How BLP Law Implemented Leading AML Software

Berwin, Leighton Paisner (BLP) are a full service law firm employing around 720 lawyers including 190 partners. BLP Law have a diverse client list ranging from large corporate organisations and financial institutions to government and public sector bodies.

Within this range of services, BLP needed to ensure they were complying with the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and verifying their customers’ identities.

Using software for AML Compliance:

The Money Laundering Regulations 2007 were bought into force on 15th December 2007 and require law firms to carry out Know Your Customer checks on all clients.

BLP have around 170 conflict checks and 25 new clients each week that they need to verify.  Obtaining hard copy documents can be disruptive to the customer and BLP wanted a way to quickly electronically verify their identity.

When and how AML software is used:

BLP adhere to the Money Laundering Regulations and find electronic verification software a quick and easy way to verify their new clients and also ensure compliance to the regulations.

There are a number of additional circumstances where BLP carry out electronic identity checks using 192business:

1. If the partner has never met the client

2. If the money they receive for a case is from a source they are unaware of.  E.g. a tenant paying for the landlords fees

3. When completing a property sale, new Land Registry laws stipulate that everyone in the transaction must be verified

4. For verifying staff who are about to go on secondments to ensure they do not have any CCJs against their names.

“I find 192business incredibly easy to use and the support excellent.  We use 192business to make our partner’s lives easier by completing quick and effective online verification.  This in turn makes our clients’ lives easier.”
Amasis Saba, Berwin Leighton Paisner

Global AML Software

BLP have been looking into 192business’ global identity verification databases including Germany and USA for verifying international clients.

Additionally BLP are looking into eventually integrating identity checks directly into their case management system to save staff even more time and effort.