Financial Services Authority Handbook

How do I know the Handbook is up to date?
The Handbook online is updated regularly. When the 'Handbook at' calendar is set at today's date, it shows all the amendments that have come into force on or before today. However, the definitive version of the Handbook is published in instruments on our website. (See Part 1: Viewing the Handbook online/ Menu: Handbook)
How do I know the Guides to the Handbook are up to date?
Guides to the Handbook are not updated daily so some material in them may be out of date. (see Part 1: Viewing the Handbook online/ Menu: Guides/ Instruments)
What are the benefits of logging into the FSA site?
Log into the FSA site by selecting 'log in' on the toolbar. By logging into the FSA website, in addition to having access to the Handbook, guides and instruments, you will be able to:
- receive notification by e-mail of any changes made to the Handbook and guides and instruments
- set up 'Watched topics' so that you can receive an e-mail alert when changes occur to specific chapters and sections of the Handbook
- save search results and revisit them at a later date.
- change your details (email address or password).
- Build your own handbook by answering a series of 10 questions; the personal handbook will contain just the rules and guidance the authorised person needs
- Select your favourite handbook for one click access from the homepage
- Share your personal handbooks with other registered users of Handbook online
- Create User Notes in your personal handbook for your own reference and those you have shared your personal handbook with.
(see Part 1: Viewing the Handbook online/ Log in - Personal Options)
Can I see how the Handbook will look at a date in the future?
You can view the Handbook with changes that have been made by the FSA, and which are due to come into force on and before a specific date in the future, by changing the date on the 'Handbook at' calendar at the top of the screen. (See Time Travel - future)
How can I see what changes have been, or are due to be made, to the Handbook?
You can view changes which have been or are due to be made to a section or chapter of a Handbook module (manual or sourcebook), by entering the required section or chapter and clicking on the instruments icon next to the heading. This will open a temporary window which lists the dates in reverse chronological order showing when the rule has or will be amended with a link to the corresponding instrument. (see Part 3: Navigation in the Handbook/Icons at the top of the text/Instruments)
How do I keep up to date with changes to the Handbook or a Tailored handbook?
You can keep up to date with all changes that have been made to the Handbook in the last month by clicking on 'What's New' on the toolbar. You can also receive an e-mail to alert you of these changes by clicking on this option when you log in. (See Part 6: Handbook Alerts/What's New)
How do I track changes made to a specific topic (i.e. Handbook sourcebook or section)?
When in a Handbook module (and you have logged in), you can 'watch a topic' by clicking on the 'binoculars' icon at the top of the window and following the instructions. An email alert will be sent to you every time a change is made to that topic. (see Part 6: Handbook Alerts/Watch Topics)
How can I see a list of the topics I receive e-mail alerts for?
You can view and manage your list of 'watched topics' by clicking on 'Alerts' under 'Personal Options' on the toolbar. (see Part 6: Handbook Alerts)
How can I navigate around the handbook?
You can navigate around the handbook by using the table of contents on the left of the screen. By clicking on the title in the table of contents you can expand and contract a heading to show or hide the contents underneath it. (see Part 3: Navigation in the Handbook/ Table of Contents).
What happens if I click on a cross reference or a link?
The cross-references are blue for links within the page you are viewing and green for links to another part of the Handbook, or to an external site. Grey links take you to the glossary definition for that word. Use the cross-references and links to jump to other provisions in the Handbook. (see Part 3: Navigation in the Handbook/ Cross-references and hyperlinks within the text).
How do I keep track of where I am in the system when following the cross references?
You will always know where you are in the system as the table of contents automatically 'expands' to reflect the text you are currently looking at. (see Part 3: Navigation in the Handbook/ cross references & hyperlinks in the text).
How do I find the meaning of a term?
Defined terms are in grey italics. A definition will appear in a temporary window when you click on the term. The full Glossary of definitions can be found in the table of contents on the left of the screen. (see Part 3: Navigation in the Handbook/ Glossary of definitions).
What do the icons at the top of the text mean?
The following icons appear at the top of the text:
- 'Yellow User Note'
  Show and Hide User Notes that have been created; this function allows users to create, edit and delete User Notes (see Part 9: Build your own handbook/User Notes for personal handbooks).
- 'Binoculars'
  Watch topic (see Part 6: Handbook Alerts/ Watch topics)
- 'Documents'
  Access documents relevant to that part of the Handbook (see Part 3: Navigation in the Handbook/Icons at the top of the text/Useful documents)
- 'Email a link'
  Send a link via email of the part of the text you are viewing (see Part 5: Copy & Printing\Print & Download Options\Download a chapter or section of the full Handbook)
- 'PDF page'
  View a module, chapter or section in PDF format (i.e. FSA's printed version of the Handbook) (see Part 5: Copy & Printing\Print & Download Options\PDF Reader)
- 'Printer'
  Print the page you are viewing (see Part 5: Copy & Printing \ Print & Download Options \ Printing chapter or section in HTML)
What do the icons next to section heading mean?
The following icons appear next to the sourcebook or section heading:
- 'Hide'
  Hide / Show all guidance and superscript numbers (see Part 3: Navigation in the Handbook/Icons at the top of the text/Hide Guidance)
- 'Instruments'
  View the amending instrument history and future of the section you are in. (see Part 3: Navigation in the Handbook/Icons at the top of the text/Instruments)
What do the icons next to provisions in my personal handbook mean?
The following icons appear next to a provision when User Notes are set to show:
- 'Yellow User Note'
  User Note access to view, edit and manage details of the User Note (see Part 9: Build your own handbook/User Notes for personal handbooks)
- 'Grey User Note'
  Create User Note where no User Note currently exists (see Part 9: Build your own handbook/User Notes for personal handbooks)
What do the letters or flags next to a paragraph mean?
The letters or flags next to a paragraph of text indicate the status of the paragraph (see Reader's Guide).
What does the date next to a paragraph refer to?
The date next to a paragraph of text refers to the last date this text was amended (see Part 3: Navigation in the Handbook).
How do I save the results of searches I have conducted?
You can save the results of a search by clicking on 'save search' in the results list and following the instructions. To view and manage the results from previous searches you have conducted, click on 'My searches' in the toolbar. (see Part 4: Searching Handbook online/ Save searches)
How can I copy and paste information from the Handbook to another application?
Before copying and pasting information from the Handbook into your own application, you must read our copyright policy (see Legal Information). You can copy and paste information from the normal text view, not the PDF view, to another Windows application by using the 'Paste Special' option and selecting 'Unformatted Text' in the dialog box (see Part 5: Copying & printing/ Copy & paste)
Can I download a chapter or section of the handbook?
Before downloading a section of a Handbook module chapter, you must read our copyright policy (see Legal information). (see Part 5: Copy & printing\Print & download options\Download a section of a Handbook module chapter)
How can the format of the FSA's printed version of the Handbook be adopted for printing out a chapter or section?
You can load a PDF version of the section by clicking the PDF Reader icon . The PDF format is the same as that of the FSA's printed version of the handbook. You can print this view. (see Part 5: Copy & Printing\Print & Download Options\PDF Reader). If you wish to download a Handbook module (for example, the whole of Principles for Business (PRIN)) this functionality is available on the FSA Handbook CD-ROM.

