Market Abuse in the UK – Don’t Even Think About It

Markets only work if people believe the game isn’t rigged. If share prices are being nudged up by whispers in the pub or knocked down by spoof trades in New York, trust crumbles. And that’s where the UK market abuse regime comes into play – a bundle of rules that basically say, “Play fair, or the FCA will make your life miserable.”

It’s not just companies that need to watch themselves – investors, brokers, advisers, and even the loose lipped friend who “accidentally” leaks a takeover tip are on the hook too. And because these rules overlap with criminal law, the consequences can stretch from a fine that’s barely more than a slap on the wrist to time behind bars. So, what exactly are these rules, and who must follow them?