Related provisions for SYSC 22.3.2
1 - 12 of 12 items.
(1) 1This rule applies when: (a) an SMCR firm2 (A) would otherwise have to ask another person (B) for a reference under SYSC 22.2.1R; and(b) A and B are in the same group. (2) A need not ask for a reference from B if there are adequate arrangements in place under which A has access to the same information sources as B to the extent that they are relevant to things A has to ask B under SYSC 22.2.1R (Obligation to obtain references).(3) If A only has access to some of the information
The Glossary definition of employer covers more than just a conventional employer and so it may not always be obvious who a person’semployer is. Therefore an SMCR firm2 appointing someone to a position that requires a reference may have to get the employee’s help in identifying their previous employers.
(1) SYSC 22.2.1R (Obligation of an SMCR firm2 to try to obtain a reference) applies even if the ex-employer is not a firm.(2) An SMCR firm2 should take all reasonable steps to try to obtain the reference in these circumstances. However, the FCA accepts that the previous employer may not be willing to give sufficient information.
(1) SYSC 22.2.1R (Obligation of an SMCR firm2 to try to obtain a reference) applies even if the employer has already got a reference for the employee. For example:(a) an SMCR firm2 should have a reference whenever it renews the certificate of a certification employee; and(b) changing jobs within the same SMCR firm2 may require a reference. (2) However, the SMCR firm2 does not necessarily need to obtain a new reference each time (a) or (b) above occurs. That is because an existing
(1) If an SMCR firm2 (A): (a) appoints someone (P) to a certification function2 or an approved person position;(b) obtains a reference from an ex-employer (B); and(c) later wishes to: (i) appoint P to another certification function2 or approved person position; or(ii) keep P in the same certification function2 but make a change in P’s role of the type described in SYSC 27.2.15G (major changes in role), whether that change is made at a time when the certificate has not yet come
If:(1) a firm (A) appoints someone (P) to a certification function2 or approved person position;(2) A obtains a reference from an ex-employer (B); (3) later P transfers to a certification function2 or an approved person position with an SMCR firm2 in A’s group (C); (4) B’s reference is:(a) addressed to all firms in A’s group; or(b) otherwise drafted so that it is clear that C may rely on it; and(5) C does not need to ask for the reference to be reissued or amended, taking account
(1) Although this chapter (see SYSC 22.2.3R) only requires an SMCR firm2 to try to get a reference for a person it is recruiting to perform an FCA controlled function or a PRA controlled function towards the end of the application process, the FCA would normally expect a firm to have obtained the reference before the application for approval is made. (2) The main examples of circumstances in which it would be reasonable for a firm to delay getting a reference are where asking
1SYSC 22 Annex 1R (Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms2 and disclosure requirements) has two purposes:(1) to set out what information an SMCR firm2 should disclose under SYSC 22.2.2R(4); and(2) to provide a template that an SMCR firm2 should use when giving a reference under this chapter.
(1) An SMCR firm2 must use the template in Part One of SYSC 22 Annex 1R (Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms2 and disclosure requirements) when giving a reference under this chapter to another firm (A). (2) A firm may make minor changes to the format of the template in Part One of SYSC 22 Annex 1R when giving a reference under this chapter, provided that the reference includes all the information required by SYSC 22 Annex 1R. (3) This rule applies even if A
(1) SYSC 22.4.2R does not stop an SMCR firm2 including matters in the reference not required by the template in SYSC 22 Annex 1R. (2) An SMCR firm2 may include the material required by the template and additional material in the same document.(3) Any additional material should not alter the scope of any of the questions in the templates.
(1) 1APER does not apply to FCA-approved persons of SMCR firms3. COCON applies instead. 3222(2) However, APER applies to approved persons approved to perform a controlled function under SUP 10A.1.15R to SUP 10A.1.16BR (appointed representatives3) even if the appointed representative'sprincipal is an SMCR firm3.
