Investment claims

Our investment claims flowchart will help you understand the steps we must take and questions FSCS must answer when considering a claim for compensation against an investment firm, such as a financial adviser.

If you have a claim against:

  • Berkeley Independent Advisers (BIA),
  • Berry Birch and Noble Financial Planning Limited,
  • Berry Birch & Noble Financial Planning (Weston) Limited,
  • Berry Birch & Noble Financial Services Ltd
  • Millfield Partnership Limited,
  • Mortage Advisory Centre Limited
  • Pacific Continental Securities (UK) Ltd
  • Whitechurch Investment Services Ltd

  • BFS Investments plc,
  • Exeter Fund Managers Limited (in administration),

please visit our latest news section for further information on what you should do.

General information about making an investment claim

If you want to claim against a failed investment firm, for example a financial adviser, write to us giving the following details:

  • The full name and address of the authorised firm, if you know it.
  • When and how much you invested.
  • What type of investment you made.
  • Why you believe you have a claim.

We will need to see any papers the firm sent you about your investments. The more information you can give us, the easier it will be for us to deal with your claim.

To claim from us, you will need to fill in an application form that we will send to you.


Limitations to the protection FSCS can provide

As a fund of last resort, there are limits to what the Scheme can do. Our rules are made by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the independent watchdog set up by government to regulate financial services and protect consumers. The rules tell us which types of claim are eligible for compensation and limit how much compensation we are allowed to pay. We must abide by these rules at all times.

Before FSCS is able to pay claims for compensation we must ensure that the firm against which a claim(s) has been made is not able to pay. We describe this as being in default.

A declaration of default opens the way for consumers to claim compensation from us. Use our default check service to find out if a firm you have been dealing with has been declared in default by FSCS.


Even if a firm is no longer trading it may be able to deal with claims

Even if a firm is no longer trading it (or its owners) may be able to pay your claim. If a firm (or its owners) has enough assets to meet your claim you will need to take your case up directly with it. In the first instance, you should try to contact the firm (or person) that gave you the advice to establish whether it is able to consider your claim. If you are unable to contact the firm or discover that the firm is unable to pay your claim, you should contact us.

 

Claims before 1 December 2001

Slightly different rules apply if you have a claim against an investment firm that was insolvent or declared in default before FSCS became operational (1 December 2001). The claim is covered by the rules governing the Investors Compensation Scheme (ICS), which existed before that date, although we will handle your claim. Compensation limits and eligibility may differ from the current arrangements.

 

For information about claiming compensation please download a copy of our Claiming compensation booklet. If you would like us to post you a copy, please contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)