Insider trading

To discuss your requirements please contact Jeremy Scott on 07971520407.

Life in the financial services sector is fast-paced and complex, and the rules regarding insider trading are no different. In recent times, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has stepped up its efforts to investigate and prosecute individuals who use their position to abuse the market. Increased resources are being devoted to detecting these offences and there is clear evidence of a greater willingness on the part of the FCA to make use of both its criminal and civil powers.

As the ‘light touch’ approach, which previously characterised regulation in this area, has been replaced, it has become increasingly likely that those operating in the sector will be investigated for market abuse offences such as insider trading, even where there is little or no evidence of an intention to profit.

If you are accused of insider trading, it is important to act immediately. Market abuse offences are serious, and carry substantial penalties, including imprisonment. There are also significant reputational risks associated with such a charge. In cases like this, there are no prizes for second place. You need practical, clear, and timely advice from genuine experts in the field.

We will lead your defence, giving you the best chance of avoiding prosecution or, where that proves impossible, minimising the penalty.

If you are facing investigation for insider trading, or the police have invited you to participate in a voluntary interview, then you need the best advice, support and advocacy. We have a combined 40 years’ experience in defending clients accused of financial and regulatory offences.

We help clients overcome the most serious charges, and we know how to win, where other firms may lose. Call the expert Corporate Fraud & Business Crime Solicitors at Lupton Fawcett today.

Insider trading is a market abuse offence involving trading on the basis of inside information. The law in this area is deliberately broad, attempting to capture any behaviour which creates a false or misleading picture of the market.

An accusation of insider trading can be made if you are suspected of dealing in securities, e.g. shares, on a regulated market, or encouraging another person to deal in securities, when you have inside information about those securities.

It is also an offence to provide inside information to another person, unless it is your job to do so.

In cases as complex as those involving accusations of insider trading, you need a team on your side who will make the right decisions and ask the right questions. Our market abuse defence team has decades of experience defending companies and individuals accused of financial and regulatory offences.  We are recognised and accredited by the following organisations and publications:

We understand how the FCA works, including on the kind of complex, cross-jurisdictional investigations which it is increasingly undertaking, such as Operation Tabernula. We have networks of specialists in a variety of fields (such as forensic accountants, markets experts and overseas lawyers), which enables us to rapidly put together the team you need. Whatever situation you find yourself in, we will provide solutions.

We have built a reputation for winning cases other firms would lose. Our watchwords are confidentiality, discretion and protection.

Additionally, our knowledge and expertise in relation to the legal requirements imposed on the FCA mean we can scrutinise the case against you and identify weaknesses that can be exploited. As a result, even if avoiding prosecution is impossible, we can reduce the negative consequences.

Inside information is defined in a similar way in both the criminal and civil regimes. It is specific information about a company or a particular set of securities which has not been made public and, if it were to be made public, would significantly impact the price, not only of those specific shares, but of any securities.

Examples of possible inside information include:

It is possible for a piece of information which, on its own, would not be inside information, to fall within the definition when combined with information you already have. The law is deliberately broad, enabling the FCA to act in a wide variety of circumstances.

Classic examples of inside trading are situations where a significant member of a company buys shares in that company after learning key information about the future performance of the company. This information could, for example, be about a potential takeover bid or the development of a new piece of technology which is expected to increase the company’s profitability.

An offence would also be committed if the member of the company shared this information with someone else who acted upon it to trade in the company’s shares, knowing it was inside information.

An offence may still have been committed if inside information is disclosed with no expectation that it would be used to trade in securities. A disclosure made informally to friends, family members or work colleagues could fall under the provisions of insider trading.

Yes. You must have acquired the information from ‘inside’ the organisation for it to be ‘inside information’. This means acquiring the information from:

The information can be acquired either directly or indirectly from someone in one of these categories. 

Insider trading can be dealt with as a civil or criminal offence. The FCA could treat insider trading under the regulatory framework of the Market Abuse Regulation, which could result in a fine and / or prohibition from working in the financial services sector. Insider trading is also a criminal offence under the Criminal Justice Act, with penalties including fines and imprisonment.

There can also be significant reputational consequences. If the FCA investigates and finds evidence of market abuse, it can issue a statement confirming that an individual has been involved in insider trading. A statement like this can have a devastating effect on your career and may mean you struggle to work in the financial services sector again.

It is possible to mount a defence to a charge of insider trading on a number of grounds, including:

If you stand accused of insider trading, you need quick, clear, and accurate advice. These defences are complex and highly technical, and the consequences of the wrong strategic choice can be severe. You need an experienced, pro-active, and dynamic team in your corner from the outset. Contact us immediately if you are notified that an insider trading investigation might affect you.

Lupton Fawcett’s team of Business and Financial Crime Solicitors are highly regarded for successfully defending businesses and individuals facing investigation or prosecution for all types of fraud offences.

If you are facing an investigation for insider trading or market abuse we can provide comprehensive support, specialist legal advice, and skilful representation.

Our team is led by Jeremy Scott who has 25 years’ experience of defending clients across the full spectrum of corporate and financial crime cases so you can rest assured that whatever the circumstance are, we’ll be able to help find the optimal outcome.

At such a critical time for the reputation and future of you and your business, it is imperative that you choose the right lawyers to advise and represent you. Lupton Fawcett, ranked in The Legal 500 for Regulatory Law, is known for winning cases that other firms would lose.

Part of a nationally recognised full-service law firm, we are able to assemble a multi-disciplinary team to support you through a criminal regulatory investigation or prosecution with the utmost care.

We also understand that business has to continue as, so our approach is always highly commercial, putting business continuity at the heart of our advice and representation whenever possible.

Within every area of law, we put your interests first.

Our Insider Trading & Market Abuse Lawyers act regularly for corporate clients across England and Wales including Bradford, Birmingham, Hull, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Sheffield, York, and Nottingham.

We can support your needs wherever you live in England or Wales.

We will always respond promptly, and we will be happy to help.