Neil Woodford Faces FCA Injunction For Unauthorized Activity

By Najiyya Budaly

The Financial Conduct Authority said Monday that it is seeking an injunction against fund manager Neil Woodford for allegedly providing investment services despite having been banned from managing funds for retail investors in 2025.

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Ex-Soldier Ordered To Repay £452K Over £1.3M Ponzi Fraud

By Sophia Dourou

A former British Army rifleman has been ordered to repay £452,000 ($603,000) to the victims of a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors out of £1.3 million, the Financial Conduct Authority said Monday.

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MPs Seek Rules Revamp For £200B In New Annual Investment

By Najiyya Budaly

Lawmakers have called for sweeping reforms to the way that businesses seek investment from banks, pension funds and the capital markets in order to raise an additional £200 billion ($267 billion) each year to match the performance of the strongest economies.

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Finance Tower Owner Sues CBRE Over 'Biased' Valuation

By William Janes

The owner of Belgium's Finance Tower has accused real estate investment giant CBRE of wrongly withholding rental income following a "biased" valuation of the skyscraper obtained by lenders who put surveyors under pressure.

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Barclays Loses VAT Appeal Over UK Fixed Establishment

By Josh White

A Barclays entity lacked a fixed establishment in the U.K. because its British branch was "skeletal" when the Delaware-based company applied for value-added tax grouping, a London tribunal ruled Monday.

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FCA Flags Misleading Car Finance Ads On Social Media

By Joel Poultney

The Financial Conduct Authority warned consumers on Monday about paid promotions from claims management companies and law firms that encourage people to sign up for motor finance claims, saying some are disguised as independent advice.

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Gov't Urged To Tighten 'Amber Flag' Pension Scam Rules

By Martin Croucher

The government must tighten rules that allow trustees to block pension transfers if they suspect members are being scammed, a long-term savings provider warned Monday.

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Guided Retirement May Be 'Critical' For UK

By Joel Poultney

Plans by the U.K. government to ensure trustees provide savers with a so-called guided retirement in later life could play a "critical role" in improving how Britons navigate pension decisions, a think tank said Monday, but such plans must be gradually developed to meet competing needs.

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Intesa Sanpaolo Makes €30.6B Bid For Monte Dei Paschi

By Najiyya Budaly

Italy's largest lender, Intesa Sanpaolo, said Monday that it is making a €30.6 billion ($35.2 billion) takeover offer for Monte dei Paschi di Siena — a day after rival Banco BPM called on MPS to open talks on a "merger of equals."

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Katten Hires Crowell Duo To Launch London Derivatives Team

By Ashish Sareen

Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP has hired two new partners from Crowell & Moring LLP to launch a dedicated structured products and derivatives practice in London, the firm said Monday.

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New FDI Regs Signal Major Changes For M&A Deals In EU

The European Parliament’s recent adoption of the new foreign direct investment regulation represents a major shift from the European Union's current regime, replacing a voluntary fragmented system with a mandatory baseline for screening and introducing procedural requirements that will bring greater consistency across member states, say lawyers at Covington.

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Roundup

Practice Leader Insights

Practice group leaders share thoughts on keeping the pulse on legal trends, tackling difficult cases and what it takes to make a mark in their area in this Expert Analysis series.

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