The LAA operates a strict compliance regime when it comes to auditing family controlled work matters, and mistakes can often result in a Contract Notice, corrective action, and further follow-up activity within 6 months. This course will discuss the various aspects of family controlled work billing, with discussions on topics such as how to bill private law, public law, and help with mediation matters; how to evidence whether substantive negotiations and a settlement have taken place in private law matters; how do the LAA audit travel and other disbursement claims; what evidence must be present on files to avoid any issues on audit – including scope, gateway evidence, and forms/evidence of means (rules on evidence of means will be included in brief, however, a separate, more in-depth Civil Means Assessment Guidance Course is available); and the rules on claiming separate matters and escape fees. Key aspects of the Civil Contract and associated LAA Guidance (including the Codes Guidance) will be included, along with a discussion of common errors that are made. Target Audience This online course is aimed at anyone involved in billing Family Controlled Work matters or managing an LAA Family Contract. Resources 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 Steve Keeling, Consultant, DG Legal Steve joined DG Legal after leaving the Legal Aid Agency in August 2016. In his 17 years at the LAA, he worked in the audit team as both auditor and manager and was a Contract Manager for several years. Steve is also a certified SQM auditor and undertakes audits on behalf of Recognising Excellence as well as running training sessions for the SQM Audit Team periodically.
This course satisfies the supervision requirements in the LAA Standard Contract & covers the key skills needed to ensure compliance with the LAA Contract.
This half day online course will assist candidates in preparing for the forthcoming initial Casework Assistant exam.
This one day online course will assist candidates in preparing for the forthcoming initial Senior Caseworker exam.
The professional working world has changed more rapidly than could have been envisaged at the time of the introduction of GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. With more people working from home post-Covid and the ever increasing risk of cyber-attacks, this short course is aimed at taking stock of current practice and risk, as well as considering ICO enforcement action and the implications of hybrid working. It is also a great recap on the rules as they stand and what you need to know to comply. The course will cover: UK GDPR - A timely reminder of the rules ICO enforcement action and what we can learn Data Protection Impact Assessments - when and how to do them Hybrid working and UK GDPR Managing cyber attacks from a UK GDPR perspective Target Audience The online course is suitable for staff of all levels, from support staff to senior partners. Resources 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 Matthew Howgate, Consultant, DG Legal Matt is a non-practising solicitor who has considerable experience in regulatory issues and advising on complex issues of compliance and ethics. He is also an expert in data protection, UK GDPR and on the civil legal aid scheme. Matthew is a lead trainer on and co-developed the LAPG Certificate in Practice Management (a training programme for legal managers and law firm owners) as well as regularly providing training on legal aid Supervision, costs maximisation, data protection and security and on general SRA compliance.
The COLP role goes beyond just ensuring your firm follows the rules in the SRA Standards and Regulations, it also comes with a personal accountability factor that demands your attention. Fear not! This 3 hour course will usher you through the intricacies of being a COLP, ensuring you not only meet but excel in your regulatory obligations. The course will cover: Navigating the Regulatory Landscape: Understanding the Framework for COLPs Dive into the intricate regulatory framework that Compliance Officers for Legal Practice (COLPs) operate under. Shouldering the Responsibility: Unpacking the Duties of a COLP Explore the multifaceted responsibilities that come with the role of a COLP. Choosing the Right Leader: Identifying the Ideal COLP Candidate Learn the criteria for selecting the most suitable individual to take on the crucial role of COLP. Cracking the Codes: Key Elements of Codes and SRA Principles Delve into the essential components of the Codes and SRA Principles that form the backbone of legal compliance. Building a Robust Foundation: Understanding Compliance Systems for All Firms Explore the concept of compliance systems, what they entail, and why every firm should have one in place. Reporting Matters: Recognising 'Serious' Issues, SRA Enforcement Strategy, and Reporting Protocols Uncover the definition of 'serious' matters, grasp the SRA Enforcement Strategy, and gain practical insights on making effective reports to the SRA. Paper Trails Matter: Effective Record Keeping, Including Non-material Breaches Master the art of comprehensive record-keeping, including strategies for recording non-material breaches, and understand why it's integral to compliance. Personal Liability: Understanding and Mitigating Risks Navigate the landscape of personal liability for COLPs and develop strategies to mitigate associated risks. Staying Ahead: Keeping Abreast of Regulatory Changes and Guidance Develop effective strategies for staying up to date with dynamic regulatory changes and evolving guidance. Planning for Compliance: Crafting a Robust Strategy, Assessing Risk, and File Reviewing Formulate a comprehensive plan for tackling compliance, including risk assessment, maintaining risk registers, and implementing effective file reviewing. Across the Board: Legal and Regulatory Compliance Areas Every COLP Must Master Gain a high-level overview of crucial legal and regulatory compliance areas, including AML, transparency rules, and other pivotal aspects that demand the attention of all COLPs. Target Audience This online course is suitable for those new to the COLP role, or those supporting the COLP and for those that would like a refresher of the role and their responsibilities. 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).
