Financial Services: Payments Law | UK

Allen & Overy is highly regarded for its broad strength in the non-contentious regulatory space, offering clients the benefits of its close relationships with government, regulators and trade bodies in the shaping of regulatory reforms. The team combines this with a highly regarded payments practice, serving both infrastructure providers and tech-driven companies.

Hogan Lovells has an impressive team that supports clients such as banks, asset managers and fintech startups. The team regularly works on matters such as commercial arrangements and product development. It is a go-to firm for payments law issues, including data protection and AML matters.

Addleshaw Goddard is a robust firm in the payments arena, able to draw upon significant experience developing innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to issues in the space. Its areas of expertise include corporate payment products and services, the paytech aspect of the burgeoning fintech arena, and retailer-issued credit cards and loyalty programmes.

Osborne Clarke is particularly noted for its work in the payments law space, with a dedicated team advising on the most cutting-edge developments, including PSD2. The team also advises on the regulatory aspects of major transactions.

Sidley Austin's powerful transatlantic capability feeds into a highly regarded payments practice acting for all categories of clients in the space, including mobile payments providers, card issuers and acquirers, and payment systems. The team is well versed in a range of regulatory matters including anti-money laundering, consumer protection and data security. Its established global reach makes it a good choice for both major international players and rapidly expanding startups. Sidley Austin also has a noted practice advising investment funds on regulatory issues, both domestic and cross-border.

Ashurst is recognised for its strength in the non-contentious space, advising banks, insurance companies and asset managers on matters such as Brexit planning and MiFID II. The team is highly experienced in technology and payments aspects of the area, advising challenger banks and cryptocurrency firms.

Latham & Watkins has a strong practice with a notable bench of practitioners steeped in the financial services field, particularly on the non-contentious advisory side. It is keenly sought out for counsel on wholesale reviews of policy for significant organisations. It acts for an enviable client roster which includes international banks, investment managers and insurance companies. The team is also noted for its expertise in advising clients on cross-border payments issues.

Pinsent Masons' burgeoning payments practice draws on the firm's recognised capabilities in broader technology law. It regularly advises banks and payment services providers on the development, launch and rollout of new products and platforms.

Travers Smith's broad team operates in all sectors of the market, with particular strength in advising asset managers and private equity groups on compliance with relevant regulatory developments. It also advises on payments law matters, in addition to other financial market infrastructure issues.