UK Regulatory

Clifford Chance LLP (SRA number 447778), Clifford Chance Newcastle Limited (SRA number 174208) and CC Worldwide Limited (SRA number 439960) - together, Clifford Chance - are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

The Law Society of England and Wales is the designated professional body for the purposes of the Financial Services and Market Act 2000 (see below) but responsibility for regulation and complaints handling has been separated from the Law Society's representative function. The SRA is the independent regulatory body and the Legal Ombudsman is the independent complaints handling body.

UK VAT registration number: GB 893 470 882.

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000

Insurance distribution

Clifford Chance is not authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. However, we are included on the Register maintained by the Financial Conduct Authority so that we can carry on insurance distribution activity in the UK, which is broadly the advising on, selling and administration of insurance contracts. This part of our business, including arrangements for complaints or redress if something goes wrong, is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The Register can be accessed via the Financial Conduct Authority website.

Investment transactions

Clifford Chance is not authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 but we are able in certain circumstances to offer a limited range of investment services to clients because we are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. We can provide these investment services if they are an incidental part of the professional services we have been engaged to provide.

Nothing we say or do should be construed as an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activities, nor as advice on the investment merits of acquiring or disposing of particular investments.

Interest on money held for clients

Our policy, where we hold money on account for a client, or for a person funding all or part of a client's fees, or for a trust, is as follows: amounts of or in excess of £50,000 are placed on a separate interest bearing deposit deal (subject to bank acceptance) and the full interest earned is paid out; amounts of less than £50,000 are kept in our main general client account and interest earned over £250 (calculated on the basis of the standard bank rate) will be paid out. Interest will not be paid in relation to funds held in client account for unpaid professional disbursements and supplier refunds, unless in exceptional circumstances.

Exchange rate gains and losses

Clifford Chance will apply the foreign currency exchange rate as stated on our invoice; however, where changes in foreign currency exchange rates mean that the amount we have charged you for professional fees and/or professional disbursements is greater than the amount ultimately settled in that foreign currency, any difference will be retained by us. Equally, where the exchange rates mean that the amount we have charged you is less than the amount ultimately settled, no further payment will be required from you.

Non-judicial dispute resolution procedures (see also "Complaints procedure" on Complaints page)

If at any point you become unhappy or concerned about the service that the Firm has provided, and you would like to make a complaint, then please contact the partner responsible for your matter or your relationship partner who will be happy discuss the matter with you. If you are still dissatisfied, then you may invoke the Firms complaints handling procedure, which you can read here. You will not be charged for the handling of your complaint.

If the matter is still not resolved, you may be entitled to ask the Legal Ombudsman to consider the complaint. The Legal Ombudsman investigates complaints about service issues with lawyers. The Legal Ombudsman expects complaints to be made to them within one year of the date of the act or omission about which you are concerned or within one year of you realising there was a concern. You must also refer your concerns to the Legal Ombudsman within six months of our final response to you. Details on how to contact the Legal Ombudsman and further information can be found at https://www.legalombudsman.org.uk/.

In addition, complaints (such as reporting someone's behaviour) may be made to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). See www.sra.org.uk/consumers/problems/report-solicitor.page for more details.

Clifford Chance Newcastle Limited

Clifford Chance Newcastle Limited is registered in England & Wales under number 511097. Its registered office is at The Lumen, St James Boulevard Newcastle Helix Newcastle upon Tyne.

NE4 5BZ CC Worldwide Limited

CC Worldwide Limited is registered in England & Wales under number 05663642. Its registered office is at 10 Upper Bank Street, London, E14 5JJ.