As a law firm, it is essential to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations and identity checks. The Law Society’s Lexcel accreditation scheme is designed to ensure that law firms maintain high standards of management and client care. One of the key requirements of Lexcel accreditation is AML compliance, which includes identity checks for clients. In this guide, we will explain what Lexcel is, why it is important, and how Verify 365 can help law firms meet these requirements.
What is Lexcel?
Lexcel is a quality management standard specifically designed for law firms in the UK and Wales. It is awarded by the Law Society to law firms that meet certain standards of management and client care. The Lexcel standard covers a wide range of areas, including client care, risk management, financial management, and AML compliance.
Why is Lexcel important?
Lexcel is important because it provides a framework for law firms to ensure that they meet certain standards of management and client care. It is a way for law firms to demonstrate their commitment to providing high-quality legal services to their clients. Additionally, many clients and potential clients look for Lexcel accreditation as a way to assess the quality of a law firm’s services.
AML Compliance and Identity Checks
One of the key requirements of Lexcel accreditation is AML compliance, which includes identity checks for clients. Law firms must have robust procedures in place to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. They must also verify the identity of their clients to ensure that they are who they claim to be. This includes checking identification documents, such as passports or driver’s licenses, and conducting electronic checks to confirm the authenticity of these documents.
Lexcel Section 4.5 – AML compliance
The section of Lexcel that deals with AML compliance and identity checks is Section 4.5. This section focuses on the requirements for firms to comply with anti-money laundering legislation and regulations, and to conduct identity checks on clients.
Section 4.5 of Lexcel outlines the following requirements:
1. The firm must have a written AML policy that outlines how it will comply with the relevant legislation and regulations.
2. The firm must ensure that all relevant staff are trained in AML compliance and understand the risks associated with money laundering.
3. The firm must have procedures in place to verify the identity of clients, including obtaining and retaining copies of appropriate identification documents.
4. The firm must carry out ongoing monitoring of client transactions and relationships to identify any potential money laundering risks.
5. The firm must report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities.
Overall, Lexcel requires firms to take a risk-based approach to AML compliance and identity checks, and to ensure that they have appropriate policies, procedures, and training in place to mitigate the risk of money laundering.
How Verify 365 can help with Lexcel compliance
Verify 365 is a digital onboarding technology platform that can help law firms with Lexcel compliance, specifically with AML compliance and identity checks. The platform automates the identity verification process, making it fast and efficient for law firms to verify the identity of their clients.
Some of the features of Verify 365 that can assist law firms with Lexcel compliance include:
1. Automated AML compliance: Verify 365 has built-in AML checks that ensure law firms comply with regulations and identify high-risk clients.
2. Electronic identity checks: Verify 365 uses advanced algorithms to verify the authenticity of identification documents, reducing the risk of fraud.
3. Biometric verification: Verify 365 uses facial recognition technology to match a client’s face with the photograph on their identification document, further reducing the risk of fraud.
4. Secure storage: Verify 365 securely stores all client information, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
5. Customisable workflows: Verify 365 allows law firms to customise their workflows, ensuring that they meet their specific AML compliance requirements.
In short, Verify 365’s digital client onboarding technology platform can assist law firms with Lexcel compliance by providing a comprehensive solution for identity verification and AML compliance.
In summary, the platform includes the following features:
1. Identity verification: Verify 365 uses advanced technology to verify the identity of clients, including facial recognition and document scanning.
2. AML compliance: Verify 365 includes built-in AML compliance checks, including sanctions screening and politically exposed person (PEP) checks.
3. Document management: The platform provides a secure document management system for storing and managing identification documents.
4. Audit trail: Verify 365 provides a comprehensive audit trail of all client onboarding activities, including identity verification and AML compliance checks.
5. Customisable workflows: The platform allows firms to customise their client onboarding workflows to meet their specific requirements and risk profiles.
How can Verify 365 digital onboarding technology platform help law firms meet Lexcel requirements?
In conclusion, Lexcel accreditation is essential for law firms to demonstrate their commitment to providing high-quality legal services and complying with AML regulations.
Verify 365 is a digital onboarding technology platform that can help law firms meet these requirements by automating the identity verification process and ensuring compliance with AML regulations. By using Verify 365, law firms can streamline their processes and provide a better client experience, while also meeting the high standards required for Lexcel accreditation.
