UK UK-wide Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory

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.

Clifford Chance is a leading player in the non-contentious regulatory space. Its lawyers advise on a host of high-profile matters, including regulatory issues surrounding Brexit. The team works with a host of premier clients, including asset managers and investment banks.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is adept at handling a range of non-contentious regulatory matters. The team regularly works on issues such as transactions and product development matters. Its lawyers are experienced in working with leading clients from a host of industries, including investment banking and private equity.

Linklaters has a top practice in the non-contentious regulatory space. Its close and longstanding relationships with many major financial institutions means that it is able to furnish clear and comprehensive market intelligence in its advice to clients. Its areas of activity include advising on the regulatory repercussions of Brexit, matters pertaining to the implementation of MiFID II and all aspects of prudential regulation, including ring-fencing. The team is also noted for its expertise in the fintech space.

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.

Slaughter and May's robust non-contentious regulatory practice is noted for its work with international banks, insurers, investment firms and large corporates. The team undertakes a range of work, including regulatory aspects of launching financial products, Brexit planning, transactions and capital structuring.

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.

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.

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.

Kirkland & Ellis has a robust financial services team that handles a range of non-contentious regulatory matters. The firm works with a range of clients including private equity firms, investment funds and fund managers.

Shearman & Sterling advises on a broad range of UK and EU financial regulatory matters. It is especially strong in the clearing and settlement sector alongside its work for investment firms, insurance companies and broker-dealers. Recent activity includes regulatory compliance for fintechs, in addition to handling a number of high-value mergers and acquisitions.

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.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner has solid capabilities in the full spectrum of non-contentious regulatory work, from SMCR-related issues to regulatory change projects. The team has experience in working with a range of high-profile clients, including financial institutions and executives.

Reed Smith's experienced team frequently counsels major banks and other FCA-regulated companies. It is particularly capable in cross-border matters involving multiple regulatory systems and is notable for its advice to trade associations across various industries on the effect of financial services and payments regulations.

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.

White & Case offers an expanding team which acts for a diverse, international client roster including numerous banks, brokers and financial services firms. It advises on transactional matters, strategic planning, compliance and regulatory implementation.