FT Professional Glossary
Red tape
      Official rules that seem more complicated than necessary and prevent things from being 
 done quickly
   
    
Example usage from an FT article:
Investors have long urged India to reduce red tape, relax labour laws and simplify taxation and compliance, arguing that reform, particularly of taxation, could stimulate investment and create jobs.
Excerpt from "Businesses bemoan Indian ‘tax terrorism’ and red tape"
 
               
               
               
              