New guidance which was triggered by the European Union’s fifth money laundering directive, which came into force in January last year and brought in a raft of new requirements including changes to client due diligence and enhanced due diligence as well as a duty to collect proof of registration for companies and trusts.
Folllowing the directive revised guidance has been developed by the 12 LSAG members including the Law Societies of England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland, SRA, Bar Council, CILEX and the Bar Standards Board, which represent the UK’s legal sector’s supervisors and regulators.
The guidance is designed to help the legal profession navigate complex AML risks and challenges. It will guide you through what is a ‘must’, a ‘should’ and a ‘may’ to help ensure practices are able to understand and address AML risk to meet regulatory requirements, SRA expectations and identify good practice.
There is a revised Legal Professional Privilege (LPP) section, an updated training section, a fully revised and expanded risk assessment section and the introduction of key AML compliance principles.
There is also additional advice on understanding and evidencing source of funds and wealth, a new technology section, which examines considerations to apply when using or exploring AML-related technology to effectively mitigate risk and revised, updated and expanded AML governance and internal controls sections.
To support the profession further, the Law Society will be hosting a series of webinars on the updated guidance.
These will break up the key sections and changes and talk through the most relevant parts of the updated guidance.
Access the Law Society Guidance Page here : https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/anti-money-laundering/anti-money-laundering-guidance