Official LEI Registration UK

A Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a 20 digit code that is unique to a legal entity and provides basic information about the entity such as name, address and entity type e.g Limited Company.

Since the introduction of MiFID 2 in 2018, the use of an LEI has been mandated by over 116+ global regulations requiring its use for reporting of Financial Transactions. The LEI is a requirement in the UK under several regulations from regulators such as the FCA (Financial Conduct Authority).

 Since then, the UK has become the worlds second largest market for LEIs. There are currently over 175,000 LEI registered in the United Kingdom. You can search for a companies LEI code by using our LEI Search Tool here. 

This accounts for nearly 10% of all LEIs globally. The vast majority of these LEIs exist because the UK does a lot of trading with Europe and up until recently was subject to EU mandates requesting the LEI. 

There are strict regulations throughout Europe which require market participants to quote their LEI registry when reporting transactions. The aim of these regulations is to bring about more transparency in the financial markets. Regulations such as Mifid II and EMIR were brought about in January 2018 and so far have been successful in that there have been very high compliance rates and the LEI is bringing about greater security in financial markets. 

As London, and the UK in general is a global financial hub there are hundreds of thousands of UK legal entities that still need to get an LEI number in the United Kingdom. 

If you are a Limited Company or Sole Trader in Britain, LEI registration UK may be necessary. If you are engaged in cross border activity it is a good idea to have an LEI before you need one as it is quickly being adopted as a global standard. 

If you are participating in financial services in the UK you will be required to legally get your LEI register in order to be compliant with local regulations such as Mifid II, EMIR or to fulfill your local reporting obligations.

Examples of companies that have mandatory LEI register UK requirements, are financial intermediaries, funds, trusts, banking institutions and financial institutions, any legal entity that is listed on a stock exchange or that issues debt, securities or equity.