Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 Explanatory Notes

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000

2000 CHAPTER 8

Commentary on Sections

Part V: Performance of Regulated Activities

Section 56: Prohibition orders

134. This section enables the Authority to make an order prohibiting any individual whom it considers is not fit and proper to perform functions in connection with regulated activities.  A prohibition may relate to all functions in relation to any regulated activities carried on by all authorised (or exempt) persons or it can specify the kind of functions, activities or authorised (or exempt) persons to which it relates.  A prohibition order may be varied or revoked.

135. Subsection (4) makes it an offence for an individual not to comply with a prohibition order.  The maximum penalty for this offence is a fine at level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5,000).  There is, however, a defence under subsection (5) for a person who can show that he took all reasonable precautions and exercised all due diligence to avoid committing the offence.

136. Subsection (6) imposes an obligation on an authorised person to take reasonable care not to engage individuals who have been disqualified under this section from performing relevant functions.  Failure to comply with this requirement could trigger the use of the Authority’s powers to amend the authorised person’s permission or discipline the firm.  It also potentially gives rise to a cause of action under section 71 from a private person who suffers a loss as a consequence of the breach.

137. Subsection (8) enables a prohibition order to be issued preventing an individual from performing functions in relation to a regulated activity carried on by an exempt person or a person to whom section 327(1) applies, that is by members of a profession or persons controlled or managed by members of a profession, who benefit from the exemption from the general prohibition under Part XX.