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. This 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 Target Audience This course is for all legal firms, irrespective of the services provided. 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. 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 an ever-evolving legal landscape, being a firm outside of the mandatory AML scope doesn't mean being out of the compliance conversation. This course is your guide to proactively managing risks, staying compliant and ensuring your firm's resilience. Don't miss this opportunity to navigate the unique challenges faced by out-of-scope AML law firms. The course will cover: AML regulations Why are some firms (or departments) in or out of scope? MLROs AML basics CDD (ID elements) Responsibility of doing CDD Source of Funds / Source of Wealth Ongoing monitoring Reporting to the MLRO Target Audience The online course is suitable for staff of all levels, from support staff to senior partners of firms outside of the regulated sector. 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).
Despite being a requirement under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017), in 2023/24 the SRA found that 19% of files reviewed did not contain a client and matter risk assessment (CMRA), with a further 12% of files containing ineffective CMRAs. At best, the firms conducting these files were putting themselves at risk of regulatory action for failure to comply with the MLR 2017. More seriously, firms may have been facilitating money laundering through their failure to adequately assess and address the risks posed by clients and matters. The SRA has issued a number of significant fines to firms with no, or insufficient, CMRAs in place. In the year August 2024 to July 2025, firms were fined over £950,000 where ineffective or missing CMRAs were noted. Although a firm’s MLRO, MLCO or its managers bear ultimate responsibility for ensuring its compliance with the MLR 2017, it is the responsibility of all those working on behalf of the firm to conduct and document the appropriate processes and checks on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, it is imperative that all staff understand not only how to complete a CMRA, but also the importance of doing so thoroughly and correctly. This course will assist fee earners and support staff in confidently and competently completing client and matter risk assessments, understanding the types of risks to be identified and the importance of correctly identifying these. Where the SRA has found failings at firms in respect of CMRAs, it has almost unanimously also found shortcomings in other areas of AML compliance. Where concerns are raised regarding a firm’s compliance with any aspect of the MLR 2017, the SRA will probe further and look into all areas of AML compliance. For information about DG Legal’s full range of AML training courses, please visit https://dglegal.co.uk/training/upcoming-premier-training-courses/. Target Audience This online course is suitable for staff of all levels, from support staff to senior partners. 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 Paul Wightman, Consultant, DG Legal A qualified barrister, Paul graduated in Law from Birmingham University and was called to the Bar in 1994. He subsequently spent almost 20 years working for the Law Society of England and Wales, initially within the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors, then the Legal Complaints Service (LCS), and ultimately the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Paul is adept at undertaking audits and providing succinct reports on areas for improvement and can assist firms with advice on all aspects of SRA compliance and Anti-Money Laundering procedures.
Source of funds and source of wealth are two important verification steps a firm can take to identify potential money laundering activities or other financial crime. The Money Laundering Regulations 2017 (MLR 2017) require firms, where necessary, to scrutinise the source of funds of a transaction to ensure they are consistent with their knowledge of the customer, their business and risk profile. In addition, where a matter is considered to be higher risk and therefore subject to enhanced due diligence, firms must also investigate the client’s overall source of wealth. Law firm staff must be able to differentiate between source of funds and source of wealth, having knowledge of how to verify each and identify any anomalies that do not align with their understanding of the client or the matter. Staff must have the knowledge and confidence to challenge clients and seek further clarification where the source may be unclear or highlight concerns. A number of firms who failed to sufficiently identify the source of funds and/or source of wealth have recently been fined by the SRA. In the year August 2024 to July 2025, fines in excess of £475,000 were recorded for AML breaches that included source of funds and source of wealth failings. This course will assist fee earners and support staff in understanding the difference between source of funds and source of wealth, enabling them to capably identify and verify funds in a matter. Where the SRA has found failings at firms in respect of source of funds or source of wealth, it has almost unanimously also found shortcomings in other areas of AML compliance. Where concerns are raised regarding a firm’s compliance with any aspect of the MLR 2017, the SRA will probe further and look into all areas of AML compliance. For information about DG Legal’s full range of AML training courses, please visit: https://dglegal.co.uk/training/upcoming-premier-training-courses/. Target Audience This online course is suitable for staff of all levels, from support staff to senior partners. 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 Paul Wightman, Consultant, DG Legal A qualified barrister, Paul graduated in Law from Birmingham University and was called to the Bar in 1994. He subsequently spent almost 20 years working for the Law Society of England and Wales, initially within the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors, then the Legal Complaints Service (LCS), and ultimately the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Paul is adept at undertaking audits and providing succinct reports on areas for improvement and can assist firms with advice on all aspects of SRA compliance and Anti-Money Laundering procedures.