The upcoming anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML CTF) reforms will not apply to Legal Aid Commissions or to private practitioners acting under a grant of legal aid.
Through our national networks, the Law Society understands that National Legal Aid Chair Annmarie Lumsden sought clarification from AUSTRAC on whether Legal Aid Commissions, and practitioners providing services under legal aid grants, would be captured by the expanded AML CTF obligations applying to certain legal services.
AUSTRAC confirmed that these services do not constitute “designated services” under the AML CTF Act and therefore do not trigger AML CTF obligations.
As a result, legal practitioners employed by Legal Aid Commissions, and private practitioners undertaking work under a grant of legal aid, are not subject to AML CTF requirements solely by reason of providing those services.
For more resources and information on the AML CTF changes coming, and how they will impact you, visit the Law Society’s AML CTF Hub.
