SEF’ or ‘RVECA'48
Marketing by full-scope F14Gibraltar AIFMs of certain AIFs49
F161
A full-scope F17Gibraltar AIFM may not market in the United Kingdom an AIF that does not fall within regulation 57(1) unless—
a
in the case of marketing to a professional investor, the FCA has received a regulator's notice in relation to the marketing of the AIF in accordance with Schedule 3 to the Act F18...; or
b
in the case of marketing to a retail investor—
i
the FCA has received a regulator's notice in relation to the marketing of the AIF in accordance with Schedule 3 to the Act; or
ii
the FCA has approved the marketing in accordance with regulation 54 and has not suspended or revoked that approval.
F152
References in this regulation to Schedule 3 to the Act are to that Schedule as it applies in relation to Gibraltar AIFMs and Gibraltar AIFs.
Marketing by AIFMs of other AIFs50
An AIFM described in column A of the table below may not market in the United Kingdom an AIF that is described in the entry in column B of same row of the table unless the condition in column C in the same row of the table is met.
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Marketing of AIFs by investment firms51
Where regulation 49 or 50 requires a condition to be met before an AIFM may market an AIF, an investment firm may not market that AIF unless that condition is met.
Contravention by unauthorised person52
1
In this regulation “unlawful marketing” means the marketing of an AIF—
a
by an AIFM or an investment firm that is not an authorised person in contravention of regulation 49, 50 or 51; or
b
by an AIFM that is not an authorised person in contravention of a provision of the EuSEF Regulation or the EuVECA Regulation.
F42c
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Subject to paragraph (3), section 25 of the Act (contravention of section 21) applies to unlawful marketing as it applies to the contravention of section 21(1) of the Act.
3
When applied by paragraph (2), the reference in section 25(1)(a) to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months is to be read as a reference to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.
4
Section 168 of the Act (appointment of persons to carry out investigations in particular cases) applies as if the reference at subsection (2)(c) to a contravention of section 21 of the Act included reference to unlawful marketing.
5
Section 30 of the Act (enforceability of agreements resulting from unlawful communications) applies in relation to—
a
controlled agreements entered into in consequence of unlawful marketing, as it applies in relation to controlled agreements entered into in consequence of an unlawful communication; and
b
the exercise of rights conferred by a controlled investment in consequence of unlawful marketing, as it applies in relation to the exercise of such rights in consequence of an unlawful communication.
Contravention by authorised person53
1
In this regulation “unlawful marketing” means the marketing of an AIF—
a
by an authorised person that is an AIFM or an investment firm in contravention of regulation 49, 50 or 51; or
b
by an authorised person that is an AIFM in contravention of a provision of the EuSEF Regulation or the EuVECA Regulation.
F43c
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
Unlawful marketing is actionable at the suit of a private person who suffers loss as a result of such marketing, subject to the defences and other incidents applying to actions for breach of statutory duty.
3
Section 168 of the Act (appointment of persons to carry out investigations in particular cases) applies as if the reference at subsection (2)(c) to a contravention of section 238 of the Act included reference to unlawful marketing.
CHAPTER 2Marketing of AIFs by full-scope AIFMs
FCA approval for marketing54
1
This regulation applies to—
a
a full-scope UK AIFM seeking to market an AIF managed by the AIFM that does not fall within regulation 57(1);
b
a full-scope F9Gibraltar AIFM, seeking to market to retail investors an AIF managed by the AIFM—
i
that does not fall within regulation 57(1); and
2
The AIFM must—
a
apply to the FCA for approval in such manner as the FCA may direct; and
b
provide such information as the FCA may reasonably require for the purpose of determining the application.
3
The FCA must determine an application by a full-scope UK AIFM, in so far as that application is for approval to market to professional investors, within 20 working days of receipt of a completed application.
4
The FCA must determine an application by a full-scope F12Gibraltar AIFM, or an application by a full scope UK AIFM in so far as that application is for approval to market to retail investors—
a
if the application relates to an AIF in respect of which the AIFM has made an application for authorisation under section 242 or 261C of the Act or under regulation 12 of the Open-Ended Investment Companies Regulations 2001 M1, or for recognition under section 272 of the Act—
i
before the end of the period for determining that application for authorisation or recognition; or
ii
if later, within 20 working days of receipt of the completed application under this regulation;
b
otherwise, within 20 working days of receipt of the completed application under this regulation.
