In January 2024 alone, reports were published about the SRA taking enforcement action against 3 firms and 4 individuals for failure to comply with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. The fines issued for these non-compliances total over Ā£570,000 plus costs. The absence of staff training, or requirement to complete additional training, was noted in a number of these cases.
Many of the breaches resulting in enforcement action involved failures by the fee earners to conduct appropriate due diligence, adequately check the source of funds and/or wealth or recognise and report red flags. As highlighted by enforcement action being taken against individuals as well as firms, fee earners cannot hide behind their firm when AML failures occur and may be held personally accountable by the SRA for non-compliances with the MLR 2017.
This course will cover the following to assist fee earners in the application of AML in their casework.
How to comply with your obligations and stay compliant
Written CRA & MRA
Client
Booms
Risks ā what to consider?
PCPs ā CDD &EDD
POCA / TA
SOF and SOW
On going monitoring
Reporting to MLRO/MLCO
Tipping off
Target Audience
The online course is suitable for fee earners or legal practitioners that want to improve their AML knowledge.
Resources
Comprehensive and up to date course notes will be provided to all delegates which may be useful for ongoing reference or cascade training.
Please note a recording of the course willĀ notĀ be made available.
Speaker
Helen Torresi, Consultant, DG Legal
Helen is a qualified solicitor with a diverse professional background spanning leadership roles in both the legal and tech/corporate sectors. Throughout her career, she has held key positions such as COLP, HOLP, MLCO, MLRO and DPO for law firms and various regulated businesses and services.
Helenās specialised areas encompass AML, complaint and firm negligence handling, DPA compliance, file review and auditing, law management, and operational effectiveness in law firms, particularly in conveyancing (CQS).