Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Related legal acts

Key definition

Claim definition

What does Claim mean? In practice, a claim is a party’s demand for a remedy from a court or tribunal against another, initiated by issuing the originating process. It seeks relief such as damages, an injunction, specific performance, restitution or a declaration, and rests on an identifiable cause of action (or equivalent legal basis). The term is descriptive (not generally defined by statute) and shaped by civil procedure rules. In England and Wales, a claimant brings a claim under the CPR by claim form (Part 7 or Part 8) against a defendant. It includes counterclaims and additional claims (contribution, indemnity or set‑off). In...

Claims management companies and the FCA SM&CR: authorisation, firm classification, Senior Managers, certification, Conduct Rules, fitness and propriety, enforcement and transitional arrangements (England, Wales and Scotland)

Published by a LexisNexis Financial Services expert

Practice notes

SM&CR—essentials for claims management companies

Note: On 15 July 2025, the government unveiled the Leeds Reforms, setting out plans to streamline the SM&CR. At the same time, the PRA and FCA released consultation papers CP18/25 and CP25/21, which closed in October 2025. The regulators set out a two-stage programme of reform, with Phase Two to follow, subject to legislative changes under HM Treasury consultation. Final Phase One requirements are expected in mid-2026, with any later Phase Two consultations dependent on HMT legislation. See News Analysis: Reform of the SM&CR—Proposals and next steps.

Introduction

On 1 April 2019, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) assumed responsibility for oversight of the claims management sector from the Claims Management Regulator (CMR). As a consequence, the sector must meet the FCA’s standards on professionalism, Conduct and governance, collectively referred to as the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SM&CR). The SM&CR was extended to FCA solo-regulated firms, including claims management companies (CMCs), on 9 December 2019; for CMCs operating under a temporary permission on that date, the SM&CR applies from the point at which the CMC became fully FCA authorised. Under the SM&CR, individuals within CMCs are personally responsible for taking customers’ interests into account and for...

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

Laura Norris

Eversheds Sutherland

Laura is a Principal Associate Professional Support Lawyer (PSL) at Eversheds Sutherland in their Litigation and Dispute Management Group. In her PSL role, Laura keeps lawyers and clients at the forefront of legal and regulatory developments. She provides strategic technical advice, manages risk, and designs and delivers training for lawyers at all levels. Laura also plays a key role in supporting a number of the firm’s strategic client relationships, delivering tailored horizon scanning, briefings and bespoke training on emerging dispute risks. Laura brings significant frontline experience to her role, having spent many years acting for banks and other financial institutions on complex, high‑value disputes as well as large-scale mass claims, particularly in the consumer credit sphere. She has also substantial experience advising on and handling complaints before the Financial Ombudsman Service, and closely tracks and advises on ongoing and proposed reforms to the FOS regime and their...

Web page updated on 27/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

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

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

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...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

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 ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

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 ]...