Part 1: Viewing the Handbook online [Back To Top]

Handbook online is designed to work with all capable browsers and is best viewed in the Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer browsers at a screen resolution of 800x600 or greater. For optimal performance and functionality, use Internet Explorer 6.

Your web browser must be capable of using 128-bit encryption technology.

To check which type of Web browser you are currently using, please click the 'Help' menu in the Web Browser and look for the 'About' option in the drop-down list.

If your screen does not seem to refresh or appears stuck on one page, you may be experiencing 'caching' problems. To overcome this, press the Control key along with the F5 key simultaneously. If this does not resolve the issue, please contact Technical Support.

To increase the amount of text you can see on the screen, press the F11 key. Press again to return to your usual view.

Part 2: Navigation from the home page [Back To Top]

Menu: Home

Home

You can select 'Handbook online home' at any point to return to the home page.

FSA.gov.uk

Select 'FSA website home' to return to the main FSA website home page.

Menu: Handbook

Full Handbook

Select Full Handbook from the drop-down menu to go to the consolidated version of the FSA Handbook of rules and guidance.

The consolidated version of the Handbook incorporates all the amendments that have been made, and is updated regularly. When the 'Handbook at' calendar in the grey bar is set to today's date, it shows all the amendments that have come into force on or before today. You can also view future consolidated versions (see Time travel below). If we have not yet been able to consolidate an instrument, we will publish a message on the 'What's New' page.

