Part XI

Information Gathering and Investigations

Appointment of investigators

Appointment of persons to carry out general investigations.
167
1
If it appears to an investigating authority that there is good reason for doing so, the investigating authority may appoint one or more competent persons to conduct an investigation on its behalf into—
a
the nature, conduct or state of the business of a person to whom subsection (1A) applies or an appointed representative;
b
a particular aspect of that business; or
c
the ownership or control of a person to whom subsection (1A) applies.
1A
This subsection applies to the following persons—
a
a recognised investment exchange;
b
an authorised person;
c
a relevant parent undertaking of an FCA investment firm;
d
a person who provides a service to an FCA investment firm or to a relevant parent undertaking of such a firm.
e
a person on whom a relevant Part 5A requirement is imposed.
2
If a person appointed under subsection (1) thinks it necessary for the purposes of his investigation, he may also investigate the business of a person who is or has at any relevant time been—
a
a member of the group of which the person under investigation (“A”) is part; ...
b
a partnership of which A is a member ; or
c
where A is an insurance undertaking
or reinsurance undertaking
, a person who provides services to A.
3
If a person appointed under subsection (1) decides to investigate the business of any person under subsection (2) he must give that person written notice of his decision.
3A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4A
The power conferred by this section may be exercised in relation to a person who has at any time been an authorised person or a person described in subsection (1A)(c)
, (d) or (e)
but only in relation to—
a
business carried on at any time when the person was an authorised person or a person described in subsection (1A)(c)
, (d) or (e)
, or
b
the ownership or control of the person at such a time.
4B
The power conferred by this section may be exercised in relation to a person who has at any time been an appointed representative but only in relation to business carried on at any time when the person was an appointed representative.
5
“Business” includes any part of a business even if it does not consist of carrying on regulated activities.
5A
“Investigating authority” means—
a
in relation to a recognised investment exchange, the Secretary of State or the FCA;
b
in relation to an authorised person or former authorised person, the FCA or the PRA;
c
in relation to an appointed representative or former appointed representative, the FCA or the PRA.
d
in relation to a person who is, or has at any time been, a person described in subsection (1A)(c)
, (d) or (e)
who is not an authorised person, the FCA.
6
References in subsection (1) to a recognised investment exchange do not include references to an overseas investment exchange (as defined by section 313(1)).
Pt. 11 modified (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2657, arts. 1(1), 18(2) (which was revoked (8.10.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 23); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)
Pt. 11 modified (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 18(2)(4); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)
Pt. 11 extended (with modifications) (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3646, arts. 1(1), 6-9
S. 167 modified (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/2657, arts. 1(1), 17 (which was revoked (8.10.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 23); S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)
S. 167 modified (1.12.2001) by S.I. 2001/3083, arts. 1(2), 17; S.I. 2001/3538, art. 2(1)
S. 167 amended (18.7.2002 for certain purposes and 21.8.2002 otherwise) by The Electronic Commerce Directive (Financial Services and Markets) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/1775), regs. 1, 12(3)
S. 167(6) inserted (1.4.2007 for certain purposes and 1.11.2007 otherwise) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 (S.I. 2007/126), regs. 1(2), 3(5), Sch. 5 para. 7(b)
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (1.5.2009 for certain purposes and 1.11.2009 otherwise) by The Payment Services Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/209), regs. 1(2), 95, Sch. 5 para. 3 (with reg. 3) (as amended (1.4.2013) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/472), Sch. 2 para. 155(6)(c) (with Sch. 2 para. 156); and (26.6.2017) by The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/692), reg. 1(2), Sch. 7 para. 24(9) (with regs. 8, 15))
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (11.2.2010) by The Cross-Border Payments in Euro Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/89), reg. 19, Sch. para. 2
S. 167 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2011) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Permissions, Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) (Northern Ireland Credit Unions) Order 2011 (S.I. 2011/2832), art. 9
S. 167(4A)(4B) substituted for s. 167(4) (1.7.2021) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 2 para. 7(4) (with Sch. 2 Pt. 3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 4(b)
S. 167(3A) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/632), regs. 1(3), 44; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (15.1.2013) by The Payments in Euro (Credit Transfers and Direct Debits) Regulations 2012 (S.I. 2012/3122), reg. 1, Sch. para. 2 (as amended (1.4.2013) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/472), Sch. 2 para. 248(6)(b))
