Chapters

  • PR 1 Preliminary
  • PR 2 Drawing up the prospectus
  • PR 3 Approval and publication of prospectus
  • PR 4 Use of languages and third
    country issuers
  • PR 5 Other provisions
  • PR App 1 Relevant definitions
  • PR App 2 Fees
  • PR App 3 Schedules and Building Blocks and Table of Combinations of Schedules and Building Blocks
  • Transitional Provisions

PR 1

Preliminary

PR 1.1

Preliminary

Application

PR 1.1.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
(1) PR 2, PR 3, PR 4.2, PR 5.1, PR 5.3.1 UK to PR 5.3.3 G and PR 5.5 only apply (subject to paragraph (2)) in relation to:
(a) an offer, or a request for admission to trading of transferable securities, in respect of which section 85 of the Act applies (other than an exempt offer under section 86 of the Act) and in relation to which the United Kingdom is the Home State;
(b) an offer, or a request for admission to trading of transferable securities, where under section 87 of the Act a person has elected to have a prospectus in relation to the transferable securities; and
(c) an offer, or a request for admission to trading of transferable securities, not referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b), in relation to which the United Kingdom is the Home State.
(2) PR 2, PR 3, PR 4.2 , PR 5.3.1 UK to PR 5.3.3 G also apply in relation to an offer, or a request for admission to trading of transferable securities, where another competent authority of an EEA State has transferred the function of approving the prospectus to the FSA .

FSA exercising functions as competent authority

PR 1.1.2

See Notes

handbook-guidance
In relation to the prospectus rules, the FSA is exercising functions as the competent authority under Part 6 of the Act (see section 72(1) of the Act).
Note: When exercising its functions as the competent authority under Part 6 of the Act, the FSA may use the name the UK Listing Authority.

Persons responsible for complying with rules

PR 1.1.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
A person must comply with all rules that are specified as being applicable to them.

PR 1.1.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
If a rule does not specify who is responsible for complying with it, then the following persons must comply with it:
(1) in relation to an offer:
(a) the issuer; and
(b) the offeror (if this is a person other than the issuer);
(2) in relation to a request for the admission to trading of transferable securities:
(a) the issuer; and
(b) the person requesting admission to trading (if this is a person other than the issuer).

PR 1.1.5

See Notes

handbook-rule
An issuer is not responsible under PR 1.1.4R (1)(a) or (2)(a) if it has not authorised or made the offer or the request for the admission to trading.

Provisions implementing the prospectus directive

PR 1.1.6

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The following documents need to be considered together todetermine the effect of the prospectus directive:
(1) Part 6 of the Act;
(2) the PD Regulation;
(3) these rules; and

PR 1.1.7

See Notes

handbook-guidance
To assist readers, extracts from the Actandthe PD Regulationare reproduced in the text of these rules. Readers should however consult those documents themselves to see the full text.

CESR recommendations

PR 1.1.8

See Notes

handbook-guidance
In determining whether Part 6 of the Act, these rulesandthe PD Regulationhas been complied with, the FSA will take into account whether a person has complied with the CESR recommendations.

Application of rules to supplementary prospectuses

PR 1.1.9

See Notes

handbook-rule
Unless the context otherwise requires, a reference in these rules to a prospectus includes a supplementary prospectus.

PR 1.2

Requirement for a prospectus and exemptions

Requirement for a prospectus

PR 1.2.1

See Notes

handbook-uk-text
Sections 85 and 86 of the Act provide for when a prospectus approved by the FSA will be required:

Exempt securities - offers of securities to the public

PR 1.2.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
In accordance with section 85(5)(b) of the Act, section 85(1) of the Act does not apply to offers of the following types of transferable securities:
(1) shares issued in substitution for shares of the same class already issued, if the issue of the new shares does not involve any increase in the issued capital;
(2) transferable securities offered in connection with a takeover by means of an exchange offer, if a document is available containing information which is regarded by the FSA as being equivalent to that of the prospectus, taking into account the requirements of Community legislation;
(3) transferable securities offered, allotted or to be allotted in connection with a merger, if a document is available containing information which is regarded by the FSA as being equivalent to that of the prospectus, taking into account the requirements of Community legislation;
(4) shares offered, allotted or to be allotted free of charge to existing shareholders, and dividends paid out in the form of shares of the same class as the shares in respect of which the dividends are paid, if a document is made available containing information on the number and nature of the shares and the reasons for and details of the offer;
(5) transferable securities offered, allotted or to be allotted to existing or former directors or employees by their employer which has transferable securities already admitted to trading or by an affiliated undertaking, if a document is made available containing information on the number and nature of the transferable securities and the reasons for and details of the offer.