Please be aware that the definitive version of the Handbook for legal purposes (including for actions brought by third parties) remains the instruments as published on our website.

Tailored handbooks

Select 'Tailored handbooks' from the drop-down menu to view guidance and a list of the 14 tailored handbooks available. Use the links in the table to view the attributes associated with each handbook.

Focus On handbooks

Select 'Focus On' from the drop-down menu to view guidance and a list of the 20 Focus On handbooks available. Use the links in the table to access key material in the Handbook on the subjects listed.

Personal handbooks

Select 'Personal handbooks' from the drop-down menu to view the 'Build your own handbook' tool enabling you to build, view and manage personal handbooks for up to 10 authorised persons. A personal handbook contains just the rules and guidance the authorised person needs. You can also share your personal handbook with other registered users and create User Notes for your personal handbooks.

My Favourite handbook

Select ' My Favourite handbook' from the drop-down menu to access the handbook you use most frequently, whether the Full Handbook, a tailored handbook or a personal handbook (see Part 10 - Favourite handbook).

Menu: What's new

Click on the 'What's new' toolbar link to see a list of developments relating to the Handbook over the last month, including:

instruments;
handbook publications; and
consultation papers, discussion papers, and policy statements.

Menu: Instruments/guides

Select 'Instruments/guides' from the toolbar menu to access the full range of Guides to the Handbook and the instruments. The Guides are updated periodically.

Reader's Guide

The Reader's guide is an introduction to the structure and content of the Handbook and how to use it.

Handbook Guides

These guides point particular types of firm to the material that is most relevant.

Regulatory Guides

These are guides to regulatory topics.

Instruments

Section 153 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 requires us to exercise our rule-making powers in writing. This part of the website fulfils our duty to publish the rule-making instruments.

Taken together, the instruments (but not the non-Handbook instruments) contain the definitive version of the Handbook at any particular time.

We put instruments on our website as soon as possible after we have made them.

For details of the non-legal changes made to the Handbook, see the list in the What's new page.

Menu: Log in / personal options

Select 'Log in' from the toolbar menu to log in to Handbook online, by simply entering your email address and a password. You will then receive alerts of changes to the Handbook. The menu button changes to 'Personal options' when you are logged in.

Menu: Help

The Help option on the toolbar gives you access to this User guide, Useful links and to download Adobe Acrobat.

Menu: Contact us

Select Contact us to:

give feedback on the content or function of Handbook online, or provide other comments or suggestions, using a simple feedback form; and
ask questions about the use of the service or the content of the Handbook.

Part 3: Navigation in the Handbook [Back To Top]

Select the sourcebook you would like to see using the table of contents appearing on the left of the screen.

The table of contents changes depending on the type of content you are looking at. To get an idea of how it works, first pick the type of content you want - such as the full Handbook - from the navigation toolbar at the top of the screen. Next, look at the table of contents for the heading that interests you. Click on the heading to expand and contract the table of contents.

The most efficient method of browsing Handbook content is to use the table of contents on the left hand side of your screen. You can do this by clicking on the 'block' name (for example, Regulatory Processes) and then selecting the module you require (for example, SUP Supervision). The table of contents will expand as you select chapters and sections of that module. To close the table of contents click on the section, chapter, module or block name. The tables on the right hand side of the screen give you short-cuts to particular sections of the Handbook.

Cross references and hyperlinks within the text

We have provided a number of cross references and hyperlinks within the text to help you locate the information you need quickly and easily.

Glossary of definitions

Defined terms appear in grey italics. The defined term will be underlined and will act as a link that will bring up the definition in a different window. You can also access the full Glossary of definitions by selecting the Glossary link in the table of contents on the left of the screen.

Moving to other parts of the Handbook

Click on the green or blue links to be taken directly to that part of the Handbook. The links are blue for text within the page you are viewing and green for text in another part of the Handbook.

Linking to other websites

Click on the green links to follow a cross reference outside the Handbook.

Icons next to a paragraph of text

Status

The letter or flag icons (e.g. R, E, G, D, UK, EU, P or C) indicate the status of that paragraph - be it a rule or guidance etc.

Refer to the Reader's Guide for further information.

Effective date

The date appearing to the left of each provision relates to the last date the text was amended. The online Handbook starts from 01/01/2005, for all provisions that have not been amended since this date no date will appear.

Icons at the top of the text

Instruments

Click this icon to view the history and future of the section you are in. Clicking the icon reveals a list of dates in reverse chronological order showing when the section has been - or will be - amended with a link to the corresponding instrument. The numbers in the first column relate to the superscript numbers in the text.

An alternative way to do this would be to click directly on the superscript number in the text, to link straight to the amending instrument. Red superscript numbers indicate a future amendment and blue numbers indicate a past amendment.

This feature is comprehensive for instruments that came into force on or after 1 December 2004 and we will be adding earlier instruments as resources allow.

Hide guidance

Click this icon to hide all guidance and superscript numbers and view only Handbook paragraphs with the designation R, E, D, UK, EU, P and C. Click 'Show guidance' to see hidden material again.

Useful documents

To access documents relevant to the part of the Handbook you are looking at, click on the 'Useful documents' icon at the top of the text. Depending on the part of the text you are in, one or more of the following links will be available:

consultation papers, discussion papers, policy statements, feedback
waivers
forms; and
other helpful information and links.

Watch topic/print buttons

For details, please see below under Handbook alerts and print and download options.

Show/Hide User Notes

This icon will only appear when you are logged on to Handbook Online and viewing a personal handbook. You can add, view, edit and delete User Notes within your own personal handbooks and view User Notes in a personal handbook that has been shared with you. A User Note is related to a provision in the handbook and can contain any information you think is relevant to you.

Time travel - future

To view a consolidated version of the full Handbook as it will be at a certain date in the future, use the 'Handbook at' calendar at the top of the text. The text will incorporate all the amendments which have been made and which will come into force on or before that date. We cannot, of course, show amendments that have not yet been made by the FSA.

When you are viewing a future version of the Handbook, the calendar will be red, and the colour of the screen will change so that you are aware that you are in a future version of Handbook. Click on 'Set to today' to return to the current date.

Time travel - past

To view a consolidated version of the full Handbook as it was at a certain date in the past, use the 'Handbook at' calendar at the top of the text. The text will incorporate all the amendments which have been made and which will come into force on or before that date.

When you are viewing a past version of the Handbook, the calendar will be blue, and the colour of the screen will change so that you are aware that you are in a past version of the Handbook. Click on 'Set to today' to return to the current date.

If you set a date before 1 January 2005 you will only be able to view past versions of the Handbook as they appeared on the monthly FSA CD. Follow the instructions on the past versions page to access the month and year you require (these date back to 2001). Material surrounding the Historic versions of the Full Handbook may contain links to the web, some of which are no longer active. Should you wish to access this material please go to www.fsa.gov.uk.

Part 4: Searching the FSA Handbook online [Back To Top]

Accessing Search tips (this page)

Click the Search tips link at the top right-hand corner of the screen at any time to access the following guidance on conducting the most appropriate search for your needs.

Case Sensitivity

Handbook searches are not case sensitive. So, searching for 'controller', 'Controller' and 'CONTROLLER' will produce the same results.

Boolean Searching

When performing a standard search for more than one word, the results will contain all your search terms, but the words could appear anywhere within the document and in any order.

In Boolean Searching you use the uppercase words AND or OR between terms to alter the way searching is done.

AND searching is the default search method. So for example:

If you search for 'reporting requirements', this is the same as searching for 'reporting' AND 'requirements' and will return around 800 hits, each of which contains both terms.
However if you search for Reporting OR requirements it will find documents that contain either word, giving around 2000 hits.

Exact phrase Searching

Multiple word searches will be ordered by how often each word appears concurrently and separately within a document. To search by a specific phrase use inverted commas around the whole phrase. For example: "current regulated activities".

About Basic Search

To run a search on all the content of the FSA Handbook online, type keywords into the search box on the top right-hand corner of the screen. You will retrieve all documents now in force containing your search terms, ordered from the most relevant to the least relevant. Your search term will appear within the context of the document in which it is found. The original search term will be highlighted.

About Advanced Search

To run a search on a specific module, or for documents restricted to being in force on a particular date or date range click on the advanced search link in the top right hand corner of the screen. You will be given a more detailed search form which allows you to specify additional search parameters to limit your search:

Effective date: We now store multiple versions of each handbook document, one for each time it changes. Using the "From" and "To" boxes you can limit your search to one or more of these versions.
Handbook: You can limit your search to one of our Focus On or Tailored handbooks, or search the full handbook (default).
Modules: You can select one or more sections of the handbook or guides. Where a module has been revoked, the revoked date will be shown, but you will still have to set an appropriate date (see above) if your search is to work.

