COMP 8

Rejection of application and withdrawal of offer

COMP 8.1

Application and Purpose

Application

COMP 8.1.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
This chapter applies to the FSCS.

COMP 8.1.2

See Notes

handbook-guidance
It is also relevant to claimants.

Purpose

COMP 8.1.3

See Notes

handbook-guidance
In some circumstances, it may be appropriate for the FSCS to reject an application for compensation, or withdraw an offer of compensation. The purpose of this chapter is to set out when those circumstances arise.

COMP 8.2

Rejection of application for compensation

COMP 8.2.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
If an application for compensation contains any material inaccuracy or omission, the FSCS may reject the application unless this is considered by the FSCS to be wholly unintentional.

COMP 8.2.2

See Notes

handbook-guidance
A rejection under COMP 8.2.1 R does not mean that the claimant cannot receive compensation. A rejected application may be resubmitted, with the appropriate amendments. An application rejected under COMP 8.2.3 R may be resubmitted if COMP 8.2.5 R applies.

COMP 8.2.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
The FSCS must reject an application for compensation if:
(1) the FSCS considers that a civil claim in respect of the liability would have been defeated by a defence of limitation at the earlier of:
(a) the date on which the relevant person is determined to be in default; and
(b) the date on which the claimant first indicates in writing that he may have a claim against the relevant person;
unless COMP 8.2.4 R applies; or
(2) the liability of the relevant person to the claimant has been extinguished by the operation of law, unless COMP 8.2.5 R applies.

COMP 8.2.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
For claims made in connection with protected investment business or protected mortgage business or protected non-investment insurance mediation, the FSCS may disregard a defence of limitation where the FSCS considers that it would be reasonable to do so.

COMP 8.2.5

See Notes

handbook-rule
For claims made in connection with protected investment business or protected non-investment insurance mediation, if a relevant person, incorporated as a company, has been dissolved with the result that its liability to the claimant has been extinguished by operation of law, the FSCS must treat the claim, for the purposes of paying compensation, as if the relevant person had not been dissolved.

COMP 8.2.6

See Notes

handbook-guidance
COMP 8.2.5 R means that the FSCS will be able to pay compensation in cases where:
(1) the company was declared in default on or after 1 December 2001; and
(2) at the time the application for compensation is made, the company has been dissolved.

COMP 8.2.7

See Notes

handbook-rule
The FSCS may reject an application for compensation if:
(1) it relates to an event or transaction which has been reviewed under the provisions of a 'deemed scheme' as defined in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Transitional Provisions) (Reviews of Pensions Business) Order 2001 (SI 2001/2512); and
(2) as a result of the review in (1) no redress was payable, or redress was paid, in accordance with the regulatory standards for the review of such events or transactions, and the terms of any scheme order, applicable as at the date of the review.

COMP 8.2.8

See Notes

handbook-guidance
The purpose of COMP 8.2.7 R is to allow the FSCS to reject claims relating to pensions review cases where a review was carried out in accordance with the relevant regulatory standards applicable at the time. 'Deemed schemes' are those review schemes set up before commencement (that is, 30 November 2001) but which are treated as schemes for review of past business under the Act, namely the pensions review and FSAVC review.

COMP 8.3

Withdrawal of offer of compensation

COMP 8.3.1

See Notes

handbook-rule
The FSCS may withdraw any offer of compensation made to a claimant if the offer is not accepted or if it is not disputed within 90 days of the date on which the offer is made.

COMP 8.3.2

See Notes

handbook-rule
Where the amount of compensation offered is disputed, the FSCS may withdraw the offer but must consider exercising its powers to make a reduced or interim payment under COMP 11.2.4 R or COMP 11.2.5 R before doing so.

COMP 8.3.3

See Notes

handbook-rule
The FSCS may repeat any offer withdrawn under COMP 8.3.1 R or COMP 8.3.2 R.

COMP 8.3.4

See Notes

handbook-rule
The FSCS must withdraw any offer of compensation if it appears to the FSCS that no such offer should have been made.

COMP 8.3.5

See Notes

handbook-rule
The FSCS must seek to recover any compensation paid to a claimant if it appears to the FSCS that no such payment should have been made, unless the FSCS believes on reasonable grounds that it would be unreasonable to do so, or that the costs of doing so would exceed any amount that could be recovered.