Expertise
Deep knowledge in a narrow field. We don’t take on work we aren’t fully confident in.
About us
Regulatory support for the financial sector
We run the regulatory procedures of financial institutions – and of those just entering the market.
01 · The firm
A narrow specialisation, not a full-service practice
HARLIB is a law boutique that works on one thing: financial-sector regulatory law. We do not litigate criminal matters, collect debt or register trademarks. The whole of the firm's experience sits in a single plane – the regulatory procedures of financial institutions.
What sets the firm apart is the team. HARLIB's founders and lawyers have worked inside financial-sector regulators and know these procedures from within.
02 · Expertise
From licensing to full compliance
Eight services across three clusters, in the following jurisdictions: Ukraine, the EU, the UK and Asia.
Licensing & capital
Obtaining licences
Full-cycle support — from choosing the jurisdiction to filing the application with the regulator. Banks, insurers, finance companies, EMIs, PSPs, CASPs, UK FCA licences.
Qualifying holding approval
Regulatory approvals for acquiring a holding in a financial institution. Review of shareholders, sources of funds and ownership structure.
Capitalisation approval
Obtaining regulatory approvals to increase a financial institution’s share capital and to raise a subordinated loan.
Corporate governance
Corporate governance
Review of the corporate governance system and improvement of its effectiveness.
Training for senior managers
Training for members of supervisory boards, management boards and other key persons on the regulatory aspects of a financial institution’s activities.
Recruitment of CCO/CAO/CRO & outstaffing
Building a compliance team that understands the regulator’s fit-and-proper requirements.
Compliance & advisory
Product compliance
Assessing a financial product for compliance with regulatory requirements.
Ongoing regulatory support
Quick consultations, legal opinions and retainer-based support across a broad range of regulatory matters.
03 · Clients
Who we work with
Investors entering the sector
A large part of the work begins before an institution exists. We advise investors, founders and financial groups entering the sector: acquiring a qualifying holding in a licensed institution, building an institution from scratch, entering a new market in the EU, the United Kingdom or Asia.
If your matter is not on this list, write to us anyway. We will tell you plainly whether it is ours to take.
Our principles
01 02 Confidentiality
We ensure confidentiality in our services, communications and correspondence.
03 Clarity
No “50 pages about everything”. A clear conclusion: yes / no / subject to conditions.
04 Partnership
Most projects come from repeat clients or referrals.
Key contact
Haryk Matosian
A lawyer with experience in the public sector, including at the financial market regulator, and at leading Ukrainian law firms.
Tell us about your matter
Describe the situation in a few lines. We reply within one business day and tell you whether it is ours to take, what documents will be needed and how we can structure the work.