Business Law Library & Tracker

Financial Services, Credit & Payments

Credit, lending, payment services, insurance and regulated finance.

Sources last reviewed 28 July 2026

Main law guides

122

Acts, regulations and codes worth reading first

Topics

60

Plain-English clusters

Published case explainers

143

Selected cases with a business lesson

Tracked updates

11

New, amended & reviewed

Plain-English explainers, not legal advice. Use the linked official source for section-level detail, and get advice for your situation.

Get legal help

Main laws

Main lawUnited Kingdom

Insurance Act 2015

2015 c. 4

PriorityCurrent legislation7 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Contracts & CommercialRegulatory ComplianceDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & Claims
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Consumer Credit Act 1974

UKPGA 1974 c 39

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Finance, Payments & SecurityConsumer Law & TradingAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Consumer Protection Act 1987

UKPGA 1987 c 43

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Food & Product ComplianceConsumer Law & TradingProduct Safety, Labelling & RecallsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969

UKPGA 1969 c 57

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Employment & WorkplaceRegulatory ComplianceWorkplace Health & SafetyFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & Claims
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Financial Services and Markets Act 2000

UKPGA 2000 c 8

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Finance, Payments & SecurityRegulatory ComplianceAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsLicences, Permits & RegistrationsFinancial Services, Credit & Payments
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Payment Services Regulations 2017

SI 2017/752

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Finance, Payments & SecurityDigital & EcommerceLicences, Permits & RegistrationsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsStandards, Accreditation & Certification
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Proceeds of Crime Act 2002

UKPGA 2002 c 29

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Finance, Payments & SecurityRegulatory ComplianceFinancial Services, Credit & Payments
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977

UKPGA 1977 c 50

PriorityIn force4 practical checks · checked 13 June 2026
Contracts & CommercialUnfair Contract TermsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsStandards, Accreditation & Certification
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Landlord and Tenant (Covenants) Act 1995

UKPGA 1995 c 30

PriorityCurrent legislation7 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Business Sales & AcquisitionsCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
Main lawUnited Kingdom

Small Charitable Donations Act 2012

2012 c. 23

PriorityCurrent legislation12 practical checks · checked 28 July 2026
Not-for-Profits & CharitiesRegulatory ComplianceWages, Leave & PayrollBusiness Sales & AcquisitionsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsCharities, Clubs & Member Governance

Cases

UK Supreme Court[2026] UKSC 1422 Apr 2026

Bath Racecourse Ltd v Liberty Mutual Insurance Europe SE

Insurance recovery is calculated under the policy, not from headline revenue loss alone. Grants, reimbursements and avoided costs may affect the final amount. Keep...

Read explainer
Contracts & CommercialFinance, Payments & SecurityWages, Leave & PayrollDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & Claims
High Court of Justice[2026] EWHC 953 (Ch)24 Apr 2026

Pridewell Properties (London) Limited v Spirit Pub Company (Managed) Limited

If you are a landlord relying on redevelopment to oppose a new tenancy, this case shows the court will test the practical detail, not just the headline plan. It is...

Read explainer
Dismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDirectors' Duties & GovernanceShareholders & Company ControlCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsImport, Export, Sanctions & Customs
High Court of Justice[2026] EWHC 1093 (Ch)19 May 2026

The Financial Conduct Authority v Argento Wealth Limited & Anor

The lasting value of this case is practical rather than technical. If your business raises money, do not assume that a purpose clause automatically ring-fences...

Read explainer
Directors' Duties & GovernanceShareholders & Company ControlAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFranchising, Distribution & DealershipsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsStandards, Accreditation & Certification
High Court of Justice[2026] EWHC 1165 (Ch)25 Mar 2026

Zurich Insurance Company Ltd, Re

For most small businesses, this case is less about day-to-day trading and more about how regulated transfers work behind the scenes when an insurer moves a...

Read explainer
Liquidation & RestructuringRecords, Reporting & NotificationsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & Content
UK Supreme Court[2025] UKSC 187 May 2025

Bilta (UK) Ltd (in liquidation) and others v Tradition Financial Services Ltd

For ordinary businesses, the durable lesson is not about carbon trading itself. It is about counterparties, intermediaries and warning signs. If your business helps...

Read explainer
Insolvency & RestructuringDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsEnvironmental Consents & WasteImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & ContentNatural Hazards, Climate & Resilience
Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2025] EWCA Civ 65219 May 2025

Great Jackson St Estates Limited v The Council of The City of Manchester

If your project sits on leasehold land, review the lease before major planning, design and funding costs are committed. Check every clause affecting demolition,...

Read explainer
Dismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesLiquidation & RestructuringAdvertising, Marketing & PromotionsCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & Payments
UK Supreme Court[2025] UKSC 331 Aug 2025

Hopcraft v Close Brothers; Johnson and Wrench v FirstRand

Commission disclosure and customer finance journeys need careful design. Even where broad fiduciary or bribery claims fail, regulated credit fairness can still bite...

Read explainer
Finance, Payments & SecurityConsumer Law & TradingFinancial Services, Credit & Payments
High Court of Justice[2025] EWHC 2276 (Ch)4 Sept 2025

River Island Holdings Limited, Re

The practical lesson is not that every struggling business can cut leases through court process. It is that directors should act early, build evidence and compare...

