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Professional client meaning

What does Professional client mean?
In financial services practice, a professional client is a client categorised by an investment firm as sufficiently experienced and knowledgeable to make its own investment decisions and understand the risks, so that a lighter conduct‑of‑business regime applies than for retail clients. The term is defined in legislation. In Ireland it follows Annex II to Directive 2014/65/EU (MiFID II), as implemented by national regulations. In the UK it is carried through retained EU law and the FCA Handbook (notably COBS 3) under the onshored MiFID regime. Usage is consistent across England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are two routes: - Per se professional clients (for example, authorised or regulated financial institutions and certain large undertakings). - Elective professional clients (opt‑up), where the firm conducts a qualitative assessment and the client meets quantitative thresholds set out in Annex II. The firm must give prescribed written warnings and obtain the client’s written confirmation. Professional clients typically receive reduced regulatory protections compared with retail clients (for example, modified information, appropriateness/suitability and reporting requirements), though core duties such as acting honestly, fairly and professionally and best execution still apply. A client may request to be treated as a retail client (opt‑down), and eligible counterparty status...
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View the related Checklists about Professional client

CHECKLISTS
Arbitration funding and third-party finance: practitioner checklist on options, funder engagement, confidentiality, champerty, disclosure and security for costs

When considering an arbitration, you should consider: how the dispute will be financed and managed overall can the client realistically cover your professional fees together with the arbitration expenses? could another party or source be prepared to pick up the entire bill? is any relevant insurance already in place and available? would after-the-event insurance cover be an appropriate option? might your firm accept a conditional fee arrangement, a damages-based agreement, or some other funding structure? See Funding Arrangements—Overview (note: this link is not arbitration-specific) is the client open to exploring third-party funding? ...

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CHECKLISTS
Internal investigations into suspected offences: planning checklist for governance, scope, privilege, data protection, regulators, SARs, insurers and communications

Checklist This checklist sets out principal matters to address when launching an internal inquiry into suspected criminal conduct. For fuller guidance, see Practice Note: How to plan and conduct an internal investigation. What is the purpose of the investigation? Prioritise fact-finding over determining liability. What is the scope of the investigation? Create clear terms of reference. Decide who should undertake the investigation and assign roles within the investigation. If Board members will be involved, verify whether a board resolution is required to authorise this. Take legal advice on likely Legal Professional Privilege (LPP) issues. Ensure the Board, or a duly constituted sub-committee, oversees the investigation and is identified as ‘the client’ in any engagement letter and/or correspondence with internal and/or external lawyers; keep written records of these decisions. If deploying internal audit, consider whether it was involved in the predicate events...

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CHECKLISTS
Charity agreements with professional fundraisers and commercial participators: drafting checklist, VAT/PAYE and statutory compliance

If a charity opts to collaborate with a professional fundraising agent or a commercial participator, it must establish an agreement whose specific terms comply with the relevant statutory obligations applicable to such arrangements in law...

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FLOWCHARTS
Law firm client proposals: 10 essential steps (flowchart)

Producing a professional, engaging and accurate proposal document is essential if you wish to have any prospect of winning business. This flowchart outlines 10 crucial steps that you should follow when drafting a proposal...

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NEWS
Dispute Resolution Weekly: CPRC reforms, junior advocacy guidance, cryptoasset injunctions, solicitor-client costs/CFA rulings, disclosure and appeals updates, consultations and key dates (England and Wales), 17 July 2025

In this issue Key DR developments Claims and remedies Costs and funding Litigation Applications—general Evidence and disclosure Appeals New content Dates for your diary Useful information Daily and weekly news alerts Key DR developments CPR Committee minutes Minutes of the CPR Committee meeting—6 June 2025: The Civil Procedure Rule Committee met on 6 June 2025 in a hybrid session at The Rolls Building (Royal Courts of Justice) and via video conference. The minutes confirm a forthcoming CPR 51 pilot enabling non-parties to obtain court documents, arising from the Supreme Court ruling in Cape Intermediate Holdings Ltd v Dring [2019] UKSC 38. They also record approved amendments to the e‑working pilot, progressing towards a permanent electronic filing system as part of ongoing court modernisation. Further topics included summary assessment of costs, arbitration updates, disclosure, civil restraint orders, closed material procedures, judicial review reforms for infrastructure projects, whiplash reforms, digital services and other procedural...

