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Information on Financial Services Regulations in The UK

Luxury Lifestyle Investments LLC provides information about offshore investments for expatriates and international investors. National regulatory authorities in some countries forbid the advertising of unauthorised investments; this is for the protection of domestic investors. It is important that you check your status before pursueing any investment opportunity.

The service offering of investments, and the advertising of investments, in the UK are regulated by the Financial Services Authority ('FSA') under the Financial Services Act 1986 ('The Act').

In 2000, a new Financial Services Act ('The 2000 Act') was passed by Parliament along with additional subsidiary regulations issued by the Treasury in subsequent years. Information pertaining to this regulation can be found at www.hmtreasury.gov.uk

The Act of 2000 is a very broad-based piece of legislation, and does contain numerous detailed changes to the previous statutory regime. Its most noted result is to bring financial services regulation together, directly under the FSA. In contrast, previous regulation was exercised through a series of self-regulatory bodies such as the Pensions and Investment Authority, the Securities and Futures Association, etc.

In essence, the 2000 Act does not alter the position with respect to the advertising and sale of investments in the UK, as outlined below. The legislation of itself is very complex, and the information provided here is to be considered as nothing more than a brief introduction. Therefore, readers of this information are not expected to solely rely on this information alone and should seek professional advice before making investments or taking any other action.

According to the requirements of the Act, individuals or companies who provide, market or sell investments to UK residents should be authorised to do so, and public advertisements should be in relation only to products offered by such authorised providers.

Some exceptions are made for investments offered only to a limited number of experienced, professional or 'high net worth' investors. Nevertheless, for the larger percentage of UK residents, the Act means that they will be offered only products and services which have been authorised. In practice this means that in comparative terms, investments offered are not risky, and depending on the investment, certain types of compensation may be available in the event that the investment provider fails to live up to their responsibilities.

Prior to the availability of the internet, it was fairly understood that a UK or othe publication with a high percentage of UK subscribers was not permitted to include advertisements for unauthorised products or services (eg offshore hedge funds or equity brokerages). One of the purposes of the 2000 Act is to more clearly define the circumstances under which a website can carry unauthorised advertisements. Having said that, there are a number of tests by which a site is to be judged. One of the key tests is whether a site is directed more specifically towards UK residents, and this is largely determined by the nature of the products and services advertised, together with the necessary 'defences' or 'warnings' posted by the site, against unauthorised viewing of its contents.

LuxuryLifestyleInvestments.com does not specifically target UK residents. The purpose of this website is to advise expatriates and international 'high net worth' investors about potential investments available to them world-wide. This site is not regulated by the Financial Services Authority ('FSA') and any advertisements carried are not authorised to be viewed by UK residents.

For further information about the FSA you can visit, www.fsa.gov.uk ; information concerning the Act and other relevant information can be reviewed at www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk