(1) This article applies where—
(a) a person who is a provider within the meaning of article 72B of the Regulated Activities Order (“the applicant”) has submitted to the Authority an application for Part IV permission or a variation of a Part IV permission to the extent that the application—
(i) relates to an activity of the kind specified in any of the following articles of the Regulated Activities Order—
(aa) article 21 (dealing in investments as agent);
(bb) article 25(1) and (2) (arranging deals in investments);
(cc) article 39A (assisting in the administration and performance of a contract of insurance);
(dd) article 53 (advising on investments); or
(ee) article 64 (agreeing to carry on specified kinds of activity) in so far as it relates to any of the activities mentioned in (aa) to (dd); and
(ii) is made pursuant to the amendments made to article 72B of the Regulated Activities Order by article 2 of this Order;
(b) the Authority received the application on or before 15th November 2008; and
(c) the application has not been finally decided before commencement.
(2) The applicant is to be treated as having on commencement the permission to which the application relates.
(3) A permission which an applicant is to be treated as having is referred to in this Part as an “interim permission”.
(4) Without prejudice to the exercise by the Authority of its powers under Part 4 of the Act, an interim permission lapses—
(a) when the application has been finally decided; or
(b) at the end of 31st December 2009,
whichever is the earlier.
(5) In this article “finally decided” means—
(a) when the application is withdrawn;
(b) when the Authority grants permission under section 42 of the Act (giving permission) to carry on the activity in question;
(c) when the Authority varies a permission under section 44 of the Act (variation etc. at request of authorised person) to add the activity in question;
(d) where the Authority has refused an application and the matter is not referred to the Tribunal, when the time for referring the matter to the Tribunal has expired;
(e) where the Authority has refused an application and the matter is referred to the Tribunal, when—
(i) if the reference is determined by the Tribunal (including a determination following remission back to the Tribunal for rehearing in accordance with section 137(3)(a) of the Act (appeal on a point of law)), the time for bringing an appeal has expired; or
(ii) on an appeal from a determination by the Tribunal on a point of law, the Court itself determines the application in accordance with section 137 of the Act.
(6) An applicant who is treated as having an interim permission may not withdraw the application without first obtaining the consent of the Authority.
(7) Where—
(a) the Authority exercises its powers under section 45 (variation etc. on the Authority’s own initiative) in relation to an authorised person who holds an interim permission; and
(b) as a result of the variation there are no longer any regulated activities for which the authorised person has permission,
the Authority must, once it is satisfied that it is no longer necessary to keep the interim permission in force, cancel it.