Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
CASE STUDY

“I'm able to do more in the day, which means I'm providing more value to my clients - and it's helped my margins in terms of how much I can bill. LexisNexis is helping me make money.”

ParrisWhittaker

Access all documents on Stand-by letter of credit

Stand-by letter of credit meaning

What does Stand-by letter of credit mean?
In practice, a standby letter of credit (SBLC) is a bank’s irrevocable, on-demand undertaking to pay a named beneficiary if the applicant defaults, triggered by presentation of a compliant demand and any stipulated documents. It is used as performance and payment security in construction, trade, project finance, real estate and procurement. An SBLC operates independently of the underlying contract: the bank’s obligation is documentary, not factual, and is generally unaffected by disputes between applicant and beneficiary. Courts recognise a narrow fraud/illegality exception to payment. These autonomy principles are well established in case law on letters of credit and demand guarantees; there is no general statutory definition. SBLCs are commonly issued subject to ICC rules (UCP 600 or ISP98), alongside the chosen governing law. Across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, usage and legal treatment are broadly consistent: courts rarely restrain calls absent clear fraud or illegality, and emphasise the reliability of bank payment undertakings in commerce. Key features include a stated amount, expiry or evergreen renewal, possible confirmation by another bank, transferability if expressly provided, and reimbursement obligations owed by the applicant to the issuing bank (often secured). SBLCs are closely related to on-demand guarantees/performance bonds.
Speed up all aspects of your legal work with tools that help you to work faster and smarter. Win cases, close deals and grow your business–all whilst saving time and reducing risk.

View the related Checklists about Stand-by letter of credit

CHECKLISTS
MTN Programme Establishment and Issuance: Timeline, Responsibilities, Key Documents, Prospectus Approval, Listing, Clearing and Settlement

For further details on the documents outlined below, please refer to Practice Note: Issuing debt securities—key documentation. Appointment of the arranger The issuer (Issuer) designates an arranger (Arranger) to set up the programme. The Arranger may additionally serve as a dealer or manager for later note issues under the programme. Responsibility —Issuer and Arranger. Appointment of the dealers The dealer(s) (Dealers) will enter into a dealer agreement with the Issuer and the Arranger. For a syndicated issue, the Dealers and the Issuer may also sign a subscription agreement. New dealers may be added to the programme after launch via a dealer accession letter. Responsibility —Dealers, Arranger and the Issuer. Appointment of the agents The Issuer will appoint agents to act on its behalf for the programme. These may include a fiscal agent (Fiscal Agent) or a trustee (appointed by the Issuer to represent the interests of the noteholders),...

Read More Right Arrow
CHECKLISTS
UK B2B commercial contracts: checklist and drafting guide to key risk-management clauses for suppliers and customers

Introduction When contracting in a business-to-business setting, aim to secure as much contractual protection as your negotiating position allows. This checklist explains how key clauses can control risk and safeguard businesses-whether you are a supplier or a customer-and how to negotiate them to extract the greatest benefit... Key provisions General comments Payment Payment security Confirm the financial stability of the party you are buying from or selling to by carrying out a credit check. Decide if a payment safeguard is needed, for example: a parent company guarantee a letter of credit or a bank performance bond Customer Will the customer be able to honour its payment commitments? Consider obtaining credit insurance, and continue to run credit checks throughout the life of the contract to manage overall exposure to financial risk... Supplier Is the supplier financially capable of meeting your supply demands... Payment terms...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related News about Stand-by letter of credit

NEWS
UK, EU and international financial services weekly regulatory roundup: prudential, conduct, markets, derivatives, payments, ESG, crypto and enforcement—key FCA, PRA, BoE, ESMA actions—week of 4 December 2025

In this issue: UK, EU and international regulators and bodies Authorisation, approval and supervision Prudential requirements Financial crime and sanctions Consumer protection Complaints, compensation and claims management Investigations, enforcement and discipline Regulation of capital markets Dispute resolution for financial services lawyers Regulation of derivatives Sustainable finance and ESG Banks and mutuals UK MiFID II EU MiFID II Consumer credit Regulation of insurance Payment services and systems Fintech and cryptoassets LexTalk®Financial Services: a Lexis®Nexis community Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary UK, EU and international regulators and bodies FCA publishes Handbook Notice No 135 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has issued Handbook Notice No 134, outlining amendments to the FCA Handbook and related materials approved by the FCA board on 27 November 2025. See: LNB News 28/11/2025 48. ESMA sets out planned consultations for...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
UK and EU financial services regulatory and enforcement round-up—authorisations, prudential, AML and sanctions, markets, EMIR, payments, open banking, crypto, FOS and FCA updates—14 August 2025