Exempt securities - admission to trading on a regulated market

PR 1.2.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
In accordance with section 85(6)(b) of the Act, section 85(2) of the Act does not apply to the admission to trading of the following types of transferable securities:
(1) shares representing, over a period of 12 months, less than 10 per cent of the number of shares of the same class already admitted to trading on the same regulated market;
(2) shares issued in substitution for shares of the same class already admitted to trading on the same regulated market, if the issue of the shares does not involve any increase in the issued capital;
(3) transferable securities offered in connection with a takeover by means of an exchange offer, if a document is available containing information which is regarded by the FSA as being equivalent to that of the prospectus, taking into account the requirements of Community legislation;
(4) transferable securities offered, allotted or to be allotted in connection with a merger, if a document is available containing information which is regarded by the FSA as being equivalent to that of the prospectus, taking into account the requirements of Community legislation;
(5) shares offered, allotted or to be allotted free of charge to existing shareholders, and dividends paid out in the form of shares of the same class as the shares in respect of which the dividends are paid, if the shares are of the same class as the shares already admitted to trading on the same regulated market and if a document is made available containing information on the number and nature of the shares and the reasons for and details of the offer;
(6) transferable securities offered, allotted or to be allotted to existing or former directors or employees by their employer or an affiliated undertaking, if the transferable securities are of the same class as the transferable securities already admitted to trading on the same regulated market and if a document is made available containing information on the number and nature of the transferable securities and the reasons for and detail of the offer;
(7) shares resulting from the conversion or exchange of other transferable securities or from the exercise of the rights conferred by other transferable securities, if the shares are of the same class as the shares already admitted to trading on the same regulated market;
(8) transferable securities already admitted to trading on another regulated market, on the following conditions:
(a) that these transferable securities, or transferable securities of the same class, have been admitted to trading on that other regulated market for more than 18 months;
(b) that, for transferable securities first admitted to trading after the 31 December 2003, the admission to trading on that other regulated market was associated with an approved prospectus made available to the public in accordance with Article 14 of the prospectus directive;
(c) that, except where (b) applies, for transferable securities first admitted to listing after 30 June 1983, listing particulars were approved in accordance with the requirements of Directive 80/390/EEC or Directive 2001/34/EC;
(d) that the ongoing obligations for trading on that other regulated market have been fulfilled;
(e) that the person requesting the admission to trading under this exemption makes a summary document available to the public in a language accepted by the competent authority of the EEA State of the regulated market where admission is sought;
(f) that the summary document referred to in paragraph (e) is made available to the public in the EEA State of the regulated market where admission to trading is sought in the manner set out in Article 14 of the prospectus directive; and
(g) that the contents of the summary document comply with article 5(2) of the prospectus directive. Also the document must state where the most recent prospectus can be obtained and where the financial information published by the issuer pursuant to its ongoing disclosure obligations is available [Note: article 4(2) PD].

PR 1.2.4

See Notes

handbook-guidance
(1) The summary document referred to in PR 1.2.3R (8) should at least contain the information that would be required in a summary if the summary were being produced at the date of the summary document.
(2) The content of the summary document may be obtained from publicly available information on the issuer.
(3) If the information is obtained from publicly available information on the issuer, the information should be accurately reproduced from publicly available information and no facts should be omitted which would make the reproduced information misleading.

PR 2

Drawing up the prospectus

PR 2.1

General contents of prospectus

General contents of prospectus

PR 2.1.1

See Notes

handbook-uk-text
Sections 87A(2), (3) and (4) of the Act provide for the general contents of a prospectus:

Summary

PR 2.1.2

See Notes

handbook-uk-text
Sections 87A(5) and (6) of the Act set out the requirement for a summary to be included in a prospectus:

When a summary is not required

PR 2.1.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
In accordance with section 87A(5) of the Act, a summary is not required for a prospectus relating to non-equity transferable securities that have a denomination of at least 50,000 Euros(or an equivalent amount) if the prospectus relates to an admission to trading. [Note: article 5.2 PD]

Contents of summary

PR 2.1.4

See Notes

handbook-eu-text
Article 24 of the PD Regulation provides for how the contents of the summary are to be determined:

PR 2.1.5

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The summary should generally not exceed 2 500 words. [Note: recital 21 PD]

PR 2.1.6

See Notes

handbook-rule
The summary must be in the language in which the prospectus was originally drawn up. [Note: article 19.2 PD]
Note: PR 4.1 sets out rules about the language in which the prospectus must be drawn up.
Note: Article 19.2 of the prospectus directive also allows the competent authority of a Host State to require that the summary be translated into its official language(s). The FSA as competent authority of a Host State requires a summary to be translated into English under PR 4.1.6 R.

PR 2.1.7

See Notes

handbook-rule
The summary must also contain a warning to the effect that:
(1) it should be read as an introduction to the prospectus;
(2) any decision to invest in the transferable securities should be based on consideration of the prospectus as a whole by the investor;
(3) where a claim relating to the information contained in a prospectus is brought before a court, the plaintiff investor might, under the national legislation of the EEA States, have to bear the costs of translating the prospectus before the legal proceedings are initiated; and
(4) civil liability attaches to those persons who are responsible for the summary including any translation of the summary, but only if the summary is misleading, inaccurate or inconsistent when read together with the other parts of the prospectus. [Note: article 5.2 PD]

PR 2.2

Format of prospectus

Format of prospectus

PR 2.2.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
A prospectus may be drawn up as a single document or separate documents. [Note: PD article 5.3]

PR 2.2.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
(1) A prospectus composed of separate documents must divide the required information into a registration document, a securities note and a summary.
(2) The registration document must contain the information relating to the issuer. The securities note must contain the information concerning the transferable securities to be offered or to be admitted to trading. [Note: article 5.3 PD]

PR 2.2.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
The registration document accompanied by the securities note (updated if applicable in accordance with PR 2.2.5 R) and the summary shall be considered to constitute a valid prospectus. [Note: article 9.4 PD]

Prospectuses consisting of separate documents

PR 2.2.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
An issuer, offeror or person requesting admission who already has a registration document approved by the FSA is required to draw up only the securities note and the summary when transferable securities are offered or a request is made for admission to trading. [Note: article 12.1 PD]

PR 2.2.5

See Notes

handbook-rule
If PR 2.2.4 R applies, the securities note must provide information that would normally be provided in the registration documentifthere has been a material change or recent development which could affect investor's assessments since the latest updated registration document, or any supplementary prospectus, was approved. The securities note and summary shall be subject to a separate approval. [Note: article 12.2 PD]

PR 2.2.6

See Notes

handbook-rule
An issuer, offeror or person requesting admission may choose to file a registration document without approval. If it does so, the entire documentation, including updated information, is subject to approval. [Note: article 12.3 PD]