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NEWS
Oliver v Oliver: 2015 Will set aside for lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence; due execution challenge failed; 2009 Will reconstituted and admitted to probate (England and Wales)

Oliver v Oliver [2024] EWHC 2289 (Ch) What are the practical implications of this case? This judgment stands as an uncommon instance of a Will being set aside for both want of testamentary capacity and undue influence despite professional preparation, the court having the testator’s recorded instructions, and a certificate obtained from the testator’s GP. It merits close reading for its survey of authority and its demonstration of the application of legal principles in real cases, including where a defendant declines to engage with the proceedings. The court concluded that William lacked testamentary capacity after a detailed evaluation of his medical notes (including a post-mortem), expert opinion from a Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry, and witness evidence. Although a determination on undue influence was not required, the reasoning still provides a helpful illustration of a successful claim. Jane adduced substantial material evidencing Rodney’s domination of William, which encompassed restricting his contact with other relatives and influencing his medical treatment. Rodney induced William to cease his prescribed treatment and instead...

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NEWS
UK tax weekly: Centrica Supreme Court, GEFI treaty relief, JTI unallowable purpose; VAT grouping; King’s Speech; HMRC updates—18 July 2024

In this issue: Budgets and Finance Bills Companies and corporation tax Brexit and tax Real estate tax Individuals and income tax Stamp and transfer taxes VAT Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Trackers New Q&As Useful information Budgets and Finance Bills King’s Speech 2024 His Majesty the King outlined the government’s priorities, agenda and intended measures for the forthcoming parliamentary session during the State Opening of Parliament on 17 July 2024. Initial reactions from the Private Client community to the announcements have been collated. See: LNB News 17/07/2024 92. CIOT letter to the new Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury The CIOT has written to the incoming Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray MP, setting out tax matters for the new administration. See: LNB News 17/07/2024 22. Companies and corporation tax Supreme Court finds advisers’ fees were capital in...

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View the related Practice Notes about Professional client

PRACTICE NOTES
UK dispute resolution: GDPR and DPA 2018 compliance in litigation—processing, disclosure, exemptions, data minimisation, security, transfers, DPIAs, data breaches and sanctions

As of 31 January 2020, the UK left the EU and the EEA. This Practice Note introduces: the General Data Protection Regulation, Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (EU GDPR) framework (which applied within UK law up to the end of the Brexit implementation period—11 pm UK time on 31 December 2020—and continues to operate across the EEA; therefore, any references in this Practice Note to EEA or EU states should be read as also covering the UK until that period concluded) the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation, Retained Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (UK GDPR) framework (which applies under UK law from the end of the Brexit implementation period) Where there is no need to draw a distinction, this Practice Note refers to both as ‘GDPR’ for ease. When looking at the routine processing of personal data, the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) should be consulted together, as both sets of provisions have direct effect. Practitioners will generally...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Türkiye private client guide 2025: taxation (income, gains, inheritance), succession and forced heirship, non-recognition of trusts, property, capacity and immigration

Taxation regime What factors determine tax liability in your jurisdiction (eg domicile, residence or citizenship)? Türkiye’s tax landscape is intricate, operating through numerous laws, regulations, communiqués and subsequent amendments. The key legislative instruments include: Tax Procedure Law No. 213 (10 January 1961) Corporate Tax Law No. 5520 (21 June 2006) Value Added Tax Law No. 3065 (2 November 1984) Stamp Tax Law No. 488 (11 July 1964) Income Tax Law No. 193 (6 January 1961) Broadly, the Turkish Tax System is considered under three headings: (i) income taxes, such as individual income tax and corporate income tax; (ii) taxes on expenditure, including Value Added Tax (VAT), the Banking and Insurance Transactions Tax and Stamp Tax; and (iii) taxes on wealth, for example Property Tax and Inheritance and Gift Tax. For natural persons, residency, ownership of property and citizenship are key in determining which taxes apply in Türkiye. An individual’s tax burden is mainly linked to their earnings,...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Separate businesses and unbundled legal services under the SRA: reserved/non-reserved scope, referrals, informed consent, transparency, protections, conflicts, confidentiality, client money and PII (England and Wales)

The SRA Standards and Regulations allow law firms and legal service providers to organise their businesses in several formats, depending on whether they deliver reserved legal activities. Options comprise: a single SRA-regulated entity delivering both reserved and non‑reserved services an SRA‑regulated entity delivering reserved legal services, with some or all non‑reserved work carried out by a separate, non‑SRA regulated business (which, importantly, may employ SRA‑regulated solicitors) a non‑SRA regulated entity supplying only non‑reserved legal services, employing SRA‑regulated solicitors a freelance solicitor—see Practice Note: Dealing with freelance solicitors This Practice Note offers guidance to law firms on running a separate business, including allocating parts of a client matter between the law firm and the separate business, which will entail unbundling legal services. It reflects the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA 2007) and the SRA Standards and Regulations, together with separate business guidance issued by the SRA. Unless stated otherwise, references in the Practice Note to: ‘solicitor’ includes Registered European...

