CMS

CMS‘ retail funds practice acts on the gamut of open-ended funds matters, advising on the launch of new Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) structures across a range of asset classes, including real estate and infrastructure among others. The regulatory side of the practice has carved out a strong ESG niche and is further focusing on digitalisation and AI in the funds sector, while also advising on existing regimes such as sustainable finance disclosure regulation (SFDR) and newly developed ones such as the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCAs) consumer duty. Edinburgh-based practice head Karagh Gilliatt acts for a number of the UK’s largest retail fund managers, advising on open-ended structures. Laura Houët is the firm’s co-head of ESG, acting for both fund managers and authorised corporate directors operating sustainable funds. Senior associate Rachel Lowe joined the firm from KPMG Law in March 2022, assisting with SFDR disclosures in addition to Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID) and Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) matters.