Financial Services

Fountain Court has a market-leading reputation in the field of financial services, reinforced by our strength in banking and regulatory disputes. Members combine deep expertise with heavyweight commercial litigation capability. Our practice spans the sector, and includes audit, accountancy, banking and insurance.

Members of Fountain Court have had, and continue to have, central roles in the highest profile and highest value disputes and investigations in the sector. Many of the matters on which our members advise are precedent-setting. They are regularly called upon to advise regulators, regulated entities and high net-worth individuals. They routinely act on disputes arising between regulators, such as the Financial Conduct Authority, the Financial Reporting Council and the Prudential Regulatory Authority, and businesses, as well as cases involving allegations against firms and individual employees.

The set regularly advises regulators, businesses and individuals in connection with potential and active regulatory investigations, as well as on issues arising from regulatory action, including the consequences of regulatory breaches. Many regulatory disputes involve broader criminal implications and Fountain Court is uniquely placed at the commercial Bar in specialising in the cross over between civil, regulatory and criminal work. A significant number of the instructions received in this sector involve allegations of fraud or misrepresentation, including in the context of acquisitions or investments.

Our work also extends to matters which arise out of highly publicised administrations or insolvencies, including investigations by regulators into the circumstances of corporate collapses.

Our work includes cases relating to:

• Allegations of fraud or misrepresentation
• criminal allegations
• High-profile collapses
• Regulatory disputes, and including cases relating to the future interpretation of regulation