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (12.12.2014) by The Immigration Act 2014 (Bank Accounts) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/3085), regs. 1, 14
S. 167(1) applied (with modifications) (1.1.2014) by The Capital Requirements Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/3115), regs. 1(2), 14
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2016) by The Small and Medium Sized Business (Finance Platforms) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1946), regs. 1(2), 23
Words in s. 167(4A) substituted (14.1.2025) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Designated Activities) (Supervision and Enforcement) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/22), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 8(3)
S. 167 applied (22.7.2013) by The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1773), regs. 1, 71(1)(c)
S. 167(1A)(e) inserted (14.1.2025) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Designated Activities) (Supervision and Enforcement) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/22), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 8(2)
Pt. 11 modified (15.7.2025 for specified purposes) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities etc.) (Amendment) Order 2025 (S.I. 2025/859), arts. 1(2)(3), 10(6)
S. 167(2)(c) inserted (1.1.2016) by The Solvency 2 Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/575), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 8(2)(c)
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (3.11.2025) by S.I. 2024/105, reg. 44(5) (as substituted by The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading (Amendment and Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1076), regs. 1(2), 2)
S. 167(5A)(d) inserted (1.7.2021) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 2 para. 7(5) (with Sch. 2 Pt. 3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 4(b)
S. 167 applied (with modifications) (14.1.2025 for specified purposes) by The Short Selling Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/29), regs. 2(2)(3), 24, Sch. 1 Pt. 1
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (30.1.2024 for specified purposes, 1.11.2024 in so far as not already in force) by The Securitisation Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/102), reg. 2(1)(e)(2), Sch. 1 para. 10 (with reg. 52(3), Sch. 3); as amended by S.I. 2024/705, regs. 1(2), 2(2)
Pt. 11 applied in part (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Over the Counter Derivatives, Central Counterparties and Trade Repositories (Amendment, etc., and Transitional Provision) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/335), regs. 1(1), 75 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 167 applied (with modifications) (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) (No. 2) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1881), arts. 1(2)(6), 12(9)
Word in s. 167(2)(b) inserted (1.1.2016) by The Solvency 2 Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/575), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 8(2)(b)
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2018) by The Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/1127), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 2
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (10.6.2019) by The Proxy Advisors (Shareholders Rights) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/926), regs. 1, 20, 22 (as amended by S.I. 2020/628, regs. 1(4), 15(5))
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Credit Rating Agencies (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/266), regs. 1(3), 18(1) (as amended by S.I. 2020/1384, regs. 1(4), 50(3)) (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
Pt. 11 modified (E.W.S.) (29.11.2018 for specified purposes, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Claims Management Activity) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1253), arts. 1(2)(3), 82(13)
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (27.2.2018) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Benchmarks) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/135), regs. 1(2), 19
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (13.1.2018) by The Payment Services Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/752), reg. 1(6), Sch. 6 para. 4 (with reg. 3) (as amended by S.I. 2018/1201, reg. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 72(3) (with reg. 4, Sch. 3 Pt. 2) (as amended by S.I. 2020/56, regs. 1, 8); and (29.8.2023) by Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (c. 29), s. 86(3), Sch. 2 para. 72(b) (with s. 2(3)); S.I. 2023/779, reg. 4(zz)(iv))
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (30.1.2024 for specified purposes) by The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/105), regs. 2(2)(3), 44(4) (with regs. 48-50)
S. 167 modified (E.W.S.) (29.11.2018 for specified purposes, 1.4.2019 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Claims Management Activity) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1253), arts. 1(2)(3), 55(4)
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (30.1.2024 for specified purposes) by The Securitisation Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/102), reg. 2(1)(e)(2), Sch. 1 para. 10 (with reg. 52(3), Sch. 3)
