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Polly James

Polly James
  1. People

Polly James

Polly James

Partner


London
Polly James
  1. People

Polly James

Polly James

Partner


London

Polly James

Partner

London

Partner and Global Practice Co-Leader - Financial Services Disputes and Investigations

T: +44 (0) 20 3400 3158

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  • Biography

  • Experience

Biography

Polly James is the global co-leader of Financial Services Disputes and Investigations and an experienced financial services regulatory lawyer. She advises financial institutions and their boards on managing regulatory risk across enforcement proceedings, supervisory interventions (including s166 reviews and use of own‑initiative powers), whistleblower matters, FOS complaints and emerging regulatory developments.

With experience on secondment to the FSA Enforcement Division, Polly brings deep insight into the regulatory process from both sides of the table. She regularly leads sensitive internal investigations within the financial services sector, particularly those involving whistleblowing or complex governance issues. Polly works closely with employment law colleagues to ensure clients receive holistic advice that addresses both regulatory and employment‑law risks.

Polly is listed as a Leading Individual for contentious regulatory work in both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500. Clients say:

Polly James is hugely impressive. Polly has a fabulous corporate client base and a superb reputation in this space. She is the go-to lawyer for regulated firms in difficulties.

Legal 500 UK 2026

Polly is innovative, calm and solution-oriented...She is an excellent lawyer and very well known.

Chambers & Partners UK 2026

Polly James stands out in providing holistic support. Rigour and depth in her technical legal advice, coupled with genuine care for her clients. You know that she's in your corner.

Legal 500 UK 2025

  • Chambers & Partners UK 2026: Band 2 - Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory (Corporates) 
  • Chambers & Partners UK 2026: Band 2 - Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory (Individuals)
  • Legal 500 UK 2026: Leading Partner- Financial Services: Contentious

Polly is Co-Chair of CityHR’s Legal and Regulatory Change Special Interest Group. Polly also sits on the advisory board of the Financial Services Lawyers Association (FSLA) and was a founding member of the FSLA Pro Bono Committee, which provides free legal representation for those unable to afford legal fees to defend cases brought against them by the FCA or PRA.

*Polly James is registered with the SRA as Mary James.

Emerging Themes in Financial Regulation & Disputes

We anticipate a pivotal year for investigations and enforcement

Our 2026 forecastIcon: arrow

Admissions

  • England and Wales

Related Capabilities

Regulation, Compliance & Advisory Regulation, Compliance & Advisory

Special Investigations Special Investigations

Litigation & Dispute Resolution Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Enforcement Enforcement

Regulation Regulation

Financial Institutions Financial Institutions

Financial Services Financial Services

Fintech Fintech

Financial Regulation Compliance & Investigations Financial Regulation Compliance & Investigations

Investigations Investigations

Regulation, Compliance & Advisory Regulation, Compliance & Advisory

Special Investigations Special Investigations

Litigation & Dispute Resolution Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Enforcement Enforcement

Regulation Regulation

Financial Institutions Financial Institutions

Financial Services Financial Services

Fintech Fintech

Financial Regulation Compliance & Investigations Financial Regulation Compliance & Investigations

Investigations Investigations

Regulation, Compliance & Advisory Regulation, Compliance & Advisory

  • Special Investigations

  • Litigation & Dispute Resolution

  • Enforcement

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  • Financial Institutions

  • Financial Services

  • Fintech

  • Financial Regulation Compliance & Investigations

  • Investigations

  • Regulation, Compliance & Advisory

Experience

Polly’s track record includes:

  • Representing a Lloyd’s syndicate and several witnesses in relation to two (unrelated) Lloyd’s of London enforcement investigations concerning allegations of non-financial misconduct;
  • Representing a former senior fund manager in a dual-track FCA enforcement investigation into alleged market manipulation;
  • Representing a director of a financial services group on an internal investigation into whistleblower allegations concerning board-level culture and conduct;
  • Representing a director of a wealth management group in connection with an FCA enforcement investigation into alleged breaches of Senior Manager Conduct Rules, securing a discontinuance of the investigation;
  • Representing a former SMF of a cryptocurrency trading platform in an FCA enforcement investigation concerning financial crime systems and controls;
  • Advising various authorised firms facing FCA interventions using its own-initiative supervisory powers (s166 Skilled Person reviews; own initiative requirements/OIREQs, own-initiative variations of permission /OIVOPs etc);
  • Representing a former senior director of an international banking group on an internal accountability review, resulting in a total exoneration of my client;
  • Conducting a cross-border trading investigation for an investment bank following allegations of front-running raised by a whistleblower;
  • Conducting two (unrelated) internal investigations for international banking groups following whistleblower allegations of corrupt hiring practices;
  • Conducting an internal investigation for an international banking group following allegations brought by a whistleblower of inappropriate disclosure of information between clients;
  • Representing an individual client in an FCA investigation into alleged insider dealing and destruction of relevant evidence;
  • Representing a former director of an asset management firm on a ‘dual track’ criminal and civil FCA enforcement investigation relating to alleged financial crime control failings, securing a discontinuance of the investigation;
  • Conducting an internal investigation for a UK subsidiary of an international bank following a whistle-blower’s allegation of financial crime risk management failures;
  • Leading a large team of lawyers and forensic accountants conducting a complex internal investigation into allegations of financial irregularities raised by a whistleblower in the asset-management sector;
  • Representing a large international insurance group on an FCA enforcement investigation into alleged mis-selling across five jurisdictions;
  • Advising firms on large or reputationally significant disputes with the Financial Ombudsman Service.

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On 3 December 2025, the PRA published Policy Statement 25/25 (PS25/25), finalising proposals from CP10/25 and introducing Supervisory Statement 4/25 (SS4/25). This replaces SS3/19 and sets out updated expectations on how banks and insurers should manage climate-related financial risks.
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Oct 16, 2025
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In the 2026 edition of Chambers UK BCLP received 36 practice area rankings and 76 individual lawyer recognitions. This year, the firm is recognized in six new practice areas and improved to a Band 1 ranking for Commercial Contracts, as well as a Band 2 ranking for Hotels and Leisure.  
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Insights
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Mar 20, 2025
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Jan 16, 2025
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