- Latest available (Revised)
- Original (As enacted)
Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, Cross Heading: Interpretative provisions is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 13 October 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.![]()
Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the legislation in the affected provisions. Use the ‘more’ link to open the changes and effects relevant to the provision you are viewing.
Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 102A-103 substituted for s. 103 (1.7.2005) by The Prospectus Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1433), reg. 2(1), Sch. 1 para. 11
(1)This section applies for the purposes of this Part.
(2)“Securities” means (except in section 74(2) and the expression “transferable securities”) anything which has been, or may be, admitted to the official list.
(3)“Transferable securities” means anything which is a transferable security for the purposes of [F2the markets in financial instruments [F3regulation]], other than money-market instruments for the purposes of that [F3regulation] which have a maturity of less than 12 months.
[F4(3A)“Debt securities” means bonds or other forms of transferable securitised debts, with the exception of—
(a)transferable securities which are equivalent to shares, and
(b)transferable securities which, if converted or if the rights conferred by them are exercised, give rise to a right to acquire—
(i)shares, or
(ii)transferable securities equivalent to shares.]
[F5(4)“Financial instrument” [F6means those instruments specified in Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001].]
[F7(5)“Non-equity transferable securities” means all transferable securities that are not equity securities; and for this purpose the following are “equity securities”—
(a)shares,
(b)other transferable securities which are equivalent to shares, and
(c)transferable securities which—
(i)are within neither of paragraphs (a) and (b),
(ii)give the right to acquire securities within paragraph (a) or (b) if converted or if the rights conferred by them are exercised, and
(iii)are issued by the issuer of the underlying shares or by an entity belonging to the group of that issuer.]
(6)“Issuer”—
F8(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F9(aa)in relation to transparency rules, means a F10... person whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market or whose voting shares are admitted to trading on a UK market other than a regulated market, and in the case of depository receipts [F11admitted to trading on a regulated market, the issuer is the issuer of the securities represented by the depository receipt, whether or not those securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market];]
(b)in relation to anything else which is or may be admitted to the official list, has such meaning as may be prescribed by the Treasury, and
(c)in any other case, means a person who issues financial instruments.
Textual Amendments
F2Words in s. 102A(3) substituted (29.6.2017 for specified purposes, 3.7.2017 for specified purposes, 31.7.2017 for specified purposes, 3.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/701), reg. 1(2)(3)(4)(6), Sch. 2 para. 7(2) (with reg. 7)
F3Word in s. 102A(3) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Official Listing of Securities, Prospectus and Transparency (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/707), regs. 1(2), 33(2) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1234, regs. 1(3), 29(2))); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F4S. 102A(3A) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Official Listing of Securities, Prospectus and Transparency (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/707), regs. 1(2), 33(3) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1234, regs. 1(3), 29(2))); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F5S. 102A(4) substituted (3.7.2016) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Market Abuse) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/680), regs. 1, 8(6)
F6Words in s. 102A(4) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Official Listing of Securities, Prospectus and Transparency (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/707), regs. 1(2), 33(4) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1234, regs. 1(3), 29(2))); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F7S. 102A(5) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Official Listing of Securities, Prospectus and Transparency (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/707), regs. 1(2), 33(5) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1234, regs. 1(3), 29(2))); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F8S. 102A(6)(a) omitted (30.1.2024 for specified purposes, 19.1.2026 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/105), reg. 2(2)(3), Sch. 3 para. 12 (with regs. 48-50); S.I. 2025/1078, reg. 5(b) (with reg. 12)
F9S. 102A(6)(aa) inserted (8.11.2006) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1272, 1300(1)(a), Sch. 15 para. 10(4)
F10Word in s. 102A(6)(aa) omitted (1.11.2015 for specified purposes, 26.11.2015 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Transparency Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1755), regs. 1(2)(3), 5(1)(a)
F11Words in s. 102A(6)(aa) substituted (1.11.2015 for specified purposes, 26.11.2015 in so far as not already in force) by The Transparency Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1755), regs. 1(2)(3), 5(1)(b)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F12S. 102B omitted (30.1.2024 for specified purposes, 19.1.2026 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/105), reg. 2(2)(3), Sch. 3 para. 13 (with regs. 48-50); S.I. 2025/1078, reg. 5(b) (with reg. 12)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Textual Amendments
F13S. 102C omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Official Listing of Securities, Prospectus and Transparency (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/707), regs. 1(2), 35 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1234, regs. 1(3), 29(2))); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
(1)In this Part, save where the context otherwise requires—
F14...
