New AML approval process for law firm partners due to start in 2018

Regulation 26 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 requires owners and certain other individuals within those practice units who do work subject to the Regulations to be approved as such by the Law Society. Individuals will be required to submit their applications by 26 June 2018. 

Ian Messer, Director of Financial Compliance at the Law Society of Scotland, said: “Once the new regulations are in place we will not be able to issue an approval where an individual has been convicted of certain offences, as defined at schedule 3 of the regulations. Where no application is made or the application is not approved the individual will not be able to continue to be an owner or as postholder (in the case of non-owners who go through the process).

“We are currently liaising with other AML supervisors, HM Treasury and the Office of Professional Body AML Supervision (OPBAS) to determine the nature of the process which individuals will be required to undertake before submitting their application to us for approval.  Issues under discussion include the extent to which we can rely on existing processes and whether individuals will be required to complete disclosure checks as part of the application process.

“We will confirm the requirements as soon as possible in the New Year, including details of the solicitor population to whom this will apply.”