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PRECEDENTS
Preserving Legal Professional Privilege in Organisations: Practical Guide to Legal Advice and Litigation Privilege, Defining the Client, Labelling, Meetings, Document Management and Regulator Interactions

Legal professional privilege (LPP) is a core legal protection that permits [ insert organisation’s name ] to resist producing evidence to a third party or the court. It enables the organisation to seek expert legal guidance, setting out all pertinent facts to our legal advisers without concern that they will later be revealed and used against us. This short guide sets out what legal professional privilege (LPP) is and how we can best preserve it. 1 What is legal professional privilege? LPP is an umbrella term covering: legal advice privilege (LAP) litigation privilege LPP safeguards the confidentiality of written and verbal communications between lawyers and clients. It is a fundamental entitlement, allowing a party to withhold material from disclosure to any third party or a court. Legal advice privilege Legal advice privilege applies to all confidential communications between a client and their lawyer made for the purpose of giving or obtaining legal advice...

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PRECEDENTS
Template letter of claim to a solicitor for professional negligence and/or breach of contract under the Pre-Action Protocol (England and Wales)

[ To be printed on the claimant solicitors’ headed paper ] Our reference: [ insert your file reference for this matter ] FAO: [ CLIENT PARTNER OR SENIOR PARTNER ] [ NAME OF DEFENDANT FIRM ] [ ADDRESS LINE 1 ] [ ADDRESS LINE 2 ] [ POSTCODE ] [ DATE ] Dear [ insert name ] [ PROSPECTIVE CLAIMANT’S NAME ] AND [ PROSPECTIVE DEFENDANT’S NAME ] LETTER OF CLAIM [ We refer again to our correspondence dated [ insert date of your preliminary notice of claim, if sent ]. That correspondence comprised a preliminary notice of claim issued under the Pre-Action Protocol for Professional Negligence and required an acknowledgement by [ insert date ]. ] [ We note receipt of your letter dated [ insert date ] acknowledging receipt of the preliminary notice. [ That said, we still await confirmation that your professional insurers have been notified of the circumstances of our...

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PRECEDENTS
Law firm professional negligence policy: internal reporting, client communication controls, professional indemnity insurance notification, claims register and staff training

1 Introduction 1.1 Our goal is to deliver outstanding service to our clients. Despite our best endeavours, mistakes may on occasion occur. So far as possible, we nurture a culture without blame—any of us can make an error. 1.2 This policy describes our procedures for managing acts or omissions that may give rise to a negligence claim. 1.3 This policy applies to everyone working at any level, including partners, consultants, solicitors, and other employees (whether permanent, fixed-term or temporary), together with contractors, trainees, seconded staff, home-workers, casual staff, agency staff, interns and students, agents, sponsors, volunteers, or any other person connected with the firm wherever they are located (collectively referred to as ‘staff’ in this policy). 2 Responsibility for handling claims against the firm 2.1 [ Insert name of person nominated to receive internal claim/circumstance report forms ] is responsible for dealing with: 2.1.1 acts or omissions that might result in a negligence claim against us; 2.1.2 actual negligence claims against...

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Q&As
Service charge apportionment on early commercial lease termination: RICS Service Charges PS (1st ed.)—assistance and obligation

As a broad principle, obligation to observe or give due consideration to the Service Charge Statement rests solely with RICS members and firms regulated by RICS. Where neither the client nor its surveyors hold RICS regulation, they are under no duty to adhere to its requirements. As a practical reminder, solicitors who are not part of RICS do not have to comply with the Service Charge Statement; however, they ought to recognise that their RICS-registered clients, and/or any RICS-registered colleagues within their organisations, might still be required to comply with the Service Charge Statement...

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Q&As
Opposing Solicitor’s Misdirected Email: Client Disclosure or Deletion Notice

SRA standards and regulations Where an individual represents a client in a matter, they must ensure the client is notified of all information material to that matter that they possess, except where exceptions are applicable...

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Q&As
Discounted CFA with LEI: usual rate on success, LEI rate if not?

What is a DCFA? Most practitioners know the ‘pure’ CFA, commonly referred to as a ‘no win, no fee’ agreement. Working under a pure CFA, the lawyer or legal representative is remunerated only upon a win, as the CFA expressly defines it. If that outcome is not achieved, no fee is payable for the professional work undertaken on the matter. For additional detail, see the subtopic: CFAs and DBAs for further information. A DCFA is often described as a ‘no win, lower fee’ arrangement in contrast to the pure CFA. Under a DCFA, the client agrees to meet the lawyer’s fees in full on success; if the case fails, a reduced fee is payable to the representative. The role of success fees Success fees exist to ensure a solicitor’s portfolio of CFA-backed litigation can operate at nil net loss overall. Put differently, the success uplifts on winning matters are designed to meet the base costs that cannot be recovered on losing matters within that portfolio...

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