Business Legal Services
FCA authorisation
Secure FCA authorisation with clear, commercially focused legal support
If you are launching regulated services, entering the UK market or expanding your permissions, we help you prepare a clear, regulator-ready application that fits your business model.
Our expert FCA application lawyers are here to help you scope the right permissions, build a strong application and deal with any questions from the FCA, and where direct authorisation is not the right route, we can also advise on variation of permission and Appointed Representative options.
Finding the right legal partner
Why work with Harper James
Choose a legal partner you can trust: we’ll help protect your goals, your business and your people so you can move forward with confidence and focus on growing your business.
Affordable, transparent and predictable pricing
Clear itemised invoices, subscription plans with up to 50% discount, and fixed fee products help you plan and manage legal spend – with no nasty surprises.
Proven track record and measurable results
We’ve supported over 7,000 businesses since 2014, with an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot and a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 60+ from monthly client surveys.
Straight-talking, responsive advice
That means fast response times, practical expert legal advice delivered in plain English, and dedicated client service and account management support.
Risk and compliance assured
We’re an SRA regulated firm, but more importantly, we build quality, data, and compliance best practice into everything we do.
FCA authorisation support
For applications, variation of permission and Appointed Representative routes
If you need more than form-filling, and want the legal route, structure and documentation to line up properly, these are the situations we most often help with.
When you need to work out whether your business model falls inside the FCA perimeter, and which route is right for you – direct authorisation, registration, variation of permission or an Appointed Representative structure.
When you need to apply for FCA authorisation before launching a new lending, broking, payments, e-money, investment or insurance distribution offering in the UK.
When you need to turn a fast-moving product or growth plan into an application that properly reflects your governance, financial resources, customer journey and systems and controls.
When you need to expand an existing authorised business into new regulated activities, products or customer segments, and want a variation of permission that matches how the business will actually operate.
When you need to bring an overseas or group business into the UK market, and want the permissions, legal entity, senior management set-up and supporting documents aligned from the outset.
When you need to fix an application that is stalling, has prompted difficult FCA questions or was built around the wrong permissions, assumptions or structure.
The goal at this stage is to make the route clear, reduce avoidable back-and-forth and get the right people and documents lined up early.
- Share the background
Tell us about your business model, planned activities, group structure and where you are in the process. If you already have draft forms, policies or a business plan, we can review those too. - Get a clear view of the route
We assess the likely permissions in scope, the main legal and regulatory issues, and whether authorisation is the right route or whether a different structure should be considered. - Move forward with joined-up support
If you instruct us, we help prepare or refine the application, keep the supporting documents consistent, and support you with FCA follow-up questions as the matter progresses.
Related services
Supporting your growth journey
Applying for FCA authorisation is rarely a standalone legal project. Many of the businesses we support are launching new regulated products, entering the UK market, restructuring their group, or preparing for investment at the same time. Some of the related services we offer include:
Why choose our financial services lawyers?
Meet our team
FCA authorisation work rarely sits in isolation. Our financial services solicitors advise on regulated and unregulated financial services matters, including FCA authorisation, consumer credit, payments and e-money, so they can spot issues that affect both the application and the wider business plan. That matters when you need advice that is legally sound, commercially workable and joined up across governance, product and customer documentation.
Understanding FCA authorisation
Common questions
If you are weighing up the right route or trying to sense-check what the FCA will expect, these are some of the questions that usually come up early.
Do all financial services businesses need FCA authorisation?
Not always. Some businesses need authorisation, some need registration, and some may be able to rely on an exclusion or exemption depending on the activities they carry on. The right answer depends on the substance of the model, not just how the product is described.
What does the FCA look for in an authorisation application?
At a high level, the FCA looks at whether a firm is ready, willing and organised to carry on the activities it is applying for. In practice, that usually means a tailored business plan, suitable governance and senior management, clear systems and controls, and financial information that matches the legal entity and business model.
When do you need a variation of permission instead of a new application?
If you are already FCA-authorised and want to add, remove or change regulated activities or limitations, you may need a variation of permission rather than a fresh authorisation application. You should not start the new activity until the relevant permission or variation has been granted.
Can becoming an Appointed Representative be an alternative to direct authorisation?
Sometimes, yes. An Appointed Representative carries on certain regulated activities on behalf of a principal firm, and the principal is responsible for that business and must oversee it. It can be a useful route in the right circumstances, but it is not suitable or available for every model.
What usually causes FCA authorisation applications to be delayed or challenged?
Common issues include applying for the wrong permissions, using generic or inconsistent documents, weak financial forecasts, gaps in senior management experience, and submitting before the business is genuinely ready to operate. Where there are problems, it is usually better to fix the substance of the application rather than just add more paperwork.
Testimonials
What our clients say
If you are dealing with FCA authorisation, you need lawyers who can give you straight answers, stay commercial and keep complex regulatory work moving.
Harper James is always very efficient and responsive and has helped us complete projects in a timely manner. Their advice and support are always commercially astute and rooted in the practical.
Ben Furlong
Director,
EstateSure Limited
Our Extend plan with Harper James allows our in-house counsel instant access to specialist support. We relied on their valued guidance to get us through the acquisition process with accuracy and confidence.
Alison Conway
Senior Advisor,
Trust Payments
Experience of your team and how they make it simple to understand the options and what is required.
Value for money.
Paul Smith
COO,
Incuto
Harper James is always very efficient and responsive and has helped us complete projects in a timely manner. Their advice and support are always commercially astute and rooted in the practical.
Ben Furlong
Director,
EstateSure Limited
Our Extend plan with Harper James allows our in-house counsel instant access to specialist support. We relied on their valued guidance to get us through the acquisition process with accuracy and confidence.
Alison Conway
Senior Advisor,
Trust Payments
Experience of your team and how they make it simple to understand the options and what is required.
Value for money.
Paul Smith
COO,
Incuto
