Law Society news
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New rule proposals aim to improve consumer protections on trusts
Proposals for new Law Society of Scotland rules will increase protections for people who have set up trusts with solicitors. The new rules will be considered by members at the Law Society’s annual general meeting in June.
AML guidance for legal sector updated
The Legal Sector Affinity Group (LSAG) has updated its HM Treasury-approved anti-money laundering (AML) compliance guidance for the legal sector.
AML round up: February 2025
Catch up on all the latest anti-money laundering (AML) updates, news and guidance from the Law Society's AML team.
Companies House ID verification checks changes
Firms that fall under anti-money laundering (AML) supervision and wish to provide identification verification checks to Companies House on behalf of their clients will soon be required to register as Authorised Corporate Service Providers (ACSPs).
Government amendments to Legal Services Regulation Bill preserve supremacy of the rule of law
Scottish Government proposals for extensive new levels of direct government control and involvement in how Scottish solicitors work are to be removed from the Legal Services Regulation Bill, preserving supremacy of the rule of law,
Changes to AML Certificate
The 2024 Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Certificate will introduce changes aimed at streamlining the process and reducing the administrative burden on legal practitioners.
Restricting Complaints Guidance in practice
Following the introduction of new Law Society of Scotland Guidance on restricting complaints, Convener of the Society's Professional Practice Committee, Austin Lafferty has commented on how this will apply to solicitors in practice.
AML annual supervisory report 2024
The Law Society of Scotland’s annual anti-money laundering (AML) supervisory report highlights the range of AML initiatives undertaken between April 2023 and April 2024.
Scottish firms’ AML-related work nears £700m
Almost £700 million of gross fees across Scottish legal firms in 2023 related to work falling under anti-money laundering (AML) regulations, analysis of the latest AML Certificate has shown.
Concerns raised over AML Certificate data accuracy
The anti-money laundering (AML) sub-committee has called on Scottish legal practices to improve the accuracy of their AML Certificate data or risk disciplinary action.
AML SARs thematic review: DAML spotlight
Our anti-money laundering (AML) team has highlighted defence against money laundering reports (DAMLs) as a key area of focus for firms, following the release of initial findings from its suspicious activity reports (SARs) thematic review.
AML SARs thematic review initial findings
Our anti-money laundering (AML) team has published the initial findings of its thematic review into suspicious activity reports (SARs), revealing positive procedures are in place across firms, but further support and guidance is needed on training and the threshold for suspicion.
AML inspection guide released
Our anti-money laundering (AML) team has released a guide to help members understand more about the AML inspections process and how to prepare for different types of inspection.
AML regulations need greater clarity for legal sector
Money Laundering Regulations need greater clarity for the legal sector and a re-focus on key ways to mitigate underlying risk in order to strengthen the UK’s anti-money laundering (AML) system, we have said in response to government proposals.
"All Too Familiar" AML training film released to members
All members now have free access to the anti-money laundering (AML) film “All Too Familiar”, a dramatised look at how firms can become unwittingly involved in money laundering.
AML thematic review of Suspicious Activity Reports
Our anti-money laundering (AML) team will launch its next thematic review this month, examining suspicious activity reports (SARs).
Court opinion emphasises need to comply on complaints
Court opinion published today, 30 April, emphasises need to comply on complaints
AML round up: April 2024
Our round up of all the latest important anti-money laundering news and developments to be aware of.
National Crime Agency to create law sector SARs forum
The National Crime Agency (NCA) is to create a legal sector suspicious activity reporting working group to help further engagement from legal professionals across the UK.
Judicial factors reform a step forward but refinement still needed
New legislation to reform judicial factors is a step in the right direction but could be further improved to ensure clarity, accessibility and efficiency, according to the Law Society of Scotland.
Survey confirms solicitors’ alarm at Scottish Government’s legal regulation plans
Our latest annual members survey has confirmed the depth of concern at the Scottish Government’s proposal to give itself powers to control the regulation of the legal sector.
Cross-party report shows government wrong to try to politically control legal profession
A new report from a cross-party committee of MSPs has shown how Scottish Government plans to try and control the way the legal profession operates were wrong and risked undermining the rule of law.
HM Treasury money laundering advisory notice: High-risk third countries
HM Treasury has released an advisory notice amending the definition of High-Risk Third Countries (HRTC).
AML Certificate 2022 results
Our anti-money laundering (AML) Risk Manager, Jenni Rodgers, provides an update on the key insights and analysis from the data that practices provided in the 2022 AML Certificate.