In this issue: Authorisation, approval and supervision Prudential requirements Risk management and controls Financial crime and sanctions Complaints, compensation and claims management Investigations, enforcement and discipline Regulation of capital markets Regulation of derivatives Banks and mutuals Consumer credit, mortgage and home finance Payment services and systems International—financial services and related sectors Fintech and cryptoassets LexTalk®Financial Services: a Lexis®Nexis community Financial Services Enforcement Database Daily and weekly news alerts Intraday news alerts New and updated content Dates for your diary Authorisation, approval and supervision HM Treasury issues a policy statement describing its intended approach to the regulation of Appointed Representatives within UK financial services. The paper suggests targeted adjustments to enhance oversight and bolster consumer protection, while preserving the regime’s function in fostering competition and innovation. See: LNB News 11/08/2025 28. The Financial Conduct Authority has updated its Conduct Rules webpage to clarify...

Read More Right Arrow
NEWS
Local government weekly legal highlights: devolution, planning and housing reforms; social care and education; procurement; healthcare reorganisation; key case law and statutory instruments — week ending 26 March 2026

In this issue: Local government reorganisation Public procurement Planning Social housing Adult social care Children’s social care Education Governance Local government finance Healthcare Highways Environmental law and climate change Daily and weekly news alerts New and updated content Local government reorganisation MHCLG publishes decisions on local government reorganisation The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has issued an update letter confirming that no determination has yet been reached on proposals for local government reorganisation in East Sussex and Brighton and Hove, with further assessment ongoing before arrangements are finalised. MHCLG has also released consultation findings and letters confirming implementation in devolution priority areas to create: five unitary councils in Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock, five unitary councils (option 1A) in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, and three unitary councils in each of Norfolk and Suffolk. Council...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Practice Notes about Stand-by letter of credit

PRACTICE NOTES
2022 appeal round-up and tracker: key civil litigation decisions and forthcoming Supreme Court cases (England and Wales)

Practice Note This Practice Note consists of two strands created to help dispute resolution practitioners remain up to date with developments in case law that affect their field, or which influence civil litigation procedure more generally: selected forthcoming appeals to the Supreme Court are highlighted below; see Key forthcoming appeals to the Supreme Court—2022 summaries of significant appeal decisions in England and Wales (ie rulings of the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and, where appropriate, certain judgments of the Competition Appeal Tribunal, Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, Court of Justice of the European Union), and ECtHR, which we have covered; see: Key forthcoming appeal cases—2022 You can navigate this content using the table of contents in the left-hand margin. Alternatively, search this tracker using [CTRL]+[F]. This material is not intended to be a comprehensive register of every appeal or major decision relevant to dispute resolution practitioners. Key forthcoming appeals to the Supreme Court—2022 Tort and negligence ...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
UK regulation of crowdfunding platforms: FCA authorisation, investment and P2P models, financial promotions, prospectus exemptions, CIS/AIFs, CONC/SYSC/COBS/MCOB, payment services, and EU ECSP regime

Scope of this Practice Note This Practice Note examines the UK regulatory considerations encountered by crowdfunding platforms from a financial services standpoint. It ought to be read in conjunction with the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA 2000), together with relevant secondary legislation, and regulatory rules and guidance, including, in particular, provisions within the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Handbook and the FCA’s webpage devoted to crowdfunding. This Note briefly outlines initiatives at EU level in relation to regulating crowdfunding, which are discussed in detail in Practice Note EU Regulation of crowdfunding—the ECSP Regulation and the MiFID II Crowdfunding Directive. Crowdfunding (sometimes referred to as 'crowd sourcing' or 'crowd financing') operates on the basis that individuals seeking capital, such as entrepreneurs, present ventures or businesses on an online platform, and members of the public contribute funds through that platform. There is no ceiling on an individual contribution; however, unlike more established fundraising methods, many platforms enable participants to put in as little as £10. Typically, the entrepreneur will be...

