Arch lawyers attack COBS rules on final day

Carmen Reichman
clock

Lawyers representing Arch Financial Products (AFP) directors Robin Farrell and Robert Addison today suggested regulatory rules in place at the time their clients are accused of acting "recklessly" in managing the CF Arch cru fund range were unclear.

Paul Stanley QC of Essex Court Chambers said the Financial Services Authority (FSA) failed to provide the necessary guidance on how firms should manage conflicts of interest. The judge in the Upper Tribunal hearing, Tim Herrington, should take this lack of clarity into account when determining whether the FSA was right to fine and ban Farrell and Addison in 2012, Stanley said. Farrell and Addison were banned from financial services and fined a combined £850,000 by the FSA for failings related to their management of the Arch cru fund range between June 2006 and March 2009. They acte...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

Most funds set to see reporting reduction under latest FCA proposals

Most funds set to see reporting reduction under latest FCA proposals

FRAME structure

Michael Nelson
clock 14 July 2026 • 3 min read
FCA consults on simplifying consumer investment disclosures

FCA consults on simplifying consumer investment disclosures

Aligning MiFID and CCI

Michael Nelson
clock 02 July 2026 • 3 min read
Oberon Investments agrees to FCA restrictions on wealth management arm

Oberon Investments agrees to FCA restrictions on wealth management arm

Onboarding subject to permission amid systems and controls review

Jen Frost
clock 14 April 2026 • 1 min read