Base prospectus

PR 2.2.7

See Notes

handbook-rule
The prospectus can, at the choice of the issuer, offeror or person requesting admission, consist of a base prospectus containing all relevant information concerning the issuer and the transferable securities to be offered or to be admitted to trading if it relates to one of the following types of transferable securities:
(1) non-equity transferable securities, including warrants in any form, issued under an offering programme; or
(2) non-equity transferable securities issued in a continuous or repeated manner by credit institutions:
(a) where the sums deriving from the issue of the transferable securities, under national legislation, are placed in assets which provide sufficient coverage for the liability deriving from transferable securities until their maturity date;
(b) where, in the event of the insolvency of the related credit institution, the said sums are intended, as a priority, to repay the capital and interest falling due, without prejudice to the provisions of Directive 2001/24/EC on the reorganisation and winding up of credit institutions. [Note: article 5.4 PD]

PR 2.2.8

See Notes

handbook-rule
The information given in the base prospectus must be supplemented, if necessary, in accordance with section 87G of the Act (supplementary prospectus), with updated information on the issuer and on the transferable securities to be offered or to be admitted to trading. [Note: article 5.4 PD]

PR 2.2.9

See Notes

handbook-rule
If the final terms of the offer are not included in eitherthe base prospectus or a supplementary prospectus:
(1) the final terms must be provided to investors and filed with the FSA , and made available to the public, in accordance with PR 3.2.4 R to PR 3.2.6 R the PD Regulation as soon as practicable after each offer is made and, if possible, before the offer begins;
(2) the base prospectus must disclose the criteria and/or the conditions in accordance with which the above elements will be determined or, in the case of price, the maximum price. [Note: article 5.4 PD]

PR 2.2.10

See Notes

handbook-eu-text
Articles 25 and 26 of the PD Regulation provide for the format of prospectuses and base prospectuses:

PR 2.3

Minimum information to be included in a prospectus

Minimum information

PR 2.3.1

See Notes

handbook-eu-text
Articles 3 to 23 of the PD Regulation provide for the minimum information to be included in a prospectus:
Note: the Annexes (including schedules and building blocks) referred to in these articles are set out for information in PR App 3.

Final offer price and amount of securities not included in prospectus

PR 2.3.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
If a prospectus for which approval is sought does not include the final offer price or the amount of transferable securities to be offered:
(1) the prospectus must disclose the criteria and/or the conditions in accordance with which the above elements will be determined or, in the case of price, the maximum price; and
(2) the final offer price and amount of transferable securities must as soon as practicable be filed with the FSA, and made available to the public, in accordance with PR 3.2.4 R to PR 3.2.6 R and the PD Regulation. [Note: article 8.1 PD]

Note: Sections 87A(7) and 87Q(1),(2) and (3) of the Act set out further provisions that apply if the final offer price or the amount of transferable securities to be offered are not included in a prospectus.

PR 2.4

Incorporation by reference

Incorporation by reference

PR 2.4.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
(1) Information may be incorporated in the prospectus by reference to one or more previously or simultaneously published documents that have been approved by the competent authority of the Home State or filed with or notified to it in accordance with the prospectus directive or titles IV and V of CARD.
(2) In particular under paragraph (1), information may be incorporated by reference to information contained or referred to in an annual information update. [Note: article 11.1 PD]

PR 2.4.2

See Notes

handbook-guidance
Information under titles IV and V of CARD that may be incorporated by reference includes, for example, instruments of incorporation or statutes of a company, annual accounts and annual reports, equivalent information made available to markets in the United Kingdom, half yearly reports, listing particulars and supplementary listing particulars.
[Note: for full details refer to these titles of CARD]

PR 2.4.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
Information incorporated by reference must be the latestavailable to the issuer, offeror or person requesting admission. [Note: article 11.1 PD]

PR 2.4.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
The summary must not incorporate information by reference. [Note: article 11.1 PD]

PR 2.4.5

See Notes

handbook-rule
When information is incorporated by reference, a cross reference list must be provided in the prospectus to enable investors to identify easily specific items of information. The cross reference list must specify where the information can be accessed by investors. [Note: article 11.2 PD]

PR 2.4.6

See Notes

handbook-eu-text
Article 28 of the PD Regulation provides examples of information that may be incorporated by reference:

PR 2.5

Omission of information

Equivalent information

PR 2.5.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
Without prejudice to the adequate information of investors, if, in exceptional cases, certain information referred to in the PD Regulation that is required to be included in a prospectus is inappropriate to the issuer's activity or to the legal form of the issuer or to the transferable securities to which the prospectus relates, the prospectus must contain information equivalent to the required information (unless there is no such information). [Note: article 8.3 PD]

PR 2.5.2

See Notes

handbook-uk-text
Section 87B(1) of the Act sets out when the FSA may authorise the omission of information from a prospectus:

Request to omit information

PR 2.5.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
A request to the FSA to authorise the omission of specific information must:
(1) be in writing from the applicant;
(2) identify the specific information concerned and the specific reasons for its omission; and
(3) state why in the applicant's opinion one or more of the grounds in section 87B(1) of the Act applies.

PR 3

Approval and publication of prospectus

PR 3.1

Approval of prospectus

Applying for approval

PR 3.1.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
An applicant must submit to the FSA the following information:
(1) a completed form A;
(2) the prospectus;
(3) if the order of items in the prospectus does not coincide with the order in the schedules and building blocks in the PD Regulation, a cross reference list identifying the pages where each item can be found in the prospectus;
(4) a letter identifying any items from the schedules and building blocks that have not been included because they are not applicable;
(5) if information is incorporated in the prospectus by reference to another document, a copy of the document (annotated to indicate which item of the schedules and building blocks in the PD Regulation it relates to);
(6) if the applicant is requesting the FSA to authorise the omission of information from the prospectus, the information required by PR 2.5.3 R;
(7) [deleted]
(8) [deleted]
(9) contact details of individuals who are:
(a) sufficiently knowledgeable about the documentation to be able to answer queries from the FSA ; and
(b) available to answer queries between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and
(10) any other information that the FSA may require.

PR 3.1.2

See Notes

handbook-guidance
FEES 3 sets out the relevant application fee payable to the FSA .

