Obtaining authorisation and fees

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This overview is a guide to the Lexis+® UK Financial Services content within the Obtaining authorisation and fees subtopic, with links to the appropriate materials.

This overview explains the basic principle of carrying out regulated activities and summarises the available avenues that firms seeking authorisation will have to take, and the relevant financial authority or authorities they will have to deal with. The overview also sets out the topical content that is available.

Firms who wish to carry out regulated activities in the UK must be authorised to do so. For guidance on what constitutes 'regulated activities' see Practice Note: What are regulated activities?.

The most significant changes introduced under the current regulatory regime involve the way that firms are supervised and the risk mitigation process.

For further guidance, please see the Supervision Overview Document. You can also read a detailed discussion on the FCA's approach to supervision in The FCA’s approach to supervision for fixed portfolio firms and The FCA’s approach to supervision for flexible portfolio firm.

FCA authorisation process

The FCA authorisation process involves much more than just filling in forms. Firms

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Latest Financial Services News

FCA: three ‘finfluencers’ make first court appearance

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced that Charles Hunter, Kayan Kalipha and Luke Desmaris, each charged with one count of communicating an invitation to engage in investment activity, contrary to section 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA 2000), have made their first court appearance. The individuals—often referred to as ‘finfluencers’—are alleged to have encouraged social media followers to invest in foreign exchange (forex) trading through high-risk products known as contracts for difference (CFDs), without having the authorisation to promote these investments. They appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court, pleaded not guilty and are scheduled to appear at Southwark Crown Court on 8 October 2025.

Financial Services—other developments (10/9/2025)

A round-up of other developments, which have not been covered in full by the LexisNexis Financial Services practical guidance team but may nevertheless be of interest.

CP25/24: FCA consultations include PISCES penalties, UKLR buy-back notifications and contactless payment limits

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published quarterly consultation paper No. 49 (CP25/24), proposing Handbook changes across nine areas. These include extending its penalties policy to the Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES), aligning UK Listing Rules (UKLR) share buy-back notification deadlines with Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) requirements and removing the £100 contactless payment limit. Responses are sought by 15 October 2025.

Financial Services—other developments (9/9/2025)

A round-up of other developments, which have not been covered in full by the LexisNexis Financial Services practical guidance team but may nevertheless be of interest.

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