U3 - Money laundering Flashcards
Who do the money laundering regulations apply to?
Persons acting in the course of businesses carried out in the UK incl. independent legal professionals
What is the SRAs role?
supervisory and firms must apply to the SRA for approval under the Regulations
What criminal sanctions are associated with the Money Laundering Regulations?
Practitioners must apply to SRA for approval under the regulations and acting without approval is a criminal offence (imprisonment, fine or both)
what must the firm keep in relation to risk assessment?
up to date written record of the steps it has taken for risk assessment
What processes and controls must firms have in place to deal with money laudnering?
A firm must establish and maintain written policies, controls and procedures, proportionate to its size and nature AND approved by senior management
What officers must each firm have?
- Money Laundering Compliance Officer (MLCO) - at the level of senior management to be responsible for compliance
- Nominated officer - to receive reports of money laundering and liaise with National Crime Agency
both roles can be by the same person
What internal control must be in place in respect to employees?
Screening of employees whose work is relevant to compliance with the Regulations, before and during the course of their employment, to assess skills, knowledge, conduct and integrity.
In what circumstances must firms verify the client’s identity? (due diligence)
- client and sol agree to form a business relationship
- sol carrying out an occassional transaction to transfer funds > 1000 euros
- Sol suspects money laundering
- Sol doubts veracity of info/docs received
When should sol carry out verification?
as soon as possible after first contact MUST take place before business relationship established
what exceptions apply where the sol may be able to verify the clients identity during the business relationship?
- little risk of money laundering
- necessary to not interrupt normal conduct od business
- identity verified as soon as practicable
what happens if the sol cannot complete due diligence in time?
solicitor cannot:
* carry out a transaction with or for the client through a bank account OR
* establish a business relationship or carry out a transaction other than through a bank account
in these circs, sol must terminate business relationship and consider disclosing to NCA
Does due diligence end after verification?
no, need ongoing monitoring of the business relationship
standard due diligence - natural persons
Good practice to have either:
1. One gov doc verifying:
a. Name + address OR
b. Name + DOB
OR
2. One gov doc verifying name AND one supporting doc verifying name + address OR name + DOB
standard disclosure - general partnerships
- info on people who make up partnership
- BUT if well known and public info about them, may be sufficient to get:
- Name
- Registered or trading address
- Nature of business
standard due diligence - company
Verify the existence of the company (Companies House):
* Its name
* Company number
* Registered office address and principal place of business (if different)
If PRIVATE - check:
* Law that company is subject to
* constitution
* names of directors
standard due diligence - company and LLPs
get proof of registration before forming a business relationshp
standard disclosure - beneficial owners
sol must consider the identity of beneficial owners (i.e. where beneficial owner is not the client)
who is a beneficial owner in LLP and PRIVATE companies
individual who
* exercises ultimate control over management of body OR
* owns or controls more than 25% of shares or voting right OR
* controls the body
who is a beneficial owner in general partnership
individual who
* ultimately entitled to or controls more than 25% share of the capital or profits OR
* More than 25% of the voting rights, or
* Exercises control over the management of the partnership
who is a beneficial owner where trusts are concerned
- The settlor
- The trustees
- The beneficiaries
- Where beneficiaries have not been determined, the class of people for whom the trust is set up
- Any individual who has control over the trust
when is simplified due diligence permitted
firm determines through a risk assessment that the business relationship or transaction presents a low risk of money laundering or terrorist financing
sol must get evidence that transaction and client are eligible for simplified due diligence
what factors could a firm consider for simplified due diligence
- Whether the company is listed on a regulated market
- Location of the regulated market
- Where a client is established and does business
when is enhanced due diligence required?
- firm’s/SRA guidance identifies case as high risk
- client or counterpart in high risk country
- client provided false or stolen docs
- Politically Exposed persons (client or close family)
- complex
- other high risk issues
what steps must the sol carry out for enhanced due diligence
- Sol must take measures to examine background and purpose of transaction
- Consider need to get independent verification of client’s or beneficial owners identity or about ownership and control
- Enhanced ongoing monitoring
what is a PEP
individual with prominent public functions NOT middle ranking or junior officials
What additional steps need to be taken for PEPs?
- Get approval of senior management (e.g. managing partner) to act for the client
- Establish source of wealth and source of funds
- Enhanced ongoing monitoring of the business relationship
What is the requirement for training?
Firms are obliged to provide (and maintain a record of) training to their employees in respect of money laundering.
what is the effect of no training?
employee may have a defence to some of the offences under POCA