Eversheds International

Investment Funds and Asset Management

Introduction

Our financial services group is regarded as one of the leading advisers to the investment funds and asset management sector.

We are one of the largest City teams focusing on fund management and financial services regulation, covering the full spectrum of institutional, retail and alternative investment funds and the regulation governing the managers of such funds.

We offer specialist expertise on the full range of retail services regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). We advise on regulatory and compliance matters, including enforcement procedures, and have extensive experience in advising investment managers, life insurers, mortgage lenders and pension providers on their products and services and the regulations under which they operate.

Our dedicated team currently comprises 28 lawyers, including seven partners, who provide strategic advice and product expertise as well as general legal advice. We also have a specialist dedicated tax lawyer who understands the needs and challenges of the industry and the commercial drivers of its players.

Having been at the forefront of investment fund product development and regulatory interpretation for the industry since the 1960s, we bring an innovative and proactive approach in working with our clients. We are involved at the highest level in the industry helping shape regulation. We were retained by the FSA to work with them on the COLL Sourcebook. Changes to the Stamp Duty Land Tax regime generated unforeseen, adverse consequences for both open-ended property limited partnerships and property development projects more generally, and we were involved with HM Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs. We were also consulted individually by HM Revenue & Customs and HM Treasury on the issues arising on Property Authorised Investment funds including commentary on the new draft legislation; we were one of only a handful of organisations consulted.

In recognition of the breath of expertise of the team, its broad experience and established market presence, the team won the Funds Management Team of the year category at the Financial News Legal Awards - Europe 2007. The award recognises excellence in the provision of accurate and commercial legal advice by those working in private practice (and is unique in that winners are voted for by both clients and other City corporate finance intermediaries).