When Access to Justice Depends on Access to Capital

Justice for Whoever Can Afford the Process? A lawyer recently shared a story about a litigant in person who arrived in court convinced that an AI system had already proved his case. The AI had apparently identified multiple causes of action, described the matter as complex and encouraged the claimant to believe he had a … Continue reading When Access to Justice Depends on Access to Capital →

The Government Wants Finance to Drive Growth. But Finance Does Not Create Wealth on Its Own

Restoring human agency in a structurally untrustworthy system The Government says it wants growth. Few would disagree with the objective. Britain needs greater productivity, stronger businesses, higher incomes and sustainable public finances. The more important question is: What actually causes an economy to grow? The Government’s Financial Services and Markets Bill appears to begin with … Continue reading The Government Wants Finance to Drive Growth. But Finance Does Not Create Wealth on Its Own →

When the Investigator Becomes the Target – Part II

A contemporaneous record of events following my involvement with Safe or Scam Steve Conley Why I am publishing this For several years, various websites, anonymous online reviews and social media posts have made serious allegations about me following my involvement with an organisation called Safe or Scam. Some of those allegations accuse me of operating … Continue reading When the Investigator Becomes the Target – Part II →

When the Investigator Becomes the Target

Reputation attacks against people who investigate financial misconduct When people think about financial misconduct, they usually imagine the victims. The pensioner who lost their retirement savings. The family persuaded into a high-risk investment they didn't understand. The business owner who trusted the wrong people. What they rarely consider is what happens to the people who … Continue reading When the Investigator Becomes the Target →

Another Adviser Firm Walks Away from SJP. Coincidence—or the Start of a Structural Shift?

Another advice firm has chosen to leave St. James's Place. SRB Financial Planning, a business responsible for approximately £250 million of client assets, has joined Quilter Financial Planning after reviewing its future strategic options. The firm said it selected Quilter for its greater investment flexibility, technology, operational support and broader platform. The move adds to … Continue reading Another Adviser Firm Walks Away from SJP. Coincidence—or the Start of a Structural Shift? →

17 Million Pension Policies. £500 Billion Invested. The FCA Says Many Could Be Poor Value.

The Financial Conduct Authority has issued a clear warning to pension providers. Millions of people holding older unit-linked pension and savings policies may not be receiving fair value. The scale is remarkable. Around 17 million policies. Around £500 billion invested. Many of these products are no longer sold. They sit quietly in the background, often … Continue reading 17 Million Pension Policies. £500 Billion Invested. The FCA Says Many Could Be Poor Value. →

If Even the FCA Says Investment Documents Are Too Hard to Understand… Perhaps It’s Time to Level the Playing Field

The Financial Conduct Authority has reached a striking conclusion. After reviewing 172 investment disclosure documents, it found that almost all were written at a level too difficult for the average consumer to understand. Only 6% were considered to be written in plain English, and every single document reviewed fell below the level expected for someone … Continue reading If Even the FCA Says Investment Documents Are Too Hard to Understand… Perhaps It’s Time to Level the Playing Field →

Financial Regulation Should Create Trust. So Why Do So Many Victims Never Find Justice?

As Parliament debates reforms to the Financial Services and Markets Act (FSMA), much of the discussion has focused on economic growth, regulatory efficiency and reducing unnecessary burdens on business. Those are legitimate objectives. But there is another question that deserves equal attention. When financial regulation fails an individual, how does that individual obtain justice? For … Continue reading Financial Regulation Should Create Trust. So Why Do So Many Victims Never Find Justice? →

Andy Burnham will give mayors and councils responsibility for helping a “lost generation”

How to get nearly one million young people into work. Burnham to give mayors powers to help ‘lost generation’ of Neets. The regional devolution plan will shift Whitehall budgets to local authorities as unemployment among young people hits record high across the country. The story is about a significant proposed shift in how the UK … Continue reading Andy Burnham will give mayors and councils responsibility for helping a “lost generation” →

How Many Ordinary People Could Realistically Navigate a System This Complex Without Assistance?

Imagine you discover something has gone badly wrong. Perhaps a financial institution has made a mistake. Perhaps an insurer has refused a claim. Perhaps you believe you have been misled, treated unfairly, or suffered a significant financial loss. You decide to do what responsible citizens are told to do. You gather evidence. You write letters. … Continue reading How Many Ordinary People Could Realistically Navigate a System This Complex Without Assistance? →