When information must be submitted

PR 3.1.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
(1) The applicant must submit to the FSA by the date specified in paragraph (2):
(a) the completed form A in final form;
(b) the relevant fee; and
(c) the other information referred to in PR 3.1.1 R in draft form.
(2) The date referred to in paragraph (1) is:
(a) at least 10 working days before the intended approval date of the prospectus; or
(b) at least 20 working days before the intended approval date of the prospectus if the applicant does not have transferable securitiesadmission to trading and has not previously made an offer; or
(c) as soon as practicable in the case of a supplementary prospectus.
(3) The applicant must submit to the FSA the information referred to in paragraph (1)(c) in final form before midday on the day on which approval is required to be granted.

Drafts of documents

PR 3.1.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
Drafts of documents must be submitted to the FSA :
(1) in a substantially complete form;
(2) in duplicate in hard copy or an agreed electronic format; and
(3) annotated in the margin to indicate compliance with all applicable requirements of Part 6 of the Act and these rules.

PR 3.1.5

See Notes

handbook-rule
If further drafts of documents are required, they must be submitted to the FSA :
(1) marked to show all changes made since the last draft was reviewed by the FSA;
(2) marked to show all changes made to the documents as a consequence of the FSA's comments (in a way that differentiates those changes from other changes);
(3) in duplicate in hard copy or an agreed electronic format; and
(4) annotated in the margin to indicate compliance with all applicable requirements of the Act and these rules.

Copy of resolution to be kept

PR 3.1.5A

See Notes

handbook-rule
An applicant must keep a copy of the board resolution allotting or issuing the transferable securities for six years after the application for approval of the prospectus for those securities.

Request for certificate of approval

PR 3.1.6

See Notes

handbook-guidance
If an applicant wishes the FSA to provide a certificate of approval to another competent authority at the time the prospectus is approved, it should include a request for the supply of the certificate with its application for approval of the prospectus (PR 5.3.2 R sets out the requirements for such a request).

Approval of prospectus

PR 3.1.7

See Notes

handbook-uk-text
Section 87A(1) of the Act provides for the approval of a prospectus by the FSA :

PR 3.1.8

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The FSA will only approve a prospectus when it considers that the information provided with the application is complete and is in final form.
Note: Section 87C of the Act sets out time limits for the FSA to notify an applicant of its decision on an application for approval.

Decision-making procedures

PR 3.1.9

See Notes

handbook-rule
The FSA will follow the executive procedures for statutory notice decisions and statutory notice associated decisions if it:
(1) proposes to refuse to approve a prospectus; or
(2) decides to refuse to approve a prospectus after having given the applicant a written notice.

Note: DEPP 4 sets out the executive procedures for statutory notice decisions and statutory notice associated decisions.

Prospectus not to be published until approved

PR 3.1.10

See Notes

handbook-rule
A prospectus must not be published until it has been approved by the FSA . [ Note: article 13.1 PD ]

Prospectus comprising separate documents

PR 3.1.11

See Notes

handbook-rule
If the prospectus is not a single document but is comprised of separate documents:
(1) an application for approval may relate to one or more of those separate documents; and
(2) a reference in this section to a prospectus is, unless the context otherwise requires, to be taken to be a reference to the document or documents to which the application relates.

Transfer to another competent authority

PR 3.1.12

See Notes

handbook-rule
(1) A person seeking to have the function of approving a prospectus transferred to the competent authority of another EEA State must make a written request to the FSA at least 10 working days before the date the transfer is sought.
(2) The request must:
(a) set out the reasons for the proposed transfer;
(b) state the name of the competent authority to whom the transfer is sought; and
(c) include a copy of the draft prospectus.

PR 3.1.13

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The FSA will consider transferring the function of approving a prospectus to the competent authority of another EEA State:
(1) if requested to do so by the issuer, offeror or person requesting admission or by another competent authority; or
(2) in other cases if the FSA considers it would be more appropriate for another competent authority to perform that function.

Vetting of equivalent documents

PR 3.1.14

See Notes

handbook-rule
A person who wishes the FSA to vet an equivalent document referred to in PR 1.2.2 R (2) or (3) or PR 1.2.3R (3) or (4) must submit to the FSA :
(1) a copy of the document;
(2) a cross reference list identifying the pages in the document where each item that is equivalent to the disclosure requirements for a prospectus may be found;
(3) contact details of individuals who are:
(a) sufficiently knowledgeable about the documentation to be able to answer queries from the FSA; and
(b) available to answer queries between the hours of 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.; and
(4) any other information that the FSA may require.

PR 3.1.15

See Notes

handbook-rule
The person must submit the documents referred to in PR 3.1.14 R at least ten working days before the date on which it wishes the vetting to be completed or at least 20 working days before that date if the person does not have transferable securitiesadmitted to trading and has not previously made an offer.

PR 3.1.16

See Notes

handbook-guidance
FEES 3 sets out the relevant fee payable in relation to the vetting of an equivalent document or a summary document.

PR 3.2

Filing and publication of prospectus

Filing and publication of prospectus

PR 3.2.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
After a prospectus is approved by the FSA , it must be filed with the FSA and made available to the public. [ Note: articles 14.1 and 16.1 of PD ]

Timing of filing and publication

PR 3.2.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
Except as provided in PR 3.2.3 R, the prospectus must be filed and made available to the public as soon as practicable, and in any case, at a reasonable time in advance of, and at the latest at the beginning of, the offer or the admission to trading of the transferable securities involved. [ Note: article 14.1 PD ]

PR 3.2.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
In the case of an initial public offer of a class of shares not already admitted to trading that is to be admitted to trading for the first time, the prospectus must be made available to the public at least six working days before the end of the offer. [ Note: article 14.1 PD ]

Method of publishing

PR 3.2.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
A prospectus is deemed to be made available to the public for the purposes of PR 3.2.1 R to PR 3.2.3 R when published either:
(1) by insertion in one or more newspapers circulated throughout, or widely circulated in, the EEA States in which the offer is made or the admission to trading is sought; or
(2) in a printed form to be made available, free of charge, to the public at the offices of the regulated market on which the transferable securities are being admitted to trading, or at the registered office of the issuer and at the offices of the financial intermediaries placing or selling the transferable securities, including paying agents; or
(3) in an electronic form on the issuer's website and, if applicable, on the website of the financial intermediaries placing or selling the transferable securities, including paying agents; or
(4) in an electronic form on the website of the regulated market where the admission to trading is sought. [Note: article 14.2 PD]

PR 3.2.5

See Notes

handbook-rule
The text and the format of the prospectus made available to the public, must at all times be identical to the original version approved by the FSA . [Note: article 14.6 PD]

PR 3.2.6

See Notes

handbook-rule
If the prospectus is made available by publication in electronic form, a paper copy must nevertheless be delivered to the investor, upon his request and free of charge, by the issuer, the offeror, the person requesting admission or the financial intermediaries placing or selling the transferable securities. [ Note: article 14.7 PD ]

FSA will publish list of approved prospectuses

PR 3.2.7

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The FSA will publish on its website, a list of prospectuses approved over the previous 12 months. The list will specify how a prospectus is made available and where it can be obtained, including, if applicable, a hyperlink to the prospectus published on the issuer's or regulated market's website. [ Note: article 14.4 PD ]

Prospectus comprising separate documents etc

PR 3.2.8

See Notes

handbook-rule
If a prospectus consists of several documents or incorporates information by reference, the documents and information making up the prospectus may be published and circulated separately if the documents are made available, free of charge, to the public, in accordance with PR 3.2.4 R. Each document must indicate where the other constituent documents of the full prospectus may be obtained. [ Note: article 14.5 PD ]

PR 3.2.9

See Notes

handbook-eu-text
Articles 29, 30 and 33 of the PD Regulation provide for further requirements relating to publication of prospectuses:

PR 3.3

Advertisements

Application

PR 3.3.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
PR 3.3.2 R to PR 3.3.4 R only apply to an offer, or to an admission to trading of transferable securities, for which:
(1) a prospectus is required to be made available to the public under section 85 of the Act; or
(2) a person elects to have a prospectus under section 87 of the Act. [ Note: article 15.1 PD ]

Advertisements

PR 3.3.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
An advertisement relating to an offer or to an admission to trading must not be issued unless:
(1) it states that a prospectus has been or will be published and indicates where investors are, or will be, able to obtain it;
(2) it is clearly recognisable as an advertisement;
(3) information in the advertisement is not inaccurate, or misleading; and
(4) information in the advertisement is consistent with the information contained in the prospectus, if already published, or with the information required to be in the prospectus, if the prospectus is published afterwards. [ Note: articles 15.1, 15.2 and 15.3 of PD ]

PR 3.3.3

See Notes

handbook-guidance
To comply with PR 3.3.2 R, a written advertisement should also contain a bold and prominent statement to the effect that it is not a prospectus but an advertisement and investors should not subscribe for any transferable securities referred to in the advertisement except on the basis of information in the prospectus.

Other information disclosed must be consistent with prospectus

PR 3.3.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
All information concerning an offer or an admission to trading disclosed in an oral or written form (even if not for advertising purposes), must be consistent with that contained in the prospectus. [ Note: article 15.4 PD ]

PR 3.3.5

See Notes

handbook-eu-text
Article 34 of the PD Regulation sets out a non-exhaustive list of the types of advertisement covered by the advertising provisions:

PR 3.4

Supplementary prospectus

Supplementary prospectus

PR 3.4.1

See Notes

handbook-uk-text
Section 87G of the Act provides that:

Amendments to summary

PR 3.4.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
A supplementary prospectus must also if necessary include an amendment or supplement to the summary, and any translations of the summary, to take into account the new information. [ Note: article 16.1 PD ]
Note: Section 87Q(4) of the Act sets out the rights of investors to withdraw their acceptances after a supplementary prospectus is published.

Supplementary prospectus to be submitted as soon as practicable

PR 3.4.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
A person referred to in section 87G(2) of the Act must submit a supplementary prospectus referred to in that section to the FSA for approval as soon as practicable after the new factor, mistake or inaccuracy arises or is noted.

PR 4

Use of languages and third
country issuers

PR 4.1

Use of languages

Language

PR 4.1.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
If an offer is made, or admission to trading is sought, only in the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom is the Home State, the prospectus must be drawn up in English. [Note: article 19.1 PD]

PR 4.1.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
If an offer is made, or admission to trading is sought, in more than one EEA State including the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom is the Home State, the prospectus must be drawn up in English and must also be made available either in a language accepted by the competent authorities of each Host State or in a language customary in the sphere of international finance, at the choice of the issuer, offeror or person requesting admission (as the case may be). [Note: article 19.3 PD]

PR 4.1.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
(1) If an offer is made, or admission to trading is sought, in one or more EEA States excluding the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom is the Home State, the prospectus must be drawn up in a language accepted by the competent authorities of those EEA States or in a language customary in the sphere of international finance, at the choice of the issuer, offeror or person requesting admission (as the case may be). [ Note: article 19.2 PD ]
(2) For the purpose of the scrutiny by the FSA where the United Kingdom is the Home State, the prospectus must be drawn up either in English or in another language customary in the sphere of international finance, at the choice of the issuer, offeror or person requesting admission (as the case may be). [ Note: article 19.2 PD ]

PR 4.1.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
If admission to trading of non-equity transferable securities whose denomination per unit amounts to at least 50,000 euros (or an equivalent amount) is sought in the United Kingdom or in one or more other EEA States, the prospectus must be drawn up in either a language accepted by the competent authorities of the Home State and Host States or in a language customary in the sphere of international finance, at the choice of the issuer, offeror or person requesting admission (as the case may be). [ Note: article 19.4 PD ]

English language

PR 4.1.5

See Notes

handbook-guidance
English is a language accepted by the FSA where the United Kingdom is a Home State or Host State.

Language customary in the sphere of international finance

PR 4.1.5A

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The FSA will consider a language to be customary in the sphere of international finance if documents in that language are accepted for scrutiny and filing in at least three international capital markets in each of the following:
(1) Europe;
(2) Asia; and
(3) the Americas.

Summary to be translated into English

PR 4.1.6

See Notes

handbook-rule
If:
(1) an offer is made in the United Kingdom;
(2) a prospectus relating to the transferable securities has been approved by the competent authority of another EEA State and the prospectus contains a summary; and
(3) the prospectus is drawn up in a language other than English that is customary in the sphere of international finance;

the offeror must ensure that the summary is translated into English. [ Note: article 19.2 PD ]

PR 4.2

Third country issuers

Approval of prospectus drawn up in accordance with third country laws

PR 4.2.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
If a prospectus relating to an issuer that has its registered office in a country that is not an EEA State is drawn up in accordance with the legislation of that country, the FSA may, if the United Kingdom is the Home State in relation to the issuer, approve the prospectus if it is satisfied that:
(1) the prospectus has been drawn up in accordance with international standards set by international securities commission organisations, including the IOSCO disclosure standards; and
(2) the information requirements, including information of a financial nature, are equivalent to the requirements under Part 6 of the Act, the PD Regulation and these rules. [ Note: article 20.1 PD ]

PR 4.2.2

See Notes

handbook-guidance
An applicant for the approval of a prospectus referred to in PR 4.2.1 R will need to comply with relevant requirements of the Act, the PD regulation and these rules including (to the extent applicable) PR 3.1 relating to applying for approval of a prospectus.

PR 5

Other provisions

PR 5.1

Validity of prospectus

Validity of prospectus

PR 5.1.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
A prospectus is valid for 12 months after its publication for an offer or an admission to trading, provided that the prospectus is updated by a supplementary prospectus (if required) under section 87G of the Act. [Note: article 9.1 PD]

PR 5.1.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
For an offering programme, the base prospectus is valid for a period of up to 12 months after it is filed. [Note: article 9.2 PD]

PR 5.1.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
For non-equity transferable securities referred to in PR 2.2.7 R (2), the prospectus is valid until no more of the transferable securities concerned are issued in a continuous or repeated manner. [Note: article 9.3 PD]

PR 5.1.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
A registration document is valid for a period of up to 12 months after it is filed provided that it has been updated in accordance with PR 2.2.5 R. [Note: article 9.4 PD]

PR 5.2

Annual information update

Annual information update

PR 5.2.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
An issuer whose transferable securities are admitted to trading and in relation to whom the United Kingdom is the Home State must at least annually prepare a document (an annual information update) that refers to or contains all information that has been published or made available to the public over the previous 12 months in one or more EEA States and in third countries in compliance with its obligations under Community and national laws and rules dealing with the regulation of securities, issuers of securities and securities markets. [Note: article 10.1 PD]

PR 5.2.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
PR 5.2.1 R does not apply in relation to non-equity transferable securities whose denomination per unit amounts to at least 50,000 Euros (or an equivalent amount), unless the issuer of the securities has elected by notice in writing sent to the FSA to comply with PR 5.2. [Note: article 10.3 PD]
Note: A copy of an election form may be found on the UKLA section of the FSA website.

PR 5.2.2A

See Notes

handbook-rule
If an issuer elects under PR 5.2.2 R to comply with PR 5.2 it must comply with the requirements in PR 5.2 (and the relevant requirements of the PD regulation as if they applied to it) on an ongoing basis until it withdraws the election. An issuer may withdraw the election by notice in writing given to the FSA, but may not do so within three years from the date of making the initial election.

PR 5.2.3

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The FSA would expect the annual information update to refer to or contain information that is published or made available under:
(1) Part 6 of the Act;
(3) Regulation No 1606/2002 on the application of international accounting standards;
(4) the Companies Act 2006 or, for an overseas company, the relevant companies legislation of the place where it is incorporated, relating to the regulation of securities, issuers and securities markets; and
(5) laws and rules of other EEA States and third countries that relate to the regulation of securities, issuers of securities and securities markets. [Note: article 10.1 PD]

Details to be provided in information update

PR 5.2.4

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The annual information update may refer to information rather than including that information.

PR 5.2.5

See Notes

handbook-rule
If the annual information update refers to information it must state where the information can be obtained. [Note: article 10.2 PD]

PR 5.2.6

See Notes

handbook-guidance
If the annual information update refers to information it should also:
(1) give a short description of the nature of the information; and
(2) specify the date and place of filing (if applicable), and the date of publication, of the information.

PR 5.2.7

See Notes

handbook-eu-text
Article 27 (3) of the PD Regulation provides for the following statement to be included in the annual information update:

Filing and publication of information update

PR 5.2.8

See Notes

handbook-rule
The issuer must file the annual information update with the FSA by notifying it to a RIS. [Note: article 10.2 PD]

PR 5.2.9

See Notes

handbook-eu-text
Articles 27 (1) and (2) of the PD Regulation provide for when the annual information update must be filed and published and for the method of publication.

PR 5.3

Certificate of approval

PR 5.3.1

See Notes

handbook-uk-text
Sections 87H and 87I of the Act provide:

Requests to FSA to supply certificate of approval

PR 5.3.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
(1) This rule applies to a request by a person to the FSA to supply information referred to in section 87I of the Act to the competent authority of a relevant Host State.
(2) The request must be in writing and must include:
(a) the relevant prospectus as approved (if it has already been approved); and
(b) a translation of the summary if required by the competent authority of a relevant host State.

PR 5.3.3

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The FSA will inform the person who made the request as soon as practicable after it has supplied the information to the other competent authority.

Certificate received from another competent authority

PR 5.3.4

See Notes

handbook-guidance
If the FSA receives information referred to in section 87H from another competent authority it will as soon as practicable give notice on the FSA website that it has received the information.

PR 5.4

Qualified investors register

Register of qualified investors

PR 5.4.1

See Notes

handbook-uk-text
Section 87R of the Act provides:

Applying for registration

PR 5.4.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
(1) An individual or small and medium-sized enterprise may apply to the FSA to be registered as a qualified investor.
(2) The application must be in writing in form B and must certify:
(a) for a small and medium-sized enterprise that the enterprise satisfies at least two of the three criteria in article 2.1.(f) of the prospective directive and specify which of the criteria are satisfied; or
(b) for an individual that the individual satisfies at least two of the three criteria in article 2.2 of the prospectus directive and specify which of the criteria are satisfied.

Note: Forms referred to in these rules are available on the FSA website.

PR 5.4.3

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The FSA will try to inform the applicant of its decision and (if appropriate) issue a certificate of registration within three working days after it receives the application.

Renewal of registration

PR 5.4.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
Registration will be valid from July 1 (or such later date as registration occurs) until 30 June each year.

PR 5.4.5

See Notes

handbook-rule
An individual or small and medium-sized enterprise wishing to remain on the register must apply in accordance with PR 5.4.2 R to renew their registration each year.

Removal of name from register

PR 5.4.6

See Notes

handbook-rule
If an individual or a small and medium-sized enterprise wishes to be removed from the register, they must make a written request to the FSA to be removed.

PR 5.4.7

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The FSA will try to remove the individual or enterprise from the register, and inform them that it has done so, within three working days of receiving the request.

Access to the register

PR 5.4.8

See Notes

handbook-rule
An issuer or offeror wishing to access the register must apply in writing to the FSA at least three working days before the day on which access is sought.

PR 5.4.9

See Notes

handbook-rule
The application must be in writing in form C and must include the relevant fee specified in FEES 3 .

Restriction on use of information obtained from the register

PR 5.4.10

See Notes

handbook-rule
An issuer or offeror must ensure that information it has obtained from the register is not used by it or its agent except for the purpose of:
(1) determining whether an investor is a qualified investor; or
(2) making an offer to the qualified investor
in connection with an offer.

PR 5.4.11

See Notes

handbook-rule
An issuer or offeror must ensure that information about a qualified investor it has obtained from the register is kept secure and is not disclosed by it or its agent to any person (other than to the qualified investor themselves or to a person acting on the qualified investor's behalf in relation to the offer).
Note: Information obtained from the register is confidential information under section 348 of the Act. Therefore a recipient of the information is also likely to be subject to the restrictions on disclosure of confidential information set out in that section. Use of the information for any purpose other than that referred to in PR 5.4.10 R or disclosure to any other person may result in a breach of section 348 (contravention of which is punishable by a fine or imprisonment or both).

PR 5.5

Persons responsible for a prospectus

Persons responsible for a prospectus

PR 5.5.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
The rules in this section specify in accordance with section 84(1)(d) of the Act and for the purposes of Part 6 of the Act, the persons responsible for a prospectus.
Note: In accordance with PR 1.1.9 a reference in this section to a prospectus includes a supplementary prospectus.

Rules only apply if UK is Home State

PR 5.5.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
The rules in this section only apply in respect of a prospectus if the United Kingdom is the Home State for the issuer in relation to the transferable securities to which the prospectus relates.

Equity shares

PR 5.5.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
(1) This rule applies to a prospectus relating to:
(b) warrants or options to subscribe for equity shares, that are issued by the issuer of the equity shares; and
(c) other transferable securities that have similar characteristics to transferable securities referred to in paragraphs (a) or (b).
(2) Each of the following persons are responsible for the prospectus:
(b) if the issuer is a body corporate:
(i) each person who is a director of that body corporate when the prospectus is published; and
(ii) each person who has authorised himself to be named, and is named, in the prospectus as a director or as having agreed to become a director of that body corporate either immediately or at a future time;
(c) each person who accepts, and is stated in the prospectus as accepting, responsibility for the prospectus;
(d) in relation to an offer:
(i) the offeror, if this is not the issuer; and
(ii) if the offeror is a body corporate and is not the issuer, each person who is a director of the body corporate when the prospectus is published;
(e) in relation to a request for the admission to trading of transferable securities:
(i) the person requesting admission, if this is not the issuer; and
(ii) if the person requesting admission is a body corporate and is not the issuer, each person who is a director of the body corporate when the prospectus is published; and
(f) each person not falling within any of the previous paragraphs who has authorised the contents of the prospectus.

All other securities

PR 5.5.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
(1) This rule applies to a prospectus relating to transferable securities other than those to which PR 5.5.3 R applies.
(2) Each of the following persons are responsible for the prospectus:
(b) each person who accepts, and is stated in the prospectus as accepting, responsibility for the prospectus;
(c) in relation to an offer, the offeror of the transferable securities, if this is not the issuer;
(d) in relation to a request for an admission to trading of transferable securities, the person requesting admission, if this is not the issuer;
(e) if there is a guarantor for the issue, the guarantor in relation to information in the prospectus that relates to the guarantor and the guarantee; and
(f) each person not falling within any of the previous paragraphs who has authorised the contents of the prospectus.

Issuer not responsible if it has not authorised offer or admission to trading

PR 5.5.5

See Notes

handbook-rule
A person is not responsible for a prospectus under PR 5.5.3R (2)(a) or (b) or PR 5.5.4 R (2)(a) if the issuer has not made or authorised the offer or the request for admission to trading in relation to which the prospectus was published.

Publication without director's consent

PR 5.5.6

See Notes

handbook-rule
A person is not responsible for a prospectus under PR 5.5.3 R (2)(b)(i) if it is published without his knowledge or consent and on becoming aware of its publication he, as soon as practicable, gives reasonable public notice that it was published without his knowledge or consent.

