Financial Markets and Exchanges Law

This work is essential for banking and investment business practitioners and legal advisers working in those fields. It provides an invaluable reference source on current on-exchange and off-exchange market trading, and regulatory issues, in the payments, investments, debt, securities, and derivatives sectors. The coverage relates to the UK, the EU, the USA and to some Asian markets, while also providing an account of the international architecture and systems.

The book provides a comprehensive and authoritative analysis on the regulation of financial markets and market infrastructure including the new area of financial technology. It focuses on stock markets and exchanges, associated trading, clearing and settlement, and payment systems, set in their historical and current contexts. The new edition reflects recent changes to the various systems of financial regulation. It examines specific markets including equity, debt, and financial derivatives (both on-exchange and off-exchange), from UK, European, and international perspectives. It also includes associated topics, such as global custody and credit rating, together with a new chapter on transaction reporting.

Since the second edition, published in 2012 reflecting the 2007-9 financial crisis, there have been further changes to financial regulatory regimes at national, regional, and international levels. In the UK and the EU generally, the implementation of MiFID II has had a significant impact on the architecture and operation of the markets. Institutional revision within the EU is covered, including the development of the role of the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), and allied developments on listing, prospectuses, payments, and electronic money.

The book examines regional developments alongside domestic measures, including the changes to the FCA Handbook (particularly on Listing, Prospectuses, and Disclosure) and the Brexit-driven "on-shoring" into the UK of the EU regime. In addition, there are new chapters on Regulatory Technology and Islamic Capital Markets. This third edition is timely in the UK because of Brexit, and in the EU due to new emphasis on systemically important elements of market infrastructure, and the shift of policy making from the member states to the EU central institutions.

Michael Blair, 3VB, George Walker, School of Law, Queen Mary, University of London, Stuart Willey, Adviser, Bank of England


Michael Blair QC is in independent practice at the Bar of England and Wales specialising in financial services. Previously General Counsel to the Board of the Financial Services Authority. Queen's Counsel honoris causa 1996.

George Walker is Professor in International Financial Law at School of Law, Queen Mary University of London and is a member of the Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS). He is also a Barrister and Member of the Honourable Society of Inner Temple in London.

Stuart Willey was formerly Partner and Head of the Regulatory Practice in the Banking & Capital Markets group of White & Case in London. Stuart specializes in financial regulation focusing on the securities markets and banking. Stuart is currently an adviser at the Bank of England.