F14...
“listed securities” means anything which has been admitted to the official list;
“listing” has the meaning given in section 74(5);
“listing particulars” has the meaning given in section 79(2);
“listing rules” has the meaning given in section 73A;
“market operator” means a person who manages or operates the business of a regulated market;
F15...
“the official list” means the list maintained by the [F16FCA] as that list has effect for the time being;
“Part 6 rules” has the meaning given in section 73A;
F17...
F15...
F15...
[F18“qualifying transparency legislation” has the meaning given in section 89K(5A);]
[F19“regulated market” (except in section 102B and Schedule 10A) means a UK regulated market, as defined in Article 2(1)(13A) of the markets in financial instruments regulation;]
F15...
[F20“the transparency obligations directive” means Directive 2004/109/ EC of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to the harmonisation of transparency requirements in relation to information about issuers whose securities are admitted to trading on a regulated market [F21 as amended by Directive 2010/73/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 and by Directive 2010/78/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010] [F22and by Directive 2013/50/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2013];]
[F23“transparency rules” has the meaning given by section 89A(5);
“voteholder information” has the meaning given by section 89B(3);]
[F24 “working day” means any day other that a Saturday, a Sunday, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a day which is a bank holiday under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (c. 80) in any part of the United Kingdom.]
F25(1A). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F26(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F26(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]
Editorial Information
X1The insertion of the new heading "Interpretative provisions" in Pt. VI on 1.7.2005 gives rise to a change in the structure of this legislation on SLD which breaks the continuity of historical versions of the existing provisions which are now brought under that new heading.
Textual Amendments
F14Words in s. 103(1) omitted (3.7.2016) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Market Abuse) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/680), regs. 1, 8(9)
F15Words in s. 103(1) omitted (30.1.2024 for specified purposes, 19.1.2026 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/105), reg. 2(2)(3), Sch. 3 para. 14 (with regs. 48-50); S.I. 2025/1078, reg. 5(b) (with reg. 12)
F16Words in s. 103(1) substituted (24.1.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), ss. 16(2)(3)(i), 122(3) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/113, art. 2(1)(c), Sch. Pt. 3; S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.
F17Words in s. 103(1) omitted (21.7.2019) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Prospectus) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1043), regs. 1(1), 32(a) (with reg. 40)
F18Words in s. 103(1) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Official Listing of Securities, Prospectus and Transparency (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/707), regs. 1(2), 36(a) (as amended by virtue of S.I. 2019/1234, regs. 1(2), 19) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1234, regs. 1(3), 29(2))); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F19Words in s. 103(1) substituted (31.12.2020) by The Official Listing of Securities, Prospectus and Transparency (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/707), regs. 1(2), 36(b) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11 (as amended by S.I. 2019/1234, regs. 1(3), 29(2))); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
F20S. 103(1): entry inserted (8.11.2006) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1265, 1300(1)(a)
F21Words in s. 103 inserted (1.7.2012) by The Prospectus Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/1538), regs. 1(1), 9(b)
F22Words in s. 103(1) inserted (1.11.2015 for specified purposes, 26.11.2015 in so far as not already in force) by The Transparency Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1755), regs. 1(2)(3), 5(3)(a)(ii)
F23S. 103(1): entries inserted (8.11.2006) by Companies Act 2006 (c. 46), ss. 1272, 1300(1)(a), Sch. 15 para. 11(3)
F24Words in s. 103(1) omitted (30.1.2024 for specified purposes) by virtue of The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/105), reg. 2(2)(3), Sch. 3 para. 14 (with regs. 48-50)
F25S. 103(1A) omitted (1.11.2015 for specified purposes, 26.11.2015 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of The Transparency Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1755), regs. 1(2)(3), 5(3)(b)
F26S. 103(2)(3) omitted (24.1.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2013 in so far as not already in force) by virtue of Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), ss. 16(14)(g), 122(3) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/113, art. 2(1)(c), Sch. Pt. 3; S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1S. 103(1) modified (6.6.2014) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Transparency) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/1261), regs. 1(1), 2
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Whole Act without Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
The Schedules you have selected contains over 200 provisions and might take some time to download. You may also experience some issues with your browser, such as an alert box that a script is taking a long time to run.
Would you like to continue?
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Text created by the government department responsible for the subject matter of the Act to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Public Acts except Appropriation, Consolidated Fund, Finance and Consolidation Acts.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: