Martyn advises financial institutions on regulatory matters. Prior to returning to private practice in 2004 he spent over nine years working as a senior lawyer at the UK Financial Services Authority, latterly as Head of Department in the Enforcement Division. He has extensive experience advising investment banks, retail banks, insurers, asset managers and listed companies on regulatory compliance problems. He has advised on “crisis management” on discovery of major compliance failures, conducted numerous internal investigations and represented clients in regulatory investigations, enforcement actions and related civil litigation across the financial services sector. His client work has included some of the highest profile cases brought by the regulators over the past decade and has involved him regularly representing clients before regulators, tribunals and the higher courts (including applications for judicial review of regulators). He has extensive experience of managing multi-jurisdictional regulatory issues and investigations touching Europe, the US and Asia-Pacific. Martyn also regularly advises clients on compliance risk management issues. His areas of particular interest and experience include insider dealing and market manipulation, unauthorised trading incidents, corporate disclosure issues, governance and risk control in financial institutions, senior management responsibilities, management of conflicts of interest, suitability of financial products and portfolio management, financial promotions, fair treatment of customers and other conduct of business standards in respect of investment, banking and insurance products. Martyn’s recent clients have included UBS, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, Lloyds Banking Group, RBS, Santander, Bradford & Bingley, Zurich, Prudential, Capita Financial and a number of asset management firms. Recent significant client matters on which he worked have included advising and representing UBS in relation to the Adoboli US$2.3billion unauthorised trading incident, representing UBS in the FSA’s Upper Tribunal proceedings against senior manager John Pottage and acting for the applicant in the judicial review of the FSA in R v FSA on the application of C. He has had a significant role advising clients on most of the major regulatory investigations and inquiries resulting from the banking crisis.
England - London • Corporate and commercial
Linklaters LLP
The ‘first-rate’ offering at Linklaters LLP is known for its expertise in handling the gamut of PRA, FCA and BoE investigations and enforcement actions. The firm’s cross-border contentious footprint enables practitioners to handle complex multi-jurisdictional mandates. Alison Wilson heads up the global litigation, arbitration and investigations offering. Martyn Hopper is experienced in representing clients before regulators, tribunals and the higher courts. Nikunj Kiri is highly regarded both for his expertise in conducting internal investigations, and representing clients in FSA and FCA investigations and enforcement proceedings. Barrister Clare McMullen brings her experience as counsel in the Enforcement Division of the FCA to the team. Ben Packer regularly handles multiple parallel investigations by authorities into firms and individuals. Counsel Elizabeth Dowd is another key team member.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Extremely strong team - one of the best in the city. All round experience and capability.’
‘Clare McMullen - Great manner; strong regulatory background.'
'Nikunj Kiri is very knowledgable.'
'Alison Wilson has really developed into a leading player.'
‘As a firm, they are extremely competent and always choose the right lawyer for the job. The firm has a family feel about it, and they take the time to get to know their client. They don't "clock watch", they inspire confidence and don't give the impression they only want the money to the detriment of the client.’
‘Susana Cao Miranda and Clare McMullen - inspire trust in their judgement, always take the time to ensure the client understands and they accept challenges. They are quick to respond, thorough, knowledgeable, friendly and extremely likeable. Despite their heavy schedules, they are never too busy to send time with their client.’
‘The team led by Alison Wilson is first-rate and appears to have very good depth.’
‘Alison Wilson is outstanding - very knowledgeable and pragmatic. Builds upon lots of real world experience, which means her judgement is spot on. Also has an excellent manner with clients.’
Work highlights
- Acting for a global financial institution in a PRA investigation in relation to its risk management systems and controls following the collapse of one of its fund clients.
- Representing a large retail bank in an FCA investigation into its treatment of customers in arrears.
- Representing a major UK challenger banks in parallel regulatory investigations conducted by the PRA and FCA in relation to its systems and controls and compliance with its disclosure obligations.
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Nik is a partner in the Financial Regulation Group in London. He has extensive experience of advising banks, broker-dealers, insurers, asset managers, wealth management firms and listed companies on regulatory and compliance matters, with a particular focus on contentious regulatory and compliance risk management issues. Nik’s contentious regulatory experience includes conducting internal investigations and reviews following the discovery of suspected compliance failures; assisting clients in managing section 166 skilled persons’ reviews; advising clients in relation to managing communications with regulators; representing clients in FSA/FCA investigations and enforcement proceedings (including representing clients before the Regulatory Decisions Committee, in the Upper Tribunal and in the higher courts); advising clients in relation to the development and implementation of past business reviews and redress/remediation programmes; and assisting clients in managing civil litigation risks arising out of regulatory failings. Nik also regularly advises clients on compliance risk management issues, including advice on the practical implications of regulation for their business practices and governance arrangements, and strategies for mitigating and managing regulatory and conduct risks. Nik’s work in this area covers a diverse range of topics, from senior management responsibility, governance and risk management frameworks to conflicts of interest, insider dealing, market abuse, client money, fair treatment of customers, complaint handling and other conduct of business issues. Nik also regularly advises listed companies, corporate brokers and sponsors in relation to the disclosure and control of inside information, the LR8 sponsor regime and other Listing Rule/DTR compliance matters.
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Martyn Hopper, Alison Wilson