Managing your results

Filtering by Attributes

Search results can be filtered in one of two ways.

Clicking on limits your search to a particular area.
Clicking on removes an area from your results.

In both cases the filtering, once applied, can be undone by clicking on the icon.

Some filters work only on Handbook Content, some work on Files (Forms, Word Documents, LI PDF's etc) and some work on both.

The following filters can be used to tailor a set of results:

Content Type - filters different parts of the handbook TPs, Schedules and "Sections" - those parts of the handbook other than Glossary, Annexes, Schedules and TPs.
Revoked Date - this allows you to filter your results to include or exclude documents that were or will be revoked in a certain year/month or even on a certain day.
Effective Date - this allows you to filter your results to include or exclude documents that were or will become effective in a certain year/month or even on a certain day.
Handbook/Guide - your results can be from either Handbook or Guide (it is not possible to choose between handbook guides and regulatory guides).
Data Source - select Database (which is handbook content including guides) or PDF/Word/Excel content which includes Legislation and Forms.
Amending Instrument - handbook content amended by a certain Legal Instrument.
Document Type - available types are Legislation, Forms, Guides and Handbook.
Module - this works only for Handbook content and Forms.
Document - can be used when searching over a range of dates in Advanced Search. It allows you to see to multiple versions of the same document as it changes over time. This is especially useful when comparing versions of the same document over a date range.

Filtering by Keywords

The keywords filter allows a user to restrict their results to a set of documents relevant to a particular topic.

Sorting by relevancy

This is the default order of your search results. By clicking on the relevancy link at the top right hand side of the search results you can return to sorting your results by relevancy at any time. Documents containing more instances of your key terms will be ranked higher than those with fewer mentions. However, not all key terms are weighted equally; some are considered of higher importance. We have determined importance by the probability of the term accurately describing the content of the retrieved document and also how rare that word is. For example, a very rare word for the FSA Handbook - like 'weather' - will be given more weight than a frequently-used word like 'firm'.

We have also given weighting to different document types so that certain documents usually appear above other types in a results list, in the following order:

Handbook and Glossary (apart from TP's and Schedules)
Transactional Provisions
Schedules
Guides
Legislation
Forms

Sorting by date

Clicking on the date link at the top right hand side of the search results lets you sort your results by date. This will order your results in reverse chronological order (most recent at top) by effective date.

Part 5: Copying and printing [Back To Top]

Please see the legal information for our copyright policy.

Copy and paste

To copy and paste text to your own application:

use the normal text view (not PDF);
click of the first letter of the first word that you want to copy;
either drag (hold the mouse button down as you move the pointer) to the last letter in the last word that you want to copy, or hold the SHIFT key down and click on the last letter in the last word that you want to copy;
select Copy from your Web browser's Edit menu or press CTRL+c;
paste the text into another Windows application by using the Paste Special option (usually under the Edit menu) and selecting Unformatted Text in the dialog box.

Print and download options

Printing the page you are viewing in HTML

Click on the printer friendly icon at the top of the Handbook page to load a printer-friendly HTML version (the format will differ from the online Handbook). You can then view or print the section you are currently in.

Please note this HTML printer-friendly version will not be formatted in the same way as the FSA's printed version of the Handbook. If you would like to print with that formatting, please print from the PDF as described below.

Email a link to part of the Handbook

Click on the 'Email a link' icon at the top of the Handbook page and a link to the section of the module chapter you are viewing will be downloaded automatically to an email which you can send to another email address with a message.

PDF Reader

Click this icon to load the PDF version of the module, chapter or section you are viewing (the format will differ from that of the online Handbook, and will be the same as that contained in the FSA's printed version of the Handbook). You can then print this view.

Part 6: Handbook alerts [Back To Top]

The alerts feature can be found under 'Personal options' in the toolbar menu. You need to log in to use this feature.

This feature enables you to receive an automatic notification each time a change is made to information you have access to in the Handbook.

There are two types of Handbook alert:

what's new; and
watch topic.

What's new

You will receive what's new alerts when:

we add new features to our Handbook publication system;
new Instruments are made;
new Handbook Notices are issued; and
new Handbook Development Newsletters are published.