Offeror not responsible in certain circumstances

PR 5.5.7

See Notes

handbook-rule
A person is not responsible for a prospectus under PR 5.5.3 R (2)(d) or PR 5.5.4 R (2)(c) if:
(1) the issuer is responsible for the prospectus in accordance with the rules in this section;
(2) the prospectus was drawn up primarily by the issuer, or by one or more persons acting on behalf of the issuer; and
(3) the offeror is making the offer in association with the issuer.

Person may accept responsibility for, or authorise, part of contents

PR 5.5.8

See Notes

handbook-rule
A person who accepts responsibility for a prospectus under PR 5.5.3 R (2)(c) or PR 5.5.4 R (2)(b) or authorises the contents of a prospectus under PR 5.5.3 R (2)(f) or PR 5.5.4 R (2)(f), may state that they do so only in relation to specified parts of the prospectus, or only in specified respects, and in that case the person is responsible under those paragraphs:
(1) only to the extent specified; and
(2) only if the material in question is included in (or substantially in) the form and context to which the person has agreed.

Advice in a professional capacity

PR 5.5.9

See Notes

handbook-rule
Nothing in the rules in this section is to be construed as making a person responsible for any prospectus by reason only of the person giving advice about its contents in a professional capacity.

PR 5.6

Miscellaneous

Information to be disclosed to all investors to whom offer addressed

PR 5.6.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
Where, in relation to an offer in the United Kingdom, no prospectus is required under the Act, the issuer and offeror must ensure that material information they provide to qualified investors or special categories of investors, including information disclosed in the context of meetings relating to offers, is disclosed to all qualified investors or special categories of investors to whom the offer is exclusively addressed. [Note: article 15.5 PD]

PR 5.6.2

See Notes

handbook-guidance
Where a prospectus is required to be made available to the public under the Act, information referred to in PR 5.6.1 R should be included in the prospectus or in a supplementary prospectus.

Exercise of powers under section 87K or 87L of the Act

PR 5.6.3

See Notes

handbook-guidance
Under sections 87K and 87L of the Act, the FSA has various powers including powers to prohibit or suspend an offer and to prohibit or suspend an advertisement. The FSA will use these powers if it is necessary to protect investors or the smooth operation of the market is, or may be, jeopardised.

Calculation of amounts not denominated in euros

PR 5.6.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
For the purposes of these rules, an amount (in relation to an amount denominated in euros) is an "equivalent amount" if it is an amount of equal value denominated wholly or partly in another currency or unit of account, calculated at:
(1) in relation to a prospectus drawn up as a single document, the date on which the prospectus is approved;
(2) in relation to a prospectus consisting of a registration document together with a securities note and a summary, the date on which the registration document is approved;
(3) in relation to a prospectus consisting of a base prospectus and final terms of the offer, the date on which the final terms are filed.

Property valuation reports

PR 5.6.5

See Notes

handbook-guidance
To comply with paragraph 130 of the CESR recommendations, the FSA would expect a valuation report for a property company to be in accordance with either:
(1) the Appraisal and Valuation Standards (5th edition) issued by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; or
(2) the International Valuation Standards (7th edition) issued by the International Valuation Standards Committee.

PR 5.6.6

See Notes

handbook-guidance
To comply with paragraph 2.7 of Annex XV of the PD Regulation, the FSA would also expect a valuation report for a property collective investment undertaking to comply with a relevant standard set out in PR 5.6.5 G.

PR App 1

Relevant definitions

PR App 1.1

PR App 1.1.1

Note: The following definitions relevant to the prospectus rules are extracted from the Glossary.

PR App 2

Fees

PR App 2.1

The provisions outlined in PR App 2.1 in relation to fees are set out in FEES 3 Annex 5R Part 2

PR App 3

Schedules and Building Blocks and Table of Combinations of Schedules and Building Blocks

PR App 3.1

PR App 3.1.1

See Notes

handbook-eu-text
The following schedules and building blocks and tables of combinations are copied from the PD Regulation:
ANNEX I
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Share Registration Document (schedule)
ANNEX II
Pro forma financial information building block
ANNEX III
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Share Securities Note (schedule)
ANNEX IV
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Debt and Derivative Securities Registration Document (schedule)
(Debt and derivative securities with a denomination per unit of less than EUR 50 000)
ANNEX V
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Securities Note related to Debt securities (schedule)
(Debt securities with a denomination per unit of less than EUR 50 000)
ANNEX VI
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees
(Additional building block)
ANNEX VII
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for Asset Backed Securities Registration Document (schedule)
ANNEX VIII
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Asset Backed Securities additional Building Block
ANNEX IX
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Debt and Derivative securities Registration Document (schedule)
(Debt and derivative securities with a denomination per unit of at least EUR 50,000)
ANNEX X
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Depository Receipts issued over shares (schedule)
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ISSUER OF THE UNDERLYING SHARES
ANNEX XI
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Banks Registration Document (schedule)
ANNEX XII
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Securities Note for derivative securities (schedule)
ANNEX XIII
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Securities Note for debt securities with a denomination per unit of at least EUR 50 000
(Schedule)
ANNEX XIV
Additional information building block on underlying share for some equity securities
ANNEX XV
Minimum disclosure requirements for the registration document for securities issued by collective investment undertakings of the closed-end type (schedule)
In addition to the information required in this schedule, the collective investment undertaking must provide the following information as required under paragraphs and items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.1, 7, 9.1, 9.2.1, 9.2.3, 10.4, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.2, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 in annex I (minimum disclosure requirements for the share Registration Document schedule).
ANNEX XVI
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Registration Document for securities issued by Member States, third countries and their regional and local authorities (schedule)
ANNEX XVII
Minimum Disclosure Requirements for the Registration Document for securities issued by Public International Bodies and for debt securities guaranteed by a member state of the OECD (schedule)
ANNEX XVIII
Table of combinations

Transitional Provisions

PR TR

Transitional Provisions

Transitional Provisions