The FCA has filed for a High Court injunction to halt fund manager Neil Woodford’s newly launched online service. Regulators allege the platform offers investment advice without proper authorisation, breaching UK rules that restrict unlicensed advice. The move follows earlier warnings about Woodford's promotional practices.

Woodford’s venture, marketed as a subscription‑based advisory tool, promises personalised portfolio recommendations to retail clients. The FCA argues that such guidance must be delivered by firms holding a regulated advice licence, a requirement Woodford’s outfit does not meet. The £199 annual fee has drawn many users. If the court grants the injunction, the platform will be forced offline, denying investors access and potentially prompting refunds.

Investors watching Woodford’s comeback now face uncertainty as the regulator moves swiftly to enforce licensing standards. The case underscores the FCA’s broader crackdown on fintech‑driven advice services that sidestep traditional compliance. Stakeholders will monitor the ruling for signals on how digital advisers must structure compliance frameworks going forward.