FSA’s Handbook Review: short and sweet… or not?

FSA has published the first of a projected series of consultation papers containing proposals to shorten and simplify its Handbook. But will the changes necessarily be for the best? Emma Radmore of Denton Wilde Sapte looks at the reasons behind the new proposals, and what the future holds for the structure of FSA’s rules.

The Handbook – then and now

The word “Handbook” has always been something of a misnomer. Even at N2, a hard copy of the entire FSA Rules and Guidance occupied an entire bookcase. Since N2, however, it has grown in many respects, and shrunk in very few. The main additions and changes have been: