Companies Seeking SFC Licensing

Charltons has broad experience in assisting financial intermediaries – including fund managers, corporate finance and investment advisers, and brokers – on SFC licensing approval criteria and application procedures. Our multi-disciplinary lawyers have a deep understanding of the business environments in which financial intermediaries operate.

We can advise on whether (and what type of) SFC licence is required in a particular case, whether the experience and qualifications of proposed “responsible officers” are sufficient, and identify other issues that may arise during the application process. We will also coordinate the licensing application process, including assisting corporations to draft business plans and compliance and operations manuals, working with clients to respond to queries raised by the SFC, and preparing applications for exemptions or waivers from particular licensing requirements.

Charltons offers practical advice on day-to-day SFO and SFC compliance and regulatory issues as well as assisting licensed corporations by preparing or reviewing compliance manuals, developing compliance programmes and training personnel. We also offer compliance retainer services.

Charltons also assist clients in relation to SFC investigations, enforcement and disciplinary matters. Our experience includes advising SFC licensed corporations on misconduct by employees and advising distributors and other financial intermediaries on potential unauthorized selling of investment products and carrying on “regulated activities” without proper licensing.

Charltons regularly drafts submissions on proposed changes to securities laws in Hong Kong on behalf of interested parties and industry groups. Julia Charlton also serves on a number of committees of regulatory and industry bodies. Julia Charlton was appointed to the SFC’s Takeovers Panel and Takeover Appeals Panel in October 2005 and continues to serves on these panels.