Fit & Proper

We have extensive experience with respect to all aspects relating to "fit and proper" matters.

In recent years, the members of the managements of financial undertakings have been subject to stricter requirements, including their personal liability. This is reflected in, for instance, stricter legislative rules and by the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority's quicker pursuance of specific matters, reassessment of the fit and proper status of members of management etc. 

At Plesner we have in-depth experience with respect to all aspects of these types of matters, and in several cases we have assisted both the member of management concerned and/or the relevant financial undertaking. We have been involved in the majority of the most notorious fit and proper matters in recent years, and we have assisted several clients during the long process involving the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority.

Normally, a typical process in connection with reassessment of fit and proper status will include the following:

  • factual identification of the specific sequence of events og strategic considerations with regard to the case
  • review of the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority's draft decision in the matter, including the Authority's assessment of the events and the role of the member of management
  • drawing up of a response to the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority's draft decision
  • review of the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority's consultation letter, which includes an assessment of the comments received
  • potential interview with the board of the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority if it is found relevant
  • assessment of the Danish Financial Supervisory Authority's decision and assistance with respect to press relations etc.

We also assist financial undertakings with fit and proper applications with respect to new members of management and with respect to the interpretation of fit and proper rules. We provide advice on the specific requirements for the members of management, and we have advised on, for instance, the new possibilities for obtaining conditional approvals of members of management.

Ratings
Plesner is listed in "Band 1" as regards Banking & Finance by Chambers Global and Chambers Europe.

"The team has thorough knowledge of the financing landscape, regulatory regime and legal matters. It has an extensive track record"

"Plesner is quite well staffed on all levels, and the lawyers work seamlessly across the different levels of seniority"

"Plesner has experts in many fields"

"What makes Plesner suited to our needs is their ability to understand the overall commercial matters and the ability to manage that into the documentation. The lawyers understand what drives value"

"The lawyers have a strong attention to detail and are always up front with potential issues, even the smallest details"
2026
Chambers Global
Within Banking and Finance, Plesner is a first tier firm.

"Strong team with strong leadership. Commercial mindset with the ability to always understand the clients' needs and present solutions based on that. Always able to meet deadlines and available to discuss issues"

"What sets Plesner's team apart is their strong combination of expertise and client-focused service"

"They are really good in negotiations and case management"
2026
Plesner is listed in "Tier 1" as regards Banking and Finance.

"Prompt in response and commercial in their advice"

"Plesner is amongst the best within banking and finance-area and delivers expertise on an ongoing basis. They are very hands-on and pragmatic to reduce issues list to most important"

"The Plesner team's availability is excellent and they understand client needs and also listen to the client. The expertise of the team meets all expectations and they have a super good mix of senior and junior people in the team"

"High quality documents, proactive. I consider Jakob Echwald Sevel as the best finance lawyer in Denmark"

"Very approachable, highly pragmatic on complex cases, working extensive hours when needed, provides specific and actionable advice etc"
2025
IFLR1000
Within Banking and Finance, Plesner is a first tier firm.

"Above all, competent and relevant advice. Attention and responsiveness to client needs. Proactively looking for the best solutions given particular client characteristics and needs. Benefiting from long-term relationship and knowledge of our company and stakeholders"

"With Plesner you can always rely on a close collaboration where you feel that the whole team works for you and try to accomplish the best possible result"
2025
The Legal 500
Plesner is listed in "Band 1" as regards Banking & Finance by Chambers Global and Chambers Europe.

"The lawyers are able to break down complex regulation into easy-to-understand principles"

"Plesner team has a very broad staff base and is very adaptable in its staffing, ensuring that tasks are always handled at the right level with seamless coordination internally"

"The team shows good flexibility and are easy to communicate with"

"The team has very deep knowledge"
2025
Chambers Global
Plesner is listed in "Tier 1" as regards Banking and Finance.

"Organised and structured, very fast, and our preferred law firm in Denmark" (2023)

"They have been very service-minded and easy to deal with. Very constructive in their approach" (2023)

"Solution-orientated, pragmatic, not overcomplicating, available" (2023)
2023 - 2024
IFLR1000
Within Banking and Finance, Plesner is a first tier firm.

"Always ready and eager to help. Highly commercial and focused on solutions across cap structure, docs, negotiation etc."

"The team is highly qualified and very proactive in assisting the client. The lawyers are both knowledgeable and commercial, which is vital in transactional work"

"The practice produces quality work with efficient project management. Truly a pleasure to work with them"

"Good competencies across various offerings (M&A, financing etc.) and different sectors"

"A unique insight in the financial industry makes it very easy to be client of Plesner. Legal advice is always in the relevant context and in accordance with new legal requirements and practice"
2024
The Legal 500
Plesner is listed in "Band 1" as regards Banking & Finance.

"The team shows a great understanding of complex debt financing situations"

"Plesner are very knowledgeable in the area of financial services law"

"The lawyers always provide quick responses and good advice, and they have good a commercial understanding"

"The law firm applies high-level legal competencies while keeping a pragmatic and client-based focus at the same time"

"Plesner has one of the biggest and strongest teams in town"
2024
Chambers Global