This online course is suitable for those who are familiar with the accounts rules, such as COFA’s and legal cashiers, but wish to expand their technical knowledge on the day to day application of them. This course will reflect on the 2019 rule changes and where firms might have gone wrong in implementing these. It will also consider what ‘good’ systems, policies and procedures look like as well as providing you with tools to evaluate if your interest policy is ‘fair and reasonable’ and practical scenario’s to identify banking facilities. Target Audience This online course is suitable for COFAs, those supporting the COFA, legal cashiers and for those that wish to expand their technical knowledge on the day to day application of the SRA accounts rules. Resources An information pack including the course slides will be provided to all delegates, which may be useful for ongoing reference. Please note a recording of the course will not be made available. Speaker Sarah Charlton, Consultant, DG Legal Sarah has a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting and is a Fellow member of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants. Her career spans over 35 years working within the legal sector, fulfilling roles from COFA through to CEO. During her career she has worked with a number of legal regulators, professional bodies and government organisations. Sarah has been a member of the Institute of Legal Finance and Management throughout her career, qualifying as a Fellow member in 2005. Sarah also served as chairperson between 2010-2012 and continues to serve as an Executive Council Member.
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 £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 – what to consider? PCPs – 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 will not 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. Helen’s 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).
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 £570,000 plus costs. The absence of staff training, or requirement to complete additional training, was noted in a number of these cases. As a manager of a law firm, or more crucially an MLRO or MLCO, the ultimate responsibility for the firm's compliance, including with the MLR 2017, lies with you. It is your responsibility to ensure that the firm puts in place, reviews and updates compliant policies, controls and procedures. You must ensure that the firm maintains an up to date practice wide risk assessment. You are required to ensure that your employees are regularly given training on the MLR 2017 and associated risks. If a breach occurs, the SRA will take a wider look at the firm and identify any supervisory deficiencies that may have contributed to failures by fee earners or support staff. It has proven that it will not shy away from holding to account managers, compliance officers and MLRO/MLCOs for failures by their firms to comply with requirements of the MLR 2017. This course will cover the following to assist firms MLROs, MLCOs and Management with fulfilling their AML management responsibilities: How to comply with your obligations and stay compliant FWRA – linked with PCPs Mandatory AML Policies and Procedures - SRA have concerns Training and supervising staff Audits SRA requirements Reporting SARS POCA/TA Fulfilling reporting officer and compliance officer duties Target Audience The online course is suitable for MLROs, MLCOs, firm management and those supporting these roles. 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 will not 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. Helen’s 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).
This session will combine knowledge as well as practical interactive scenarios to work through to assist delegates in evaluating themselves to identify areas they might need to improve on. The course will cover: The purpose of the role (reminder) How the role has evolved What lessons can be gained so far How do you create a culture of compliance What good systems, policies and procedures look like Easy tips on what, where and how you should be looking Target Audience This online course is suitable for those new to the COFA role, those supporting the COFA and for those that would like a refresher of the role and their responsibilities. Resources An information pack including the course slides, scenarios and suggested answers will be provided to all delegates, which may be useful for ongoing reference. Please note a recording of the course will not be made available. Speaker Sarah Charlton, Consultant, DG Legal Sarah has a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting and is a Fellow member of the Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants. Her career spans over 35 years working within the legal sector, fulfilling roles from COFA through to CEO. During her career she has worked with a number of legal regulators, professional bodies and government organisations. Sarah has been a member of the Institute of Legal Finance and Management throughout her career, qualifying as a Fellow member in 2005. Sarah also served as chairperson between 2010-2012 and continues to serve as an Executive Council Member.
Are you doing sanction checks in your law firm? In the intricate landscape of legal practice, understanding and adhering to the UK's sanctions regime is not just a recommendation; it is mandatory and it is imperative. This course aims to set clear expectations and offer practical support to firms, guiding them away from the pitfalls of breaching the UK's sanctions regime. Who is this for? This 90 minute course is for all legal firms, irrespective of the services you provide. Whether you are navigating the sanctions regime independently or operating under a license from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI), this course is for you. The course will cover: What are sanctions What do you need to know about the sanctions for your firm How is it different to the AML regime? What controls to put in place? If the firm offers services to sanction areas – what controls? My client has been sanctioned – what do I do? Reporting obligations Using screening tools Licensing How does this impact Legal Professional Privilege? Sanction Risk Assessment Red flags factors Enforcement actions 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 will not 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. Helen’s 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).