Decision Notice
On , the Financial Conduct Authority issued a Decision Notice to Clearbond Law Limited
NOTICE OF DECISION TO CANCEL
To:
Clearbond Law Limited (formerly known as Clearbond Finance
Limited)
Address:
7, The Tything, Worcester, WR1 1HD
FRN: 911722
ACTION
1.
For the reasons set out below and under regulation 60(3)(a) of the MLR, the Authority
has decided to cancel CLL’s Registration.
REASONS FOR THE ACTION
2.
CLL has failed to pay a charge imposed by the Authority. The Authority may cancel CLL’s
Registration under regulation 60(3)(a) of the MLR, on the basis of the condition in
regulation 59(1)(c)(ii) (which concerns the payment of charges and to which regulation
60(3)(a) refers).
DEFINITIONS
3.
The definitions below are used in this Notice (and in the Annex):
“the Act” means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;
“Annex 1 financial institution” has the meaning given in regulation 55(2) of the MLR 2017;
“the Authority” means the Financial Conduct Authority;
“CLL” means CLEARBOND LAW LIMITED;
2
“CLL’s Registration” means the registration by the Authority for CLL as an Annex 1 financial
institution under the MLR 2017;
“EG” means the Enforcement Guide;
“the MLR 2017” means the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds
(Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017;
“Notice” means Notice of Proposed Cancellation; and
“the Tribunal” means the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber).
RELEVANT STATUTORY PROVISIONS
4.
The statutory and regulatory provisions relevant to this Notice are set out in the Annex.
ACTION AND DEFINITIONS
5.
CLL has failed to pay a charge due to the Authority. The Authority may therefore cancel
CLL’s Registration under the MLR 2017 in accordance with Regulation 60(3)(a) of the MLR
2017, on the basis of the condition in Regulation 59(1)(c)(ii) (to which Regulation
60(3)(a) refers and which concerns the payment of charges).
FACTS AND MATTERS RELIED ON
6.
CLL was registered by the Authority on 30 August 2019 as an Annex 1 financial institution.
7.
CLL has failed to pay charges to the Authority of £519 which had been due for payment
by 29 December 2020.
8.
CLL has also failed to respond adequately to the Authority’s repeated requests that it pay
the charges owed to the Authority.
9.
By its Notice of Proposed Cancellation dated 22 August 2023, the Authority gave notice
that it proposed to cancel CLL’s Registration and CLL was given the opportunity to make
representations to the Authority about that proposed action.
10.
Regulation 60(9) of the MLR requires the Authority then to decide whether to cancel CLL’s
registration.
11.
No representations have been received by the Authority from CLL within the time allowed
by the Notice of Proposed Cancellation. The Authority has therefore decided to cancel
CLL’s Registration for the reasons described above. The cancellation of CLL will take
effect on 27 November 2023.
PROCEDURAL MATTERS
Decision maker
12.
The decision which gave rise to the obligation to give this Notice of Decision to Cancel
was made by an Authority staff member under executive procedures.
3
13.
This Notice of Decision to Cancel is given to CLL under Regulation 60(9)(b) and is being
served on CLL at the address last notified to the Authority as CLL’s principal place of
business.
The Tribunal
14.
CLL has the right to appeal the decision to cancel to the Tribunal. The Tax and Chancery
Chamber is the part of the Upper Tribunal which, among other things, hears appeals
arising from decisions of the Authority. Under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 3 to the
Tribunal Procedure (Upper Tribunal) Rules 2008, CLL has 28 days from the date on which
this Notice is given to CLL to refer the appeal to the Tribunal.
15.
An appeal to the Tribunal is made by way of a signed reference notice (Form FTC3) filed
with a copy of this Notice. The Tribunal’s contact details are: Upper Tribunal, (Tax and
Chancery Chamber), Fifth Floor, Rolls Building, Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1NL (tel: 020
7612 9730; email: fs@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk.
16.
For further information on the Tribunal, CLL should refer to the HM Courts and Tribunal
Service website. Guidance on making a reference to the Tribunal and the relevant form
to complete (Form FTC3) can be accessed from the following link:
17.
A copy of Form FTC3 must also be sent to Loktuz Zaman at the Authority, 12 Endeavour
Square, London E20 1JN at the same time as filing a reference with the Upper Tribunal.
Access to evidence
18.
A schedule of the material upon which the Authority has relied in deciding to give CLL
this Notice was given to CLL with the Notice of Proposed Cancellation.
Confidentiality and publicity
19.
This Notice may contain confidential information and should not be disclosed to a third
party (except for the purpose of obtaining advice on its contents).
20.
However, the Authority may publish such information about the matter to which a Notice
served under Regulation 60(9) relates as it considers appropriate. The information
published may contain reference to the facts and matters contained in this Notice.
Contacts
21.
For more information concerning this matter generally, CLL should contact Loktuz Zaman
at the Authority (direct line: 020 7066 0601).
