The U.K Financial Services Authority is to appeal a court ruling that blocked its efforts to obtain confidential evidence for the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In August, a court ruled that the FSA had overstepped the mark when—acting on a request from the SEC—it tried to force a London accounting firm to hand over confidential information about two of its clients.

The SEC wanted the information as part of an investigation into suspected market manipulation on the New York Stock Exchange.

The FSA agreed to help and started the process of compelling the accounting firm to provide the information that the SEC wanted. However, the two clients involved—Amro International SA and Creon Management SA—fought back. They issued court proceedings, claiming that the FSA was misusing its powers and should back off.

The court upheld their complaint because the SEC had not alleged any wrongdoing by the two clients and the document request was too broad. It also criticized the FSA for not doing enough to check whether it was necessary or proportionate to request such a wide range of documents.

Law firm Allen & Overy said the court’s judgment was “surprisingly blunt in tone” and added: “It would appear that the Court was concerned that the international co-operation framework was being abused by the SEC.”

The FSA confirmed this week that it will appeal the case, but a spokesperson would not comment any further.

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