Table: Examples of what activities APER3 covers
FCA approved |
Coverage of APER3 |
(1) Yes, in relation to firm A |
Applies to the FCA controlled function. Also applies to any other function performed for firm A in relation to the carrying on by firm A of a regulated activity even if it is not a controlled function.3 |
In relation to firm A, the answer is the same as for scenario (1). However, APER does not apply to any function that the approved person carries on in relation to firm B even if that function relates to regulated activities carried out by firm B. However, if the function that they perform3 in relation to firm B is a controlled function the approved person and firm B may be subject to legal sanctions (see SUP 10A.13.1G to SUP 10A.13.2G).3 |
(1) A person may be an approved person in relation to more than one firm. When that is the case, APER applies in relation to all those firms.1(2) APER does not apply if the firm is an SMCR firm3, except for approved persons of an appointed representative of an SMCR firm3.12(3) If a person is an approved person of a firm (A) that is not an SMCR firm3and also of another firm (B) that is an SMCR firm3, the result is: 122(a) APER applies to the approved person in relation to firm
(1) If an SMCR firm2 (A) is considering:1(a) permitting or appointing someone (P) to perform a controlled function; or(b) issuing a certificate under the certification regime for P;(as explained in more detail in rows (A) and (B) of the table in SYSC 22.2.3R), A must take reasonable steps to obtain appropriate references from: (c) P’s current employer; and(d) anyone who has been P’s employer in the past six years.(2) A must take reasonable steps to obtain the reference before
(1) A firm (B) must provide a reference to another firm (A) as soon as reasonably practicable if:(a) A is considering:(i) permitting or appointing someone (P) to perform a controlled function; or(ii) issuing a certificate under the certification regime for P; or(iii) appointing P to another position in the table in SYSC 22.2.3R; (as explained in more detail in the table in SYSC 22.2.3R);(b) A makes a request, for a reference or other information in respect of P from B, in B’s
If at any time:(1) an SMCR firm2 (B) has given a reference under SYSC 22.2.2R to another firm (A) about an employee or ex-employee of B (P);(2) B was also an SMCR firm2 when it gave the reference in (1);(3) either of the following applies:(a) B is aware of matters or circumstances that mean that if B had been aware of them when giving that reference, this chapter would have required B to draft the reference differently; or(b) the following applies:(i) B has since giving the reference
If at any time:(1) an SMCR firm2 (B) has given a reference under SYSC 22.2.2R to another firm (A) about an employee or ex-employee of B (P);(2) B asks A whether P is still an employee of A; and(3) B gave A the reference no more than six years ago;A must answer that question as soon as reasonably practicable, even if B does not tell A why it wants to know that information.
Table: To whom does COCON apply? 9
9Persons to whom COCON applies |
Comments9 |
(1) An SMF manager.9 |
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(2) An employee (“P”) of an SMCR firm12 who:9 (a) performs the function of an SMF manager;9 (b) is not an approved person to perform the function in question; and9 (c) is required to be an approved person at the time P performs that function.9 |
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(3) An employee of an SMCR firm12 who would be performing an FCA-designated senior management function12 but for SUP 10C.3.13R (The 12-week rule). 9 |
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(4) A certification employee of an SMCR firm12.9 |
This applies even if the certification employee has not been notified that COCON applies to them or notified of the rules that apply to them.9 |
(5) An employee of an SMCR firm who would be performing an FCA certification function but for SYSC 27.5.1R (Emergency appointments) or SYSC 27.5.3R (Temporary12 UK role). 9 12 |
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(6) Any employee of an SMCR firm12 not coming within another row of this table, except one listed in column (2) of this row (6) of this table12. 9 |
(A)12 This row (6)12 does not apply to an employee of an SMCR firm12 who only performs functions falling within the scope of the following roles:9 (a) receptionists; (b) switchboard operators; (c) post room staff; (d) reprographics/print room staff; (e) property/facilities management; (f) events management; (g) security guards; (h) invoice processing; (i) audio visual technicians; (j) vending machine staff; (k) medical staff; (l) archive records management; (m) drivers; (n) corporate social responsibility staff; (o) data controllers or processors under the data protection legislation;10 (p) cleaners; (q) catering staff; (r) personal assistant or secretary; (s) information technology support (ie, helpdesk); and (t) human resources administrators /processors. (B) This row (6) also does not apply to an employee of an SMCR insurance firm until 10 December 2019.12 |
(7) [deleted]12 9 |
9 |
(8) A board director of: a UK SMCR firm.12 9999 |
9 |
| 9 | |
(1) More than one of12COCON 1.1.6R to12COCON 1.1.7AR12 may apply to the same individual performing several roles.(2) For example, say that an individual (A) is an approved person for firm X and is employed by firm Y in a role that does not involve a controlled function or being a director.1242(3) COCON 1.1.6R applies to A’s role with firm X and COCON 1.1.7R applies to A’s role with firm Y.