To unsubscribe from these Handbook alerts you will have to be logged in. Once logged in follow these steps:

Select ‘Personal Options’ from the navigation bar;
Click on ‘Change Details’ from the drop down menu;
Uncheck the box ‘Receive what's new emails’; and
Click update.

These changes will be saved and you will no longer receive Handbook alerts.

This service is separate from the CP and Publications update system. If you are registered for the CP and Publications updates you still will need to register again for these Handbook alerts.

Watch topic

You are able to set up your own, bespoke alerts, using the 'watch topic' feature. When you are in the Handbook, you can elect to 'watch a topic' by following these simple steps:

click on the 'binoculars' icon at the top of the handbook window;
enter a name for the document; and
type any note you want to associate with this document.

This adds the topic you are viewing (ie Handbook chapter or section) to your 'watched topics' list, which you view and manage in the Alerts page.

You will receive one alert email for all the topics watched, to alert you to changes in your selected topics. Links in the email take you directly to a list of the changes.

To delete a watch topic from your list follow these simple steps:

Select ‘Personal Options’ from the navigation bar;
Click on ‘Watched topic alert list’;
Check those you wish to delete or choose ‘Select All’; and
Click ‘Delete’.

Part 7: Tailored handbooks [Back To Top]

14 firm-specific tailored handbooks are now available through the Handbook drop-down menu, including:

Authorised professional firms
Asset managers
Corporate finance advisory firms
Fund managers (collective investment scheme operators)
General insurance brokers
General insurers with sales arms
Intermediaries selling insurance, investments and mortgages
Intermediaries selling investments only
Intermediaries selling insurance and investments, but not mortgages
Intermediaries selling investments and mortgages, but not general insurance
Life insurers with sales arm
Mortgage and general insurance brokers
Mortgage brokers
Small friendly societies

These tailored handbooks contain those parts of the Full Handbook applying to particular types of firms or sectors. To rely upon a tailored handbook, you need to satisfy yourself that your firm matches the required attributes listed on the tailored handbook page. If your firm does not have the required attributes you will have to use the Full Handbook (see below).

Only future time travel is available in tailored handbooks. If you wish to view a past version of the Handbook, please use the full Handbook (see part 3).

For further information on the tailored handbooks, please see the tailored handbook page: http://fsahandbook.info/FSA/select-handbook/tailored.

If your firm does not have the required attributes you will have to use the Full Handbook or the 'Build your own handbook' facility (see below).

Part 8: Focus On handbooks [Back To Top]

There are 22 Focus On handbooks now available through the Handbook drop-down menu, including:

Appointed representatives
Approved persons, training & competence
(Individual approval under Part V of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, and the FSA's t&c requirements)
Authorisation and related materials
Client classification
Controllers & close links
Definitions
Fees & levies
(Fees payable to the FSA and levies payable to FOS and the FSCS)
Financial crime, market abuse and money laundering
Financial promotion
(Rules on advertising, cold calling and other marketing)
Financial ombudsman service
Operational risk
Outsourcing
Perimeter guidance
(Detailed guidance on the boundaries of the authorisation requirement)
Passporting
(Exercising the right to passport into or from the European Economic Area under the Single Market Directives)
Permissions
(Obtaining or varying permission to carry on regulated activities under Part IV of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000)
Product disclosure
Professional indemnity insurance
Record keeping
Reporting and notifications to the FSA
Senior management arrangements
Suitable advice
Waivers
(How to get a waiver and guidance on specific types of waivers)

This tool will help you find key material on the subjects listed above quickly and easily. The material is extracted from the Handbook and the guides but may not be exhaustive - for example, it will not include all relevant application or transitional provisions. For further information on a subject, please see the full Handbook or use the search facility. Only future time travel is available in Focus on handbooks. If you wish to view a past version of the Handbook, please use the full Handbook (see part 3).

Part 9: Build your own handbook [Back To Top]

The Build your own handbook tool enables you to build, view and manage personal handbooks for up to 10 authorised persons. You will need to answer a series of questions about the authorised person.

A personal handbook contains just the rules and guidance the authorised person needs and will be updated automatically. Only future time travel is available in personal handbooks. If you wish to view a past version of the Handbook, please use the full Handbook (see part 3).