Read explainer
Insolvency & RestructuringWages, Leave & PayrollDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLiquidation & RestructuringOnline Sales, Subscriptions & PlatformsCommercial Leases, Rent & OutgoingsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & ContentEquality, Discrimination & Accessibility
UK Supreme Court[2025] UKSC 2121 May 2025

URS Corporation Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd

If your business develops, designs or helps build residential property, do not assume risk ends when the units are sold or when an old six-year limitation position...

Read explainer
Regulatory ComplianceDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesWorkplace Health & SafetyDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & Content
Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2025] EWCA Civ 78324 June 2025

Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company v FW Aviation (Holdings) 1 Limited

For ordinary businesses, the durable lesson is simple: if your deal is funded by lenders or secured against key assets, do not treat the supplier or original...

Read explainer
Dismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesShareholders & Company ControlDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityLicences, Permits & RegistrationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsTransport, Shipping & LogisticsImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & Content
High Court of Justice[2025] EWHC 1722 (IPEC)11 July 2025

Wise Payments Limited v With Wise Limited & Ors

If you are choosing or changing a brand, do not stop at checking whether another business looks like a direct competitor. Map what your business actually does now,...

Read explainer
Wages, Leave & PayrollDirectors' Duties & GovernanceTrade Marks, Passing Off & BrandingCopyright, Software & Digital ContentLicences, Permits & RegistrationsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsTransport, Shipping & Logistics
High Court of Justice[2024] EWHC 2920 (KB)18 Nov 2024

Alex Not & Ors v Jaguar Land Rover Limited & Ors

For ordinary businesses, the durable lesson is less about diesel vehicles and more about how product complaints can scale. If many customers say the same product...

Read explainer
Debt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFranchising, Distribution & DealershipsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsTelecommunications, Media & Content
Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2024] EWCA Civ 110626 Sept 2024

Christine Self v Santander Cards UK Limited

For small and mid-sized businesses in consumer finance, the practical lesson is not that any standard form will always block later claims. The lesson is narrower...

Read explainer
Dismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsStandards, Accreditation & CertificationConsumer Complaints & Dispute Resolution
Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2024] EWCA Civ 128225 Oct 2024

Marcus Gervase Johnson v Firstrand Bank Limited (London Branch) t/a Motonovo Finance

If your business arranges consumer finance as part of a sale, do not assume the lender carries all the legal risk. In the court’s scenario, the dealer was a credit...

Read explainer
Disputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsStandards, Accreditation & Certification
UK Supreme Court[2024] UKSC 3423 Oct 2024

Oakwood Solicitors Ltd v Menzies

The lasting lesson is about billing process, customer communication and evidence. If your business can take fees from money it holds for a customer, do not assume a...

Read explainer
Disputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsEnvironmental Consents & WasteInsurance Policies & ClaimsTelecommunications, Media & Content
Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2024] EWCA Civ 25415 Mar 2024

Rajinder Kumar & Ors v LSC Finance Limited

If your business lends or borrows against land, do not treat purpose wording as boilerplate. A court will look at the actual intended use of the land and the real...

Read explainer
Dismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDirectors' Duties & GovernanceDebt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsAgriculture, Farming & Rural BusinessInsurance Policies & ClaimsStandards, Accreditation & Certification
High Court of Justice[2024] EWHC 1276 (Ch)24 May 2024

The Financial Conduct Authority v London Property Investments (UK) Limited (t/a LPI Emergency Property Finance) & Ors

For ordinary businesses, the practical lesson is simple: if you operate in the space between distressed homeowners and lenders, do not assume you are just an...

Read explainer
Debt Recovery, Guarantees & SecurityLicences, Permits & RegistrationsDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & Content
UK Supreme Court[2023] UKSC 4115 Nov 2023

Canada Square Operations Ltd v Potter

The safest reading for business owners is straightforward. Do not assume that six years automatically closes off risk if your business model depended on not telling...

Read explainer
Dismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsImport, Export, Sanctions & CustomsTelecommunications, Media & ContentStandards, Accreditation & CertificationConsumer Complaints & Dispute Resolution
Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2023] EWCA Civ 14017 Feb 2023

Vadim Don Benyatov v Credit Suisse (Securities) Europe Ltd

The practical lesson is about clarity, scope and risk allocation. An employer may owe recognised duties of care and may have to reimburse some expenses or...

Read explainer
Employment & WorkplaceEmployment Contracts & PoliciesDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesRestraints, Confidentiality & Trade SecretsDirectors' Duties & GovernanceLicences, Permits & RegistrationsFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & Claims
Court of Appeal of England and Wales[2020] EWCA Civ 24625 Feb 2020

Chapelgate Credit Opportunity Master Fund Ltd v Money & Ors

If your business is using a commercial funder to back a claim, do not assume the funder’s downside is automatically capped at the amount it puts in. This case shows...

Read explainer
Dismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesLiquidation & RestructuringDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & Claims
UK Supreme Court[2017] UKSC 2429 Mar 2017

Wood v Capita Insurance Services Limited

Warranties and indemnities are not interchangeable safety nets. A buyer needs each risk mapped to the trigger, notice process, time limit, liability cap and remedy...

Read explainer
Contracts & CommercialCompanies & StartupsRegulatory ComplianceDismissal, Redundancy & GrievancesDisputes, Enforcement & RemediesFinancial Services, Credit & PaymentsInsurance Policies & ClaimsTelecommunications, Media & Content