Yes, all lawyers require ID from their clients, whichever firm you choose to instruct. Put simply, providing proof of ID is necessary to complete all sorts of transactions – and for very good reason.
Accessing legal services is no exception, regardless of the provider you choose. Our commitment is to protect you at all times – and that includes safeguarding against fraud, such as identity theft. In order to do this, we need to be satisfied that your credentials are genuine before we can act for you
ID checks are also necessary to comply with Anti-Money Laundering regulations. These regulations are designed to prevent money obtained by criminal activity from being filtered through recognised channels (such as a lawyer’s bank account) in order to legitimise and launder it.
If our lawyers fail to follow the required procedures regarding ID checks then the Solicitors Regulation Authority (our professional body) will view this as a serious breach of professional conduct. As a result, the lawyer concerned could be ‘struck off’, lose their job, and therefore be unable to help you.
The sooner that you are able to present your certified ID to your lawyer, the sooner they can begin to act on your behalf.