The Build your own handbook start screen will give you the options to:

build a personal handbook
view & manage your personal handbook(s)
share a personal handbook
choose a personal handbook as your favourite handbook for easy access
view all personal handbook questions

Step-by-step instructions are provided to guide you through the process. It should take less than 45 minutes to complete building your own Handbook if you are familiar with your firm's business and the FSA's regulatory system.

Share your personal handbook

The "share a personal handbook" functionality enables you to share any number of personal handbooks with any number of registered users on the site. Only completed personal handbooks can be shared and will be displayed in a read only mode on the view and manage personal handbooks list alongside any current personal handbooks.

Click on 'Share a personal handbook' to select a completed handbook from the drop down list and enter the email address of the registered user you would like to share with. Only one email address can be entered at a time to ensure the email address is valid.

You can view the details of who you have shared personal handbooks with at the bottom of the page. You can delete personal handbooks at any time.

When a personal handbook is shared or deleted by a registered user there is no automatic notification to the person who has been given permission to share.

A person given permission to read a personal handbook built by someone else reads it on the same basis as the person who built it. It is the responsibility of the reader to ensure that the personal handbook reflects the profile of the firm seeking to rely on it.

For purposes of reliance on it, the FSA will treat the reader as if he was the person who built it. As part of the instructions for building a personal handbook, the FSA has said "If you have followed the instructions on these screens and your firm breaches a requirement in the Handbook because you reasonably rely on the fact that it isn't in your personal handbook, we will not bring disciplinary action." To see a copy of the instructions and the answers to them you should contact the person who built it.

Changes to the personal handbook, whether made by the owner of the personal handbook or caused by a change in the full Handbook, will not generate a notification to the reader.

Click on 'View and manage your personal handbook(s)' to see personal handbooks that have been shared with you.

User notes for personal handbooks

The User Notes tool allows the person who builds a personal handbook to add, view, edit and delete 'User Notes' to personal handbook provisions.

The User Note functionality is activated / deactivated by clicking on the User Notes icon at the top of any section of a personal handbook.

User Notes can be created, edited, deleted or viewed by a user by clicking on the User Notes icon next to the appropriate provision. Only the owner of a personal handbook can create, edit, and delete their User Notes. All users can view the User Notes applied to personal handbooks they have access to.

User Notes will also appear via the printer friendly option.

Part 10: Favourite handbook [Back To Top]

This function allows you to select the handbook you use most frequently (whether the Full Handbook, a tailored handbook or a personal handbook), and access it quickly and easily each time you enter the FSA Handbook online site from the home page. You need to log in to set your favourite handbook from the 'personal options' drop-down menu.

Part 11: Print versions of the Handbook

Information on all FSA Handbook products can be found at: www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk/FSA

User guide

Contents

Quick start guide to the Handbook online

Part 1: Viewing the Handbook online [Back To Top]

Part 2: Navigation from the home page [Back To Top]

Menu: Home

Home

FSA.gov.uk

Menu: Handbook

Full Handbook

Tailored handbooks

Focus On handbooks

Personal handbooks

My Favourite handbook

Menu: What's new

Menu: Instruments/guides

Reader's Guide

Handbook Guides

Regulatory Guides

Instruments

Menu: Log in / personal options

Menu: Help

Menu: Contact us

Part 3: Navigation in the Handbook [Back To Top]

Table of contents

Cross references and hyperlinks within the text

Glossary of definitions

Moving to other parts of the Handbook

Linking to other websites

Icons next to a paragraph of text

Status

Effective date

Icons at the top of the text

Instruments

Hide guidance

Useful documents

Watch topic/print buttons

Show/Hide User Notes

Time travel - future

Time travel - past

Part 4: Searching the FSA Handbook online [Back To Top]

Accessing Search tips (this page)

Case Sensitivity

Boolean Searching

Exact phrase Searching

About Basic Search

About Advanced Search

Managing your results

Filtering by Attributes

Filtering by Keywords

Sorting by relevancy

Sorting by date

Part 5: Copying and printing [Back To Top]

Copy and paste

Print and download options

Printing the page you are viewing in HTML

Email a link to part of the Handbook

PDF Reader

Part 6: Handbook alerts [Back To Top]

What's new

Watch topic

Part 7: Tailored handbooks [Back To Top]

Part 8: Focus On handbooks [Back To Top]

Part 9: Build your own handbook [Back To Top]

Share your personal handbook

User notes for personal handbooks

Part 10: Favourite handbook [Back To Top]

Part 11: Print versions of the Handbook