Read More Right Arrow
PRACTICE NOTES
Ancillary facilities via RCFs under LMA SFAs in acquisition finance: structure, terms, repayment, pro rata sharing, documentation, and links to hedging and third-party banking facilities

Acquisition finance transactions In an acquisition finance transaction, beyond the debt—whether constituted by loans or bonds—needed to finance the deal, the borrower group will commonly require additional banking facilities. These might include, for example, an overdraft, a stand-by letter of credit facility or a foreign exchange facility, and can frequently all be delivered under the umbrella of a revolving credit facility (RCF) in the senior facilities agreement (SFA). The RCF will usually be capable of being drawn in three distinct ways: in cash (by way of revolving loans) as syndicated, non-cash facilities, eg letters of credit—these will be identified in the documentation; and in the form of bilateral lines known as ancillary facilities Unlike a revolving credit facility drawn in cash, ancillary facilities are not typically of a kind that lends itself to division amongst several lenders, so the documentation caters for their provision on a bilateral basis. For more on the revolving credit facility, in particular how revolving loans...

Read More Right Arrow

View the related Precedents about Stand-by letter of credit

PRECEDENTS
Ireland-Bilateral facility: lender-to-borrower conditions precedent satisfaction letter, attaching legal advisers’ confirmation; includes waiver options, governing law and jurisdiction provisions.

Conditions precedent satisfaction letter-lender to borrower This precedent conditions precedent satisfaction letter is designed for use by a lender under a bilateral facility, under which the lender must state in writing to the borrower when every documentary condition precedent to lending has been fulfilled, or alternatively, has been waived. In this conditions precedent satisfaction letter, the lender’s confirmation to the borrower regarding the documentary conditions precedent is grounded in a written confirmation supplied by the lender’s legal advisers, and that legal advisers’ confirmation should be included with the letter as an appendix. See Precedent: Ireland-Conditions precedent satisfaction letter: for a bilateral facility agreement-lender’s lawyer to lender. That approach represents the usual procedure. Addressee of letter The conditions precedent satisfaction letter assumes the lender is to confirm satisfaction of the documentary conditions precedent directly to the borrower. That is the standard position; however, it may differ where there is more than one borrower, or where other obligors participate in the facility. You should review the terms of your...

Read More Right Arrow
PRECEDENTS
Indicative bilateral term loan term sheet for single limited company borrower, with optional security and/or guarantee (England and Wales law)

Term sheet for a bilateral facility for a borrower incorporated as a limited liability company in England and Wales with or without security/a guarantee In relation to a proposed £[ • ] term loan facility to be made available to [ insert name of borrower ] by [ insert name of lender ] (the Parties). Date [ • ] 20[ • ] This term sheet is for indicative purposes only and serves as a guide to the provisions expected to appear in the final documentation. It does not constitute an offer to provide the facility. Availability of the facility remains subject to satisfactory due diligence, approval by the credit committee, and acceptable final documentation. The terms set out in this letter are not comprehensive and, [ save for [] ], are subject to contract and are not intended to create legally binding obligations on the Parties...

Read More Right Arrow
PRECEDENTS
Precedent: payment by irrevocable, confirmed letter of credit (sight) with specified documentary conditions (invoice, bill of lading/air waybill, insurance, packing list, inspection certificate, export licence)

1 Payment by letter of credit 1.1 Within [ insert figure, eg 21 ] days, the Buyer shall establish an irrevocable letter of credit with [ insert name of issuing bank ], confirmed by [ insert name of secondary bank ], in favour of [ insert legal name of seller's bank ], payable at sight upon presentation of: 1.1.1 a signed commercial invoice for the Goods; 1.1.2 [ a clean on board bill of lading for the Goods OR [ insert details of transport document or airway bill ] ]; 1.1.3 [ an inspection certification; ] 1.1.4 [ a packing list for the Goods; ] 1.1.5 an insurance certificate [ insert details eg all risks ]; 1.1.6 [ an export licence for the Goods; ] 1.1.7 [ [ insert details of other documents or certificates that must be produced ]. ] ...

Read More Right Arrow