Alison Walters
Executive Decision Maker
Decision made by an FCA Head of Department under Executive Procedures
ANNEX
RELEVANT STATUTORY PROVISIONS
1. Regulation 55(1) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“The [Authority] may maintain a register of Annex I financial institutions.”
2. Regulation 55(6) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“The registers maintained by the registering authorities must include entries in
any equivalent registers maintained under regulation 32 of the Money Laundering
Regulations 2007 which were current immediately before the date that regulation
was revoked.”
3. Regulation 59(1) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“Subject to regulation 58, the registering authority may refuse to register an
applicant for registration in a register maintained under regulation 54 or 55 only
if—
(c) the applicant has failed to pay […]
(ii) a charge imposed by the authority under Part 11”.
4. Regulation 60(3) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“The registering authority may […] cancel a person’s registration in a register
maintained by it under regulation 54 or 55 if, at any time after registration—
(a) it appears to the authority that any of paragraphs (a) to (e) of
regulation 59(1) apply;
[…].”
5. Regulation 60(8) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“Where the FCA is minded to suspend or cancel a person’s registration it must
give that person notice—
(a) that it is so minded;
(b) if appropriate, the proposed period of the suspension;
(c) the reasons for being so minded; and
(d) the right to make representations to it within the period specified in
the notice (which must not be less than 28 days).”
5
6. Regulation 60(9) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“The FCA must then decide, within a reasonable period, whether to suspend or
cancel the person’s registration and it must give that person notice of—
(a) its decision not to be suspend or cancel the person’s registration; or
(b) the following matters-
i. the decision to suspend or cancel the person’s registration and,
subject to paragraph 10, the date from which the suspension or
cancellation takes effect;
ii. the period of the suspension;
iii. the reasons for its decision; and
iv. the right to appeal under regulation 93.”
7. Regulation 120 (1)(a) and (b) of the MLR provides:
“The FCA and the Commissioners may impose charges on —
(c) applicants for registration under Chapter 2 of Part 6;
(d) relevant persons supervised by them.”
OTHER RELEVANT REGULATORY PROVISIONS
8. The Authority’s policy in relation to exercising its enforcement powers is set out in EG, the
relevant provisions of which are summarised below.
EG 19.14.7 provides that, in relation to the MLR 2017, the Authority has decided to adopt
enforcement and decision making procedures, in relation to the use of its investigation and
sanctioning powers, broadly akin to those it has under the Act. The types of circumstances in
which the Authority will consider cancelling a firm’s Part 4A Permission under the Act include
non-payment of Authority fees or repeated failures to pay Authority fees except under threat of
Enforcement action (EG 8.5.2(5)).
To:
Clearbond Law Limited (formerly known as Clearbond Finance
Limited)
Address:
7, The Tything, Worcester, WR1 1HD
FRN: 911722
ACTION
1.
For the reasons set out below and under regulation 60(3)(a) of the MLR, the Authority
has decided to cancel CLL’s Registration.
REASONS FOR THE ACTION
2.
CLL has failed to pay a charge imposed by the Authority. The Authority may cancel CLL’s
Registration under regulation 60(3)(a) of the MLR, on the basis of the condition in
regulation 59(1)(c)(ii) (which concerns the payment of charges and to which regulation
60(3)(a) refers).
DEFINITIONS
3.
The definitions below are used in this Notice (and in the Annex):
“the Act” means the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000;
“Annex 1 financial institution” has the meaning given in regulation 55(2) of the MLR 2017;
“the Authority” means the Financial Conduct Authority;
“CLL” means CLEARBOND LAW LIMITED;
2
“CLL’s Registration” means the registration by the Authority for CLL as an Annex 1 financial
institution under the MLR 2017;
“EG” means the Enforcement Guide;
“the MLR 2017” means the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds
(Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017;
“Notice” means Notice of Proposed Cancellation; and
“the Tribunal” means the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber).
RELEVANT STATUTORY PROVISIONS
4.
The statutory and regulatory provisions relevant to this Notice are set out in the Annex.
ACTION AND DEFINITIONS
5.
CLL has failed to pay a charge due to the Authority. The Authority may therefore cancel
CLL’s Registration under the MLR 2017 in accordance with Regulation 60(3)(a) of the MLR
2017, on the basis of the condition in Regulation 59(1)(c)(ii) (to which Regulation
60(3)(a) refers and which concerns the payment of charges).
FACTS AND MATTERS RELIED ON
6.
CLL was registered by the Authority on 30 August 2019 as an Annex 1 financial institution.
7.
CLL has failed to pay charges to the Authority of £519 which had been due for payment
by 29 December 2020.
8.
CLL has also failed to respond adequately to the Authority’s repeated requests that it pay
the charges owed to the Authority.
9.
By its Notice of Proposed Cancellation dated 22 August 2023, the Authority gave notice
that it proposed to cancel CLL’s Registration and CLL was given the opportunity to make
representations to the Authority about that proposed action.
10.
Regulation 60(9) of the MLR requires the Authority then to decide whether to cancel CLL’s
registration.
11.
