Part

MAR Market Conduct

Chapter

Endorsement of the Takeover Code

Printed on: 15/10/2024

Rulebook at: 20/06/2008

MAR 4

Endorsement of the Takeover Code

MAR 4.1

APPLICATION AND PURPOSE

  • 01/12/2004

Application

MAR 4.1.1

handbook-rule
This chapter applies to every firm whose permission includes, or ought to include, any designated investment business, except as set out in MAR 4.4.1 R.
  • 20/09/2001

MAR 4.1.2

handbook-guidance
MAR 4.1.1 R applies regardless of whether the firm's activity:
(1) is a regulated activity;
(2) is carried on from an office of the firm in the United Kingdom; or
(3) is in respect of a client in the United Kingdom.
  • 20/09/2001

Purpose

MAR 4.3

SUPPORT OF THE TAKEOVER PANEL'S FUNCTIONS

  • 06/02/2007

MAR 4.3.1

handbook-rule
A firm must not act, or continue to act, for any person in connection with a transaction to which the Takeover Code applies (including a transaction subject to rule 8 (Disclosure of dealings during the offer period; also indemnity and other arrangements) of the Takeover Code) if the firm has reasonable grounds for believing that the person in question, or his principal, is not complying or is not likely to comply with the Takeover Code.
  • 06/02/2007

MAR 4.3.2

handbook-guidance
(1) The Takeover Panel publishes notices regarding compliance with the Takeover Code. It may also, from time to time, name in those notices persons as persons that, in the Takeover Panel's opinion, are not likely to comply with the Takeover Code. Any notices of this type will be available on the Takeover Panel's website (www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk).
(2) A firm should keep itself informed of Takeover Panel notices and take them into account in seeking to comply with MAR 4.3.1 R. If the Takeover Panel were to name such a person in such a notice, the FSA would expect a firm to comply with MAR 4.3.1 R by not acting or continuing to act for that person.
(3) The FSA would not regard a firm as in breach of MAR 4.3.1 R where the Takeover Panel has indicated that it is content for the firm to act in relation to that transaction.
  • 06/02/2007

MAR 4.3.3

handbook-guidance
(1) Where a restriction under MAR 4.3.1 R applies, among other things the firm is prevented from carrying on any designated investment business activity, or communicating or approving any financial promotion, in connection with a transaction to which the Takeover Codeapplies.
(2) Where a restriction under MAR 4.3.1 R applies, the firm is not prevented from carrying on other activities (including regulated activities) in relation to that person. This includes designated investment business activity which is not in connection with a transaction to which the Takeover Codeapplies.
  • 06/02/2007

MAR 4.3.4

handbook-guidance
(1) Where a restriction under MAR 4.3.1 R applies, an authorised professional firm is not prevented from providing professional advice or representation in any proceedings to the person where that falls within section 327(8) of the Act. This means that the person can obtain legal advice or representation in any proceedings from a law firm and accounting advice from an accounting firm: see MAR 4.4.1 R (2).
(2) While the FSA recognises the duty of authorised professional firms to act in the best interests of their clients, the duty cannot override the provisions of the Takeover Codeso as to require the authorised professional firm to provide services in breach of, or enable breach of, the Takeover Code.
  • 06/02/2007

MAR 4.3.5

handbook-rule
A firm must provide to the Takeover Panel:
(1) any information and documents in its possession or under its control which the Takeover Panel requests to enable the Takeover Panel to perform its functions; and
(2) such assistance as the Takeover Panel requests and as the firm is reasonably able to provide to enable the Takeover Panel to perform its functions.
  • 20/09/2001

MAR 4.3.6

handbook-guidance
In MAR 4.3.5 R, "documents" includes information recorded in any form and, in relation to information recorded otherwise than in legible form, references to providing documents include references to producing a copy of the information in legible form.
  • 20/09/2001

MAR 4.3.7

handbook-guidance
As a result of section 413 of the Act (Limitation on powers to require documents), MAR 4.3.5 R does not require a firm or an authorised professional firm to produce, disclose or permit the inspection of protected items.
  • 20/09/2001

MAR 4.4

EXCEPTIONS

  • 01/12/2004

MAR 4.4.1

handbook-rule
This chapter is subject to the following exceptions:
(1) this chapter does not require an authorised professional firm to contravene any rule or principle of, or requirement of a published guidance note relating to, professional conduct applying generally to members of the profession regulated by its designated professional body;
(2) this chapter does not prevent an authorised professional firm from providing professional advice, that is, in accordance with section 327(8) of the Act, advice:
(a) which does not constitute carrying on a regulated activity; and
(b) the provision of which is supervised and regulated by a designated professional body;
(3) this chapter does not have effect in relation to an authorised professional firm in respect of non-mainstream regulated activity; and
(4) this chapter does not apply to:
(a) a UCITS qualifier; or
(b) an incoming EEA firm which has permission only for cross border services and which does not carry on regulated activities in the United Kingdom.
  • 20/09/2001