5
If the FCA approves the application, it must inform—
a
the AIFM concerned; and
F13b
where the AIF concerned is a Gibraltar AIF, the Financial Services Commission of Gibraltar.
6
If the FCA proposes to refuse the application, it must give written notice to the AIFM concerned, stating the reasons for the proposed refusal.
7
If the FCA decides to refuse the application—
a
it must give written notice to the AIFM concerned, informing the AIFM of its right to refer the matter to the Tribunal; and
b
the AIFM may refer the matter to the Tribunal.
8
The FCA may refuse an application if it appears to the FCA that the AIFM does not or is unlikely to comply with an implementing provision that applies to it, or would apply to it if the application were approved.
Change to information provided with application55
1
If there is a material change to the information mentioned in regulation 54(2)(b), the AIFM must give written notice of the change to the FCA—
a
in the case of a change planned by the AIFM (“planned change”), at least one month before implementing the change; or
b
in other cases, as soon as reasonably practicable and, at the latest, immediately after an unplanned change has occurred.
2
If a planned change would mean the AIFM no longer complied with an implementing provision applicable to it, the FCA must inform the AIFM without undue delay that it must not implement the change.
3
If—
a
a planned change is implemented, or
b
an unplanned change takes place,
as a result of which the AIFM no longer complies with an implementing provision that applies to it, the FCA must take steps to ensure that the AIFM complies with that implementing provision or ceases to market the AIF.
4
The FCA may use its powers under section 55J and 55L of the Act (variation or cancellation on initiative of regulator and imposition of requirement by the FCA) or the power applied by regulation 56 in taking the steps mentioned in paragraph (3), but this paragraph does not limit the powers of the FCA.
Suspension or revocation of approval granted to a full-scope F30Gibraltar AIFM56
If the FCA has approved marketing by a full-scope F30Gibraltar AIFM under regulation 54, regulations 62 to 64 apply in relation to that approval as they apply in relation to an entitlement to market an AIF following a notification under regulation 57, 58 or 59, but with the following modifications—
a
references to a notification under regulation 57, 58 or 59 are to be read as references to an application under regulation 54;
b
references to an entitlement to market are to be read as references to an approval to market;
c
references to an Article 36 custodian are to be omitted; and
d
regulations 62(1)(c) and 63(2)(c) are to be omitted.
CHAPTER 3National Private Placement
F1Marketing of third country AIFs managed by full-scope UK AIFMs57
1
An AIF falls within this paragraph if it is—
a
a third country AIF, or
b
a UK AIF or F36a Gibraltar AIF that is a feeder AIF, the master AIF of which is either managed by a third country AIFM or is a third country AIF, and
managed by an AIFM falling within paragraph (2).
F371A
An AIF does not fall within paragraph (1) if it is recognised under section 271A of the Act.
2
An AIFM falls within this paragraph if it is—
a
a full-scope UK AIFM; or
b
a full-scope F3Gibraltar AIFM.
3
An AIFM falling within paragraph (2) must give written notification to the FCA before marketing an AIF managed by it that falls within paragraph (1).
4
The notification must include a statement confirming that the following conditions are met—
a
subject to paragraph (5), the AIFM complies with the requirements of F4the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, these Regulations, any EU tertiary legislation made under the directive which forms part of retained EU law and rules made by the FCA;
b
appropriate cooperation arrangements for the purpose of systemic risk oversight and in line with international standards are in place between the FCA (in the case of a UK AIFM) or F5the Financial Services Commission of Gibraltar (in the case of a Gibraltar AIFM), and the supervisory authorities of the relevant third country, in order to ensure an efficient exchange of information that enables the FCA F6or the Financial Services Commission of Gibraltar to carry out its duties in accordance with F7these Regulations or the Financial Services (Alternative Investment Fund Managers) Regulations 2013 of Gibraltar;
c
the relevant third country is not listed as a Non-Cooperative Country and Territory by the Financial Action Task Force.
5
The AIFM need not comply with the requirements of F2section 3.11 of the Investment Funds sourcebook, and regulations 29 to 32 of these Regulations, provided that the AIFM—
a
ensures that one or more entities, other than the AIFM, are appointed to carry out the duties mentioned in F8rules 3.11.4(2), 3.11.20, 3.11.21, 3.11.23 and 3.11.25 of the Investment Funds sourcebook (a “third country AIF custodian”); and
b
informs the FCA about the identity of such entities.
