The Bar Standards Board is the regulatory body for barristers. It was established in January 2006 by the Bar Council to separate the regulatory and representative functions previously carried out by the Bar Council. It sets standards and publishes a code of conduct. It operates a complaints and disciplinary mechanism.
The Charity Commissioners are the regulators and registrar of charities. Every charity must register with the Charities Commission.
The Civil Aviation Authority regulates airports air travel services and airlines. It sets national safety standards and determines policy. The consumer protection section regulates tour operators, airliners and enforces EU regulations. The air travel organisers licensing scheme provides financial protection to consumers.
The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence is an independent body, which scrutinises and oversees the health profession regulators. It promotes good practice and regulation. It may audit decisions of regulators in relation to fitness to practise procedure.
The Competition Commission regulates and enforces competition law, mergers and monopolies. The Competition Appeal Tribunal hears appeals involving competition and economic regulatory issues. This includes appeals on decisions made by the OffMailof Fair Trading and the regulators in the telecommunications electricity, gas and water railways industries.
The Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is the Government Department responsible for productivity, enterprise business relations
The Financial Conduct Authority is the regulator of the financial services industry. This includes banks, credit unions, insurance companies, financial advisers, mortgage brokers and insurance intermediaries There are detailed authorisation and regulatory requirements set out in the FCA Handbook.
The Gambling Commission regulates commercial gambling in Britain, apart from the National Lottery.
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority is designed to curb exploitation of workers in agriculture, shellfish horticulture and other packaging and processing industries.
The General Chiropractic Council, General Dental Council, General Medical Council, General Optical Council, General Osteopathic Council, General Social Care Council regulate their respective members Registration is required and ongoing obligations apply. The bodies have powers to investigate and discipline members.
The General Teaching Council for England is the independent professional body for teaching. It maintains a register of qualified teachers and exercises a regulatory role, There is a code of conduct and practice and provision for disciplinary proceedings.
The Health Professions Council regulates members of the 13 professions including chiropodists, dietitians, paramedics and radiographers.
The Healthcare Commission regulates and inspects the NHS and independent healthcare sector providers. It reviews complaints.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and the Human Tissue Authority regulate practices in their respective areas.
The Information Commissioner office enforces data protection legislation. Registration is necessary for certain activities.
The London Stock Exchange regulates access to the Stock Exchange and administers ongoing compliance obligations for its members. It is the principal stock exchange of the United Kingdom. Its detailed rules and regulations, which are designed to maintain confidence in the market must be complied with, in order to maintain membership and quotation on the exchange.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency approves and regulates medicines and medical devices. Authorisations are required for manufacturers, wholesalers and products. Generally a CE mark is required, verifying compliance with requisite standards.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council maintains a register of midwives and specialist community, public health nurses. It regulates fitness to practice hearings and discipline.
Ofcom is the Office of Communications. It deals with broadcasting standards and regulates broadcasting and television.
The Office of Fair Trading is the body which promotes consumers interests. It enforces and provides information, help and advice in relation to many aspects of consumer protection law.
The Energy Ombudsman deals with complaints by customers of electricity and gas undertakings. It establishes industry codes in the gas and electricity markets.
Ofsted is the office for standards in education and child services and skills. It inspects and regulates childminders, childcare providers, residential schools and state maintained schools.
Ofwat regulates the 21 regional water companies and sewerage companies. It has powers in relation to charges.
Postcom is the independent regulator for postal services. It also regulates competitors to Royal mail.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons regulates veterinary surgeons.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain regulates pharmacies.
The Solicitors Regulatory Authority is the independent regulator of solicitors. It was established in 2007 to separate the representation and regulatory functions of the Law Society. A solicitor must be admitted in order to qualify to practise as a solicitor in England and Wales. Every solicitor must have take out and renew an annual practising certificate form the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.
The SRA publishes a detailed code of conduct with which solicitors must comply. It enforces the code of conduct and other legal rules which regulate solicitors’ activities. It investigates complaints and enforces breaches by way of disciplinary action. It can strike off, suspend and fine solicitors.
