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General information only — not legal advice. Published by Edward & Amaury Solicitors, solicitors regulated by the SRA (no. 800525). How that affects what you read.

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FSCS Protection for Mis-selling Claims

England & WalesLast reviewed 18 September 2026

If the firm that mis-sold you a product has failed and cannot pay, the Financial Services Compensation Scheme may pay compensation. For investments the limit is £85,000 per person per firm where the firm failed after 1 April 2019, and the deposit limit rose to £120,000 on 1 December 2025.

When the FSCS Applies

Direct Answer: The FSCS can step in when an authorised firm is declared in default and cannot pay valid claims, including some claims for bad advice or mis-selling.

It is a last resort, used where the firm cannot pay, and it does not cover every complaint. Not every product or firm is covered, and the claim must be one the scheme's rules recognise, so check eligibility with the FSCS.

The Limits

For investments, the FSCS protects up to £85,000 per eligible person per firm where the firm failed after 1 April 2019, with lower limits for earlier failures. For deposits, the limit increased from £85,000 to £120,000 on 1 December 2025. If your loss is larger than the limit, you may only recover part of it through the scheme.

Making a Claim

The FSCS is free to use and you do not need a solicitor or claims company. Gather your paperwork, such as advice letters, statements and correspondence with the firm, and contact the FSCS to check whether your claim is eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the FSCS?

The Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the UK's compensation scheme of last resort for customers of authorised financial firms that fail.

How much does the FSCS pay for investments?

Up to £85,000 per eligible person per firm for firms that failed after 1 April 2019. Earlier failures have lower limits.

What is the deposit limit?

£120,000 per eligible person per institution from 1 December 2025, up from £85,000.

Do I need a claims company to claim from the FSCS?

No. The FSCS is free, and you can claim directly.

What if my loss is bigger than the limit?

The FSCS pays up to its limit. You may have other routes, such as the Ombudsman if the firm still exists or a court claim, so take advice.

You May Also Be Interested In

Financial Mis-selling

Mis-selling claims overview

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Financial Ombudsman Time Limits

Complaint deadlines

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Professional Negligence

Claims against professionals

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Fee Disputes and Complaints

Complaining about a solicitor's fees

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What Is No Win No Fee?

How CFAs work in England and Wales

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Where this applies: This page covers England and Wales. The rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland are different.

Sources for this page

Every rule stated above is based on the primary sources below. Each link goes to the legislation, court rule or regulator itself so you can check it. Last verified 18 September 2026.

  1. FSCS — What we cover and protection limits

    Investments are protected up to £85,000 per person per firm for firms failing after 1 April 2019; the deposit limit rose to £120,000 on 1 December 2025.

  2. Financial Ombudsman Service — Time limits

    The Ombudsman generally cannot consider a complaint referred more than six months after the firm's final response, or more than six years after the event unless within three years of when the consumer knew or should have known they had cause to complain; exceptional circumstances can extend the deadlines.

Who wrote and checked this page

Written and published by
Edward & Amaury Solicitors (Edward & Amaury Ltd, company no. 12195443), regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 800525.
Legal review
This page has not yet been through independent legal review. It is written from the primary sources listed below, which you can check directly.
Review dates
Last reviewed 18 September 2026. Next review due 18 March 2027.

Fee rules change. California’s medical malpractice fee limits changed on 1 January 2023, and the QOCS rules in England and Wales changed on 6 April 2023. If you spot something out of date, tell us — we publish corrections.

Think you have a claim? Find out for free.

Reading the rules is the first step. Most claims have strict deadlines, and evidence is easier to gather the sooner you act. Tell Edward & Amaury Solicitors what happened and get a free, no-obligation review of your situation.

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Where this applies: This page covers England and Wales. The rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland are different.

Sources for this page

Every rule stated above is based on the primary sources below. Each link goes to the legislation, court rule or regulator itself so you can check it. Last verified 2 August 2026.

  1. Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, s.58 (conditional fee agreements)

    The provision that makes CFAs lawful and enforceable. CFAs derive from this section, not from LASPO.

  2. Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, arts. 4–5 · in force from 1 April 2013

    Art. 4 caps the success fee at 100% of base costs. Art. 5 caps what may be taken from damages in personal injury at 25% of PSLA plus past pecuniary loss, net of CRU, at first instance.

  3. Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, ss.44–46 · in force from 1 April 2013

    Ended recoverability of success fees and ATE premiums from the losing party. Did not create or regulate CFAs.

  4. Civil Procedure Rules, Part 44 (incl. rr.44.13–44.17, QOCS)

    Qualified one-way costs shifting and its exceptions. Rule 44.14 was amended with effect from 6 April 2023.

Who wrote and checked this page

Written and published by
Edward & Amaury Solicitors (Edward & Amaury Ltd, company no. 12195443), regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 800525.
Legal review
This page has not yet been through independent legal review. It is written from the primary sources listed below, which you can check directly.
Review dates
Last reviewed 2 August 2026. Next review due 2 February 2027.

Fee rules change. California’s medical malpractice fee limits changed on 1 January 2023, and the QOCS rules in England and Wales changed on 6 April 2023. If you spot something out of date, tell us — we publish corrections.