Powered by Lexis+®
Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts
View More View Less
Key definition
Financial Ombudsman Service definition

What does Financial Ombudsman Service mean? The Financial ombudsman Service (FOS) is the UK’s independent statutory alternative dispute resolution service for complaints by consumers and certain small organisations against FCA- and PRA-regulated financial services firms. It provides a free, informal forum to resolve banking, insurance, investment and pensions disputes without court proceedings. FOS operates the compulsory ombudsman scheme created by the financial services and markets act 2000, with scope, eligibility and procedure set mainly in the FCA Handbook (DISP) and supplemented by the Payment Services and Electronic Money Regulations and consumer credit legislation. Complaints are usually referred after a firm’s internal process has concluded, within...

Read More Right Arrow

FOS compulsory jurisdiction in the UK: scope, territorial reach and activities (payment services, e‑money, CBTL, claims management, credit reference agencies, finance platforms), with key transitional provisions and case law

Practice notes
imgtext

The compulsory jurisdiction of the financial ombudsman service (FOS)

Set out in Chapter 2 of the FCA’s Dispute Resolution: Complaints Sourcebook (DISP), and made under section 226 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA 2000), the compulsory jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) requires that complaint about an act or omission by a person (the respondent) in carrying on an activity to which compulsory jurisdiction applies is considered under the FOS scheme, provided certain criteria are satisfied and the complaint meets those conditions. The conditions are that the following apply:

  • the complainant is eligible and wishes the complaint to be considered under the FOS scheme
  • the respondent was an authorised person at the time of the relevant act or omission, and
  • the relevant act or omission occurred when compulsory jurisdiction rules were in force for the activity concerned

The compulsory jurisdiction rules are those made by the FCA (in DISP 2) for the purposes of FSMA 2000, s 226, which specify the activities to which compulsory jurisdiction applies in relation to the activity in question. Prior to the FSMA 2000 (Transitional Provisions) (ombudsman Scheme and Complaints Scheme) Order 2001, SI 2001/2326 (the Ombudsman Transitional Order)...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.
Honor Levy
Honor Levy

Honor previously worked as a solicitor in the Enforcement Division of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Whilst at the FCA, she also worked as an investigator in many regulatory investigations, specialising in investigating breaches of the FCA’s rules and regulations by retail firms and their directors. Prior to joining the FCA, Honor was an associate in the General Commercial Litigation department at SJ Berwin LLP, handling a wide range of litigation cases, including representing financial institutions and directors who were subject to regulatory investigations and enforcement actions....

Web page updated on 21/05/2026

Popular documents

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Read More Right Arrow

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Read More Right Arrow

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Read More Right Arrow

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...

Read More Right Arrow