Financial services investigations and enforcement matters place firms and individuals under intense regulatory, commercial, and reputational pressure. We advise financial institutions, boards, senior management, and individuals on internal, regulatory and enforcement investigations, helping clients manage risk, respond proportionately to regulatory concerns and, where possible, avoid formal enforcement action.
Our lawyers regularly conduct and advise financial services firms on investigations arising from suspected regulatory breaches, market conduct issues, whistleblowing allegations, and cultural concerns. We are particularly well-known for advising clients facing scrutiny from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA), and overseas regulators and prosecutors.
We have led some of the most sensitive and high‑profile investigations in the financial services space in recent years, working for organisations including banks, hedge funds, and asset managers. We combine deep regulatory expertise with practical experience of regulator engagement and internal governance, including cross‑border and multi‑regulator matters.
Our team includes former regulators and criminal prosecution specialists, giving us valuable insight into how regulators approach investigations, enforcement action and interventions. This allows us to advise clients strategically from the earliest stages - whether responding to a regulatory enquiry, conducting internal investigations, making regulatory notifications, or preparing for potential enforcement action.
Where enforcement action cannot be avoided, we are experienced in defending clients before the FCA’s Regulatory Decisions Committee, the PRA’s Enforcement Decision Making Committee, and on appeals to the Upper Tribunal and other fora. We also provide seamless support where criminal investigations are pursued alongside regulatory action.
We can help with:
Investigating whistleblower allegations from the global head of surveillance at a major investment bank related to the implementation of the Market Abuse Regulation
Running an internal investigation for a hedge fund manager firm into suspected spoofing market manipulation by a trader
Running an internal investigation and accountability review for a bank regarding process failures in handling suspicious transaction alerts and consequent late filing of Suspicious Activity Reports
Conducting several cultural investigations for a global investment bank, including into allegations of institutional racism
Investigating bullying and non-financial misconduct allegations against two of the most senior UK bankers at a US headquartered global investment bank
Banks
We act for all different types and sizes of banks, from challenger banks, to the largest global investment banks. Our clients include a plethora of banks comprising investment, challenger, retail, commercial, investment, foreign banks, private banks, building societies, neobanks, and novel alternative capital providers.
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Asset and Fund Managers
We provide legal support to asset managers on all aspects of conduct of business and regulatory risk.
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Wealth Managers and Financial Advisers
We are the market leading law firm for services to financial advisers/wealth managers and networks.
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Financial Services Regulation
We help financial services businesses navigate complex and fast-changing regulatory requirements, including prudential and conduct of business issues affecting both retail and wholesale firms. Our experts work with banks, asset managers, investment firms, insurers, brokers, non-bank lenders and payment services firms to manage risk and achieve compliance.
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Employment
Our Employment and Pensions group is one of the largest specialist employment teams in the country, with over 60 specialist employment and pensions lawyers nationally. Tax is an integrated part of the advice we provide.
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"Hayes is a veteran contentious lawyer who frequently handles allegations of market abuse, trading errors, transaction reporting, bribery, fraud, or misconduct"
Who we are
We’re a broad-based commercial firm serving a wide range of sectors with a strong heritage in insurance,
health and real estate. We combine excellent legal skills and cutting-edge delivery expertise to design
solutions that fit the needs of our clients – often involving clever uses of technology.
Insurance
DAC Beachcroft is recognised as a pre-eminent advisor to the insurance market, and we place a strong emphasis on the long-term relationships we build with you so that we can really add value to your business.
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Health and Social Care
DAC Beachcroft is regarded as market leaders in the provision of corporate, commercial and regulatory legal advice to healthcare providers.
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Real Estate
Our real estate lawyers support you through the full real estate development cycle, from acquisition to disposal. Working with clients in the private and public sectors, we deliver clear, practical advice that aligns with your commercial priorities and long‑term strategy.
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Financial Services
We regularly advise product designers and manufacturers, trade bodies, and retailers, distributors and venture capitalists looking to invest in the financial services sector.
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Technology
As long-standing and trusted advisers in the technology sector, we deliver pragmatic and innovative solutions that empower you to make informed decisions about how best to maximise your success.
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Industry Specialisms
We combine our in-depth sector knowledge with astute commercial awareness and global reach.
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Services
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