No representations have been received by the Authority from CLL within the time allowed
by the Notice of Proposed Cancellation. The Authority has therefore decided to cancel
CLL’s Registration for the reasons described above. The cancellation of CLL will take
effect on 27 November 2023.
PROCEDURAL MATTERS
Decision maker
12.
The decision which gave rise to the obligation to give this Notice of Decision to Cancel
was made by an Authority staff member under executive procedures.
3
13.
This Notice of Decision to Cancel is given to CLL under Regulation 60(9)(b) and is being
served on CLL at the address last notified to the Authority as CLL’s principal place of
business.
The Tribunal
14.
CLL has the right to appeal the decision to cancel to the Tribunal. The Tax and Chancery
Chamber is the part of the Upper Tribunal which, among other things, hears appeals
arising from decisions of the Authority. Under paragraph 2(2) of Schedule 3 to the
Tribunal Procedure (Upper Tribunal) Rules 2008, CLL has 28 days from the date on which
this Notice is given to CLL to refer the appeal to the Tribunal.
15.
An appeal to the Tribunal is made by way of a signed reference notice (Form FTC3) filed
with a copy of this Notice. The Tribunal’s contact details are: Upper Tribunal, (Tax and
Chancery Chamber), Fifth Floor, Rolls Building, Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1NL (tel: 020
7612 9730; email: fs@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk.
16.
For further information on the Tribunal, CLL should refer to the HM Courts and Tribunal
Service website. Guidance on making a reference to the Tribunal and the relevant form
to complete (Form FTC3) can be accessed from the following link:
17.
A copy of Form FTC3 must also be sent to Loktuz Zaman at the Authority, 12 Endeavour
Square, London E20 1JN at the same time as filing a reference with the Upper Tribunal.
Access to evidence
18.
A schedule of the material upon which the Authority has relied in deciding to give CLL
this Notice was given to CLL with the Notice of Proposed Cancellation.
Confidentiality and publicity
19.
This Notice may contain confidential information and should not be disclosed to a third
party (except for the purpose of obtaining advice on its contents).
20.
However, the Authority may publish such information about the matter to which a Notice
served under Regulation 60(9) relates as it considers appropriate. The information
published may contain reference to the facts and matters contained in this Notice.
Contacts
21.
For more information concerning this matter generally, CLL should contact Loktuz Zaman
at the Authority (direct line: 020 7066 0601).
Alison Walters
Executive Decision Maker
Decision made by an FCA Head of Department under Executive Procedures
ANNEX
RELEVANT STATUTORY PROVISIONS
1. Regulation 55(1) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“The [Authority] may maintain a register of Annex I financial institutions.”
2. Regulation 55(6) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“The registers maintained by the registering authorities must include entries in
any equivalent registers maintained under regulation 32 of the Money Laundering
Regulations 2007 which were current immediately before the date that regulation
was revoked.”
3. Regulation 59(1) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“Subject to regulation 58, the registering authority may refuse to register an
applicant for registration in a register maintained under regulation 54 or 55 only
if—
(c) the applicant has failed to pay […]
(ii) a charge imposed by the authority under Part 11”.
4. Regulation 60(3) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“The registering authority may […] cancel a person’s registration in a register
maintained by it under regulation 54 or 55 if, at any time after registration—
(a) it appears to the authority that any of paragraphs (a) to (e) of
regulation 59(1) apply;
[…].”
5. Regulation 60(8) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“Where the FCA is minded to suspend or cancel a person’s registration it must
give that person notice—
(a) that it is so minded;
(b) if appropriate, the proposed period of the suspension;
(c) the reasons for being so minded; and
(d) the right to make representations to it within the period specified in
the notice (which must not be less than 28 days).”
5
6. Regulation 60(9) of the MLR 2017 provides:
“The FCA must then decide, within a reasonable period, whether to suspend or
cancel the person’s registration and it must give that person notice of—
(a) its decision not to be suspend or cancel the person’s registration; or
(b) the following matters-
i. the decision to suspend or cancel the person’s registration and,
subject to paragraph 10, the date from which the suspension or
cancellation takes effect;
ii. the period of the suspension;
iii. the reasons for its decision; and
iv. the right to appeal under regulation 93.”
7. Regulation 120 (1)(a) and (b) of the MLR provides:
“The FCA and the Commissioners may impose charges on —
(c) applicants for registration under Chapter 2 of Part 6;
(d) relevant persons supervised by them.”
OTHER RELEVANT REGULATORY PROVISIONS
8. The Authority’s policy in relation to exercising its enforcement powers is set out in EG, the
relevant provisions of which are summarised below.
EG 19.14.7 provides that, in relation to the MLR 2017, the Authority has decided to adopt
enforcement and decision making procedures, in relation to the use of its investigation and
sanctioning powers, broadly akin to those it has under the Act. The types of circumstances in
which the Authority will consider cancelling a firm’s Part 4A Permission under the Act include
non-payment of Authority fees or repeated failures to pay Authority fees except under threat of
Enforcement action (EG 8.5.2(5)).