6
In this regulation, “the relevant third country” means—
a
in the case of a third country AIF, the country where the AIF is established; and
b
in a case falling within paragraph (1)(b), the country where the master AIF is established.
Marketing of AIFs managed by small third country AIFMs58
1
A small third country AIFM must give written notification to the FCA before marketing an AIF managed by it F38, except where the AIF is recognised under section 271A of the Act.
2
The notification must include a statement confirming that the following conditions are met—
a
the AIFM is the person responsible for complying with the implementing provisions relating to the marketing of the AIF; and
b
the AIFM is a small third country AIFM.
3
The AIFM must provide the FCA with such information as the FCA directs on—
a
the main instruments in which the AIFM trades, and
b
the principal exposures and most important concentrations of the AIFs that it manages,
in order to enable the FCA to monitor systemic risk effectively.
4
The FCA may not give a direction under paragraph (3) that requires an AIFM to provide information—
a
if an investor's acquisition of units or shares of the AIF results from marketing that is permitted because of the notification, after the date on which the final such investor disposes of such units or shares; or
b
if there is no acquisition of units or shares of the AIF resulting from such marketing, after the date on which the AIFM ceases marketing the AIF.
Marketing F19of AIFs managed by other third country AIFMs59
1
A third country AIFM that is not a small AIFM must give written notification to the FCA before marketing an AIF managed by it F39, except where the AIF is recognised under section 271A of the Act
.
2
F21Subject to paragraph (4A), the notification must include a statement confirming that the following conditions are met—
a
the AIFM is the person responsible for complying with the implementing provisions relating to the marketing of the AIF;
b
the AIFM complies with the requirements of F22sections 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4 of the Investment Funds sourcebook in so far as such provisions are relevant to the AIFM and the AIF to be marketed;
c
if applicable, the AIFM complies with Part 5 in relation to the AIF to be marketed;
d
appropriate cooperation arrangements for the purpose of systemic risk oversight and in line with international standards are in place between—
i
the FCA and, if applicable, F23the Financial Services Commission of Gibraltar, and
ii
the supervisory authorities of the country where the third country AIFM is established and, if applicable, of the third country where the AIF is established,
in order to ensure an efficient exchange of information that enables the FCA F24to carry out its duties in accordance with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, these Regulations, any EU tertiary legislation made under the directive which forms part of retained EU law and rules made by the FCA;
e
the country where the third country AIFM and, if applicable, the third country AIF is established is not listed as a Non-Cooperative Country and Territory by the Financial Action Task Force.
3
F25Subject to paragraph (4A), during the period specified in paragraph (4), an AIFM that has given a notification under paragraph (1) in respect of an AIF must comply with—
a
the implementing provisions applicable to full-scope UK AIFMs which relate to the provisions of Articles 22 to 24 of the directive in so far as such provisions are relevant to the AIFM and the AIF; and
b
Part 5 in respect of that AIF (if applicable).
4
F26Subject to paragraph (4A), the period specified in this paragraph starts on the date on which the AIFM gives the notification under paragraph (1) and ends—
a
if an investor's acquisition of units or shares of the AIF results from marketing that is permitted because of the notification, on the date on which the final such investor disposes of such units or shares; or
b
if there is no acquisition of units or shares of the AIF resulting from such marketing, on the date on which the AIFM ceases marketing the AIF.
Manner and content of notifications60
A notification under regulation 57, 58 or 59 must—
a
be made in such manner as the FCA may direct; and
b
contain or be accompanied by such information as the FCA may direct.
Material change to information61
If there is a material change to the information provided in a notification under regulation 57, 58 or 59, the AIFM must give written notice of the change to the FCA—
a
in the case of a change planned by the AIFM (“planned change”), at least one month before implementing the change; or
b
in other cases, immediately after an unplanned change has occurred.