(1) This rule applies to members of a firm’sconduct rules staff apart from conduct rules staff in COCON 1.1.9R. 6522(2) Subject to (3), COCON only applies to the conduct of persons to whom this rule applies (as set out in (1)) if that conduct:6(a) 6is performed from an establishment maintained in the United Kingdom by the SMCR firm; or12(b) 6involves dealing with a client of the firm in the United Kingdom from an establishment overseas.5(3) 6Paragraph (2)(b) only applies to a
(1) An SMCR firm2 must arrange for orderly records to be created and kept that are sufficient to enable it to comply with the requirements of this chapter.1(2) This rule only applies to records in relation to the following questions in Part One of SYSC 22 Annex 1R (Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms2 and disclosure requirements): (a) question (E) (fit and proper); and (b) question (F) (disciplinary action).
(1) SYSC 22.9.1R applies to keeping records created before the date this chapter came into force as well as ones created afterwards.(2) An SMCR firm2 does not breach the requirements of this chapter by failing to include something in a reference or by failing to have records2 because it destroyed the relevant records before the date this chapter came into force in accordance with the record keeping requirements applicable to it at the time of destruction.(3) (1) also applies to
If:(1) a firm (A) is thinking of employing someone (P);(2) P is employed by a group services company (D) that is not a firm; (3) P (in their capacity as an employee of D) performs a function or service for a firm (B) in the same group as D such that P is also an employee of B; and(4) A intends to appoint (P) to a position that entitles A to obtain a reference from B;then: (5) (if A is an SMCR firm2) A should ask both B and D for a reference;(6) B is obliged to give the reference
If:(1) a firm (A) is thinking of appointing someone (P) to a position that entitles A to obtain a reference from another firm (B); and (2) P was an employee of other members of B’s group as well as of B;then:(3) (if A is an SMCR firm2) A should ask all the group members that employed P for a reference; (4) B should give a reference if A asks it to (whether or not A is an SMCR firm2);(5) P’s employers in that group (including any that are not firms) may give a single joint reference;
(1) If a firm has taken disciplinary action of the type referred to in question (F) in Part One of SYSC 22 Annex 1R (Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms2 and disclosure requirements) against an employee and is asked to give a reference about that employee, the firm should (if it has not already done so) consider whether the basis on which it took that action amounts to a breach of any individual conduct requirements covered by question (F). (2) If the firm decides
(1) SYSC 22.2.2R(1) to (3) may require an SMCR firm2 to disclose information that goes beyond the mandatory minimum information in Part One of SYSC 22 Annex 1R (Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms2 and disclosure requirements).(2) This may mean, for instance, that a firm should in some cases disclose a conclusion that an employee or former employee has breached COCON or APER where that conclusion was reached outside the time limits in Part One of SYSC 22 Annex
(1) An example of information that may be relevant under SYSC 22.2.2R(1) to (3) is the fact that the employee has breached a requirement in APER.(2) This means that any firm (not just one that is an SMCR firm2) should consider whether it needs to disclose a breach of individual conduct requirements (as defined in Part Two of SYSC 22 Annex 1R (Template for regulatory references given by SMCR firms and disclosure requirements))2 when giving a reference under this chapter.
21The provisions in SYSC should be read in conjunction with GEN 2.2.23 R to GEN 2.2.25 G. In particular:(1) [deleted]9(2) Provisions made by the FCA, and by the9PRA in the PRA Rulebook,9 may be applied by both regulators to PRA-authorised persons. Such provisions are applied by each regulator to the extent of its powers and regulatory responsibilities.95(3) 5For Solvency II firms, the FCA considers that the requirements and guidance14 in Chapters 2, 3, 12 to 18,11 19F.2,14 21,