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James qualified into the CMS UK Financial Services Regulatory team in August 2013, having trained with the firm. Since qualifying James has developed a particular focus on consumer financial service products, and the consumer credit and payment service markets in particular. He advises a wide range of consumer credit clients, including both retail banks and high street retailers, as well as multiple payment service providers, such as banks, new fintech entrants, and payment instrument issuers. James has particular expertise in advising captive motor finance providers and firms with unique distribution strategies (whether they be technology based or otherwise).

James has experience of all matters within the regulated product lifecycle, including assisting with the authorisation of lenders/providers and implementing FCA compliance processes; advising on the design, distribution and operation of consumer products; drafting pre-contract information, customer facing agreements/terms of business and post-contractual notices; and advising on compliance with all conduct of business rules applicable to regulated entities. Clients have commended James for his extremely practical and commercial approach in light of increasing regulatory rules and principles within the credit and payment sectors. His knowledge of both the statutory and regulatory regimes is invaluable to clients.

Relevant experience

  • A significant insurance provider on its compliance with the FCA Consumer Credit sourcebook with collecting debts relating to insurance policies which had been financed via a credit agreement.
  • A credit providers on the design of their broker networks, their direct sale websites and apps, and their compliance with consumer rights legislation, when selling various finance agreements and additional services.
  • A debt sale agreement relating to consumer credit agreements, which incorporated a disclosure process relating to the portfolio's issues with NOSIAs and PPI.
  • A large high street bank on the terms and conditions for its credit card product.
  • Multiple credit providers on issues relating to deficiencies within their statutory notices, the resulting remediation programmes and discussions with the FCA on the issues.
  • Various deposit broking platforms with establishing their business models and advising on their interactions with deposit takers.
  • A specialist deposit taker on the various liquidity, FSCS and AML implications of accepting deposits via different legal structures.
  • A deposit taker on its obligations under the UK's Recovery and Resolution regime, with a particular focus on interactions with 3rd party suppliers.
  • On CHAPS participation documentation for a large UK deposit taker.
  • A new e-money based supplier payment structure being implemented in the travel agency industry.

Education

  • 2011 – LPC, BPP Law School, London 
  • 2010 – LL.B., Durham University, Durham 

Insights by James

HMT’s Proposed reforms to the Appointed Representatives Regime

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HMT’s Proposed reforms to the Appointed Representatives Regime

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FCA Final Report on premium finance: clean bill of health?

12 Feb 2026 7 min read

Financial inclusion through payroll saving? The FCA comments on the potential and the practicalities of workplace savings schemes

03 Sep 2025 4 min read
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