Revocation of entitlement to market62
1
The FCA may revoke an AIFM's entitlement to market an AIF following a notification under regulation 57, 58 or 59 if it appears to the FCA that—
a
the AIFM, or the F29third country AIF custodian of that AIF, has contravened an implementing provision which applies to it;
b
the AIFM, or the F29third country AIF custodian of that AIF, has in purported compliance with an implementing provision, knowingly or recklessly given the FCA information which is false or misleading in a material particular;
c
one or more of the conditions confirmed in the notification as being met is no longer satisfied;
d
the AIF is wound up; or
e
none of sub-paragraphs (a) to (d) applies, but it is undesirable in the interests of investors or potential investors that the AIF should continue to be marketed.
2
If the FCA proposes to revoke an AIFM's entitlement to market an AIF on a ground mentioned in paragraph (1)(a), (b), (c) or (e), it must give a warning notice to the AIFM and, in the case of an entitlement to market following a notification under regulation 57, to the F29third country AIF custodian of that AIF.
3
If the FCA decides to revoke an AIFM's entitlement to market an AIF under paragraph (1)—
a
it must give a decision notice to the AIFM and, in the case of an entitlement to market following a notification under regulation 57, to the F29third country AIF custodian of that AIF; and
b
the AIFM or the F29third country AIF custodian may refer the matter to the Tribunal.
Suspension of entitlement to market63
1
If one of the grounds in paragraph (2) is met, the FCA may suspend any entitlement of an AIFM to market an AIF arising out of a notification under regulation 57, 58 or 59 for a specified period, until the occurrence of a specified event or until specified conditions are complied with.
2
The grounds are that it appears to the FCA that—
a
the AIFM, or the F31third country AIF custodian of that AIF, has contravened, or is likely to contravene, an implementing provision that applies to it;
b
the AIFM, or the F31third country AIF custodian of that AIF, has in purported compliance with an implementing provision, knowingly or recklessly given the FCA information which is false or misleading in a material particular;
c
one or more of the conditions confirmed in the notification as being met is no longer satisfied; or
d
none of paragraphs (a) to (c) applies, but it is undesirable in the interests of investors or potential investors that the AIF should continue to be marketed.
3
In this regulation “specified” means specified by the FCA in a notice given under regulation 64.
Procedure on suspension64
1
A suspension under regulation 63 takes effect—
a
immediately, if the notice given under paragraph (3) states that that is the case;
b
on such date as may be specified in the notice; or
c
if no date is specified in the notice, when the matter to which it relates is no longer open to review.
2
A suspension may be expressed to take effect immediately (or on a specified date) only if the FCA, having regard to the ground on which it is suspending the AIFM's entitlement to market, considers that it is necessary for the suspension to take effect immediately (or on that date).
3
If the FCA proposes to suspend an AIFM's entitlement to market an AIF, or suspends such entitlement with immediate effect—
a
it must give separate written notice to the AIFM and (if applicable) the F32third country AIF custodian of that AIF; and
b
the AIFM or the F32third country AIF custodian may refer the matter to the Tribunal.
4
A notice under paragraph (3)(a) must—
a
give details of the suspension;
b
inform the person to whom it is given of when the suspension takes effect;
c
state the FCA's reasons for giving the suspension and for its determination as to when the suspension takes effect;
d
inform the person to whom it is given that it may make representations to the FCA within such period as may be specified in it (whether or not it has referred the matter to the Tribunal); and
e
inform the person to whom it is given of its right to refer the matter to the Tribunal.
5
The FCA may extend the period allowed under the notice for making representations.
6
Paragraph (7) applies if, having considered any representations made by a person to whom the notice was given, the FCA decides—
a
to make the suspension in the way proposed,
b
to make the suspension in a way other than that proposed, or
c
if it has been made, not to revoke the suspension.
7
If this paragraph applies—
a
the FCA must give separate written notice to the AIFM and (if applicable) the F32third country AIF custodian; and
b
the AIFM or the F32third country AIF custodian may refer the matter to the Tribunal.
8
If, having considered any representations made by a person to whom the notice was given, the FCA decides—
a
not to make the suspension in the way proposed,
b
to revoke a suspension,
it must give separate written notice to the AIFM and (if applicable) the F32third country AIF custodian.
9
For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c), section 391(8) of the Act (publication) applies as if a notice under paragraph (3)(a), (7)(a) or (8) were a supervisory notice.
Regulations revoked (14.12.2023 for the revocation of reg. 79) by Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (c. 29), s. 86(3), Sch. 1 Pt. 2 (with s. 1(4)); S.I. 2023/1382, reg. 2(c)(vi)