The Law Society has issued a new practice note to help solicitors balance their obligations of confidentiality with their obligations to comply with court orders and notices from law enforcement agencies investigating suspected financial crime.
Solicitors play a key role in facilitating business and financial transactions that underpin the UK economy. Because of this important role, criminals may target your services to help them commit financial crimes or to launder the proceeds of those crimes.
As a result, law enforcement may seek access to client files to investigate whether the client, and possibly you or a fellow solicitor, have committed a criminal offence.
While you are required to comply with the law, you are also required to keep your client's information confidential.
This practice note aims to provide practical assistance on how to manage these competing obligations and provides a short overview of the main powers available to law enforcement when conducting financial crime investigations.
Read the practice note