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (3.7.2017 for specified purposes, 3.1.2018 in so far as not already in force) by The Data Reporting Services Regulations 2017 (S.I. 2017/699), regs. 1(2)(a)(b), 33
Words in s. 167(5A)(d) substituted (14.1.2025) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Designated Activities) (Supervision and Enforcement) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/22), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 8(4)
Pt. 11 modified (temp. to 1.4.2014) (31.12.2013) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Consumer Credit) (Transitional Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/3128), arts. 1(1), 4(1)(2)
Words in s. 167(1)(c) substituted (1.7.2021) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 2 para. 7(2)(b) (with Sch. 2 Pt. 3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 4(b)
Pt. 11 applied in part (with modifications) (31.12.2020) by The Transparency of Securities Financing Transactions and of Reuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/542), regs. 1, 36 (with savings in S.I. 2019/680, reg. 11); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
S. 167 applied (with modifications) (8.6.2023 for specified purposes, 7.10.2023 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) (Amendment) Order 2023 (S.I. 2023/612), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 16 (with art. 11)
S. 167(1)(4A) applied (3.11.2025) by S.I. 2024/105, reg. 44(1) (as substituted by The Public Offers and Admissions to Trading (Amendment and Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2025 (S.I. 2025/1076), regs. 1(2), 2)
S. 167 applied (20.4.2015 for specified purposes, 21.12.2015 for specified purposes, 21.3.2016 in so far as not already in force) by The Mortgage Credit Directive Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/910), arts. 1(5), 23(2)(c) (with Pt. 4)
S. 167(1A) inserted (1.7.2021) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 2 para. 7(3) (with Sch. 2 Pt. 3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 4(b)
Words in s. 167(2)(c) substituted (31.12.2024) by The Insurance and Reinsurance Undertakings (Prudential Requirements) (Amendment and Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1083), regs. 1(2)(b), 6
S. 167(5A) inserted (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 7(3) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2019) by The Securitisation Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1288), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 3 (with Sch. 1 paras. 13, 14)
Words in s. 167(1) substituted (1.4.2013) by Financial Services Act 2012 (c. 21), s. 122(3), Sch. 12 para. 7(2) (with Sch. 20); S.I. 2013/423, art. 3, Sch.
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (1.1.2016) by The Small and Medium Sized Business (Credit Information) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/1945), regs. 1(2), 26
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (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. 1 para. 19(1) (with reg. 7)
Word in s. 167(2)(a) omitted (1.1.2016) by virtue of The Solvency 2 Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/575), reg. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 8(2)(a)
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (E.W.) (9.7.2013) by The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (Referral Fees) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/1635), regs. 1, 13
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (18.9.2016) by The Payment Accounts Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/2038), reg. 1(2)(b), Sch. 7 para. 2
Pt. 11 modified (10.5.2018) by Financial Guidance and Claims Act 2018 (c. 10), s. 37(1)(f), Sch. 5 para. 1
Words in s. 167(1)(a) substituted (1.7.2021) by Financial Services Act 2021 (c. 22), s. 49(5), Sch. 2 para. 7(2)(a) (with Sch. 2 Pt. 3); S.I. 2021/671, reg. 4(b)
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (26.7.2013 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consumer Credit) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1882), arts. 1(1), 3(5)
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (30.4.2011) by The Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (S.I. 2011/99), reg. 62, Sch. 3 para. 3 (with reg. 3) (as amended (1.4.2013) by The Financial Services Act 2012 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/472), Sch. 2 para. 196(5)(c); and (14.2.2014 for specified purposes, 1.4.2014 in so far as not already in force) by The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Amendment) Order 2014 (S.I. 2014/366), arts. 1(4), 18(4)(b); and (10.1.2020) by The Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Amendment) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/1511), regs. 1(2), 19 and (31.12.2020) by S.I. 2018/1201, reg. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 21(3)(a)-(c) (with reg. 4, Sch. 3 Pt. 1) (with further transitional provisions in Sch. 3 Pt. 1A as inserted by S.I. 2019/405, regs. 1, 10 and as amended by S.I. 2019/1010, regs. 1(3), 7; S.I. 2019/1212, regs. 1(2), 7; and S.I. 2020/56, regs. 1, 8) and (29.8.2023) by Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 (c. 29), s. 86(3), Sch. 2 para. 62(b) (with s. 2(3)); S.I. 2023/779, reg. 4(zz)(iv))
Pt. 11 applied (with modifications) (5.4.2024) by The Data Reporting Services Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/107), regs. 1(2), 18; S.I. 2023/1382, reg. 4(c)