Final Notice
FINAL NOTICE
1.
ACTION
1.1
For the reasons set out in this Final Notice, the Financial Services Authority (the
“FSA”) hereby takes the following action against Lawford Finance UK Limited
(“Lawford”).
1.2
The FSA gave Lawford a Decision Notice on 6 February 2012 (the “Decision
Notice”), which notified Lawford that, for the reasons given below and pursuant to
section 45 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “Act”), the FSA had
decided to cancel the permission granted to Lawford under Part IV of the Act
(“Lawford’s Part IV permission”).
1.3
Lawford has not referred the matter to the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery
Division) within 28 days of the date on which the Decision Notice was given to it.
1.4
Accordingly, the FSA has today cancelled Lawford’s Part IV permission.
2.
REASONS FOR ACTION
2.1
On the basis of the facts and matters and conclusions described in the Warning Notice
issued to Lawford dated 29 December 2011, and in the Decision Notice, it appears to
the FSA that Lawford is failing to satisfy the threshold conditions set out in Schedule
6 to the Act (the "Threshold Conditions").
2.2
This is because Lawford has failed to pay fees and levies of £1,141.83 owed to the
FSA, despite repeated FSA requests that it does so.
2.3
This failing, which is significant in the context of Lawford’s suitability, leads the FSA
to conclude that Lawford is not conducting its business soundly and prudently and in
compliance with proper standards and that Lawford is not a fit and proper person, and
that it is therefore failing to satisfy the Threshold Conditions in relation to the
regulated activities for which it has had Part IV permission.
3.
DECISION MAKER
3.1
The decision which gave rise to the obligation to give this Final Notice was made by
the Regulatory Decisions Committee.
4.
IMPORTANT
4.1
This Final Notice is given to Lawford in accordance with section 390(1) of the Act.
4.2
Sections 391(4), 391(6) and 391(7) of the Act apply to the publication of information
about the matter to which this Final Notice relates. Under those provisions, the FSA
must publish such information about the matter to which this Final Notice relates as
the FSA considers appropriate. The information may be published in such manner as
the FSA considers appropriate. However, the FSA may not publish information if
such publication would, in the opinion of the FSA, be unfair to Lawford or prejudicial
to the interests of consumers.
4.3
The FSA intends to publish this Final Notice and such information about the matter to
which this Final Notice relates as it considers appropriate.
4.4
For more information concerning this matter generally, please contact Stephanie
Prowse at the FSA (direct line: 020 7066 9404 / fax: 020 7066 9405).
John Kirby
FSA Enforcement and Financial Crime Division