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How Can You Manage Flexible CDD Workflows to Stay Compliant?

Shanté Simpson avatar
Written by Shanté Simpson
Updated over a week ago

At Legl, we understand that maintaining ongoing compliance under the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) guidelines and Money Laundering Regulations is critical to your firm’s success.


This guide outlines how Legl enables flexible, efficient, and auditable Client Due Diligence (CDD) across a variety of common client and matter scenarios.

Our workflows are designed to support you in:

  • Onboarding new clients and performing AML checks

  • Refreshing CDD for existing clients

  • Performing counterparty checks

  • Managing low-risk or non-AML related work

  • Maintaining up-to-date identity validation


Refreshing CDD for Individual and Business Clients

Recommended Workflow: In-Person CDD > Standard CDD - No ID Document Verification

Use this process when:

  • You have a valid identity document already on file

  • Clients do not possess a government-issued photo ID

What’s Included:

  • Financial screening (credit, financial history checks)

  • Proof of identity verification (using existing documents)

  • Watchlist screening:

    • Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)

    • Sanctions lists

    • Adverse media databases

Benefits:

  • No additional client input required

  • Ensures compliance for ongoing or repeat matters

  • Reduces operational friction while maintaining auditability


Simplified Counterparty KYC Screening

Recommended Workflow: Watchlist-Only Screening

Use this process when:

  • Verifying counterparties with limited information

Required Inputs:

  • Full name

  • (Optional) Year of birth

What’s Screened:

  • PEPs

  • Sanctions

  • Adverse media mentions

Benefits:

  • Quick, efficient verification

  • Minimal disruption to transaction flow

  • Satisfies regulatory requirements for counterparty checks


CDD for Low-Risk or Non-AML Work

Recommended Workflow: Basic CDD Workflow

Use this process when:

  • Onboarding recurring clients

  • Conducting legal work outside AML regulation scope

What’s Included:

  • Identity document validation (without requiring a selfie)

Benefits:

  • Streamlined, low-friction onboarding

  • Full audit trail maintained for compliance

  • Suitable for conveyancing, probate, or other low-risk legal services


Ongoing Identity Validation & Monitoring

Recommended Features:

  • Re-screening capabilities for client records

  • Automated ongoing monitoring for risk alerts

Management Tools:

  • Use the MLRO Dashboard to:

    • View clients with expired CDD

    • Identify clients not enrolled in ongoing monitoring

    • Access detailed results and audit trails for every client

Benefits:

  • Proactive compliance management

  • Real-time visibility over client CDD status

  • Support internal audits and SRA inspections effortlessly


Next Steps: Customise Your Compliance Workflows

If you would like guidance on adapting your workflows to the latest SRA and AML expectations, our team is here to help.

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