01
Funds through the firm for no legal reason
A client asks to route money through client account where there is no genuine legal service attached to the payment.
Risk indicators
What suspicious looks like in legal practice
Legal work is attractive to launderers precisely because it carries authority and confidentiality. The warning signs often appear in how a client behaves and how funds move through your account.
02
A matter that keeps changing
Instructions shift repeatedly, or the client is vague about the purpose and the parties involved.
03
Structures without substance
A client wants entities or arrangements set up with no commercial logic beyond distancing themselves from assets.
04
Reluctance to identify the real party
The person instructing you avoids naming the ultimate beneficial owner or the source of the money.
05
Unusual settlement patterns
Funds arrive from or are paid to third parties, or in amounts that do not match the matter.
06
Pressure and speed
A client pushes to complete quickly and discourages the questions a normal engagement would involve.
The regulatory stakes
The cost of getting it wrong
Law firms within the DNFBP regime are supervised for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML and CTF) compliance. These figures show the scale of what the regulator can impose where obligations are not met.
Up to AED 5M
Administrative fines for AML and CTF breaches
From AED 50,000 per violation, under Cabinet Decision No. 16 of 2021 (Unified List of Violations and Administrative Fines). [VERIFY]
Licence
Suspension or restriction for repeated or serious failures
Supervisors can restrict the right to practise. [VERIFY]
[VERIFY]
Legal practices penalised to date
Confirm the current published figure before this page goes live. [VERIFY]
Self-check
Are you in scope?
If any of these describe your work, UAE law may treat you as a Designated Non-Financial Business or Profession with AML obligations. Tick what applies.
You may carry AML obligations
Legal professionals fall within the UAE DNFBP regime when they carry out qualifying transactions for clients. That can mean goAML registration, client due diligence, source of funds checks and reporting. We help you scope and meet exactly what applies to your practice.
0 of these apply to you
How we help Law Firms & Legal Advisors
What we do
We help law firms meet their AML and CTF obligations in a way that respects client confidentiality, from scoping which work is in scope through to due diligence, reporting and staff readiness.
01
Scoping and Registration
We identify which of your activities fall within the DNFBP regime and register the firm where required, so your obligations are clear rather than assumed.
In-scope activity assessment
A clear view of which matters trigger AML duties and which do not.
goAML registration
Registration with the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) where your work requires it.
Privilege-aware reporting
A reporting approach that meets your duties while respecting legal professional privilege.
02
Client and Matter Due Diligence
We design Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and source of funds checks that fit legal engagements and client account work.
- Client identification and verification
- Source of funds on client account
- Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) for higher-risk clients and matters
03
Procedures and Trained Staff
We give your fee earners and support staff clear procedures and the training to apply them with confidence.
- Red flag awareness for fee earners
- Internal escalation and reporting route
- Documented training records for inspection
How we get you compliant
From scoping your obligations to a working reporting routine, built around legal practice and confidentiality.
Related services
Services most relevant to law firms and legal advisors
AML Framework
The risk assessment, policies and procedures your firm is required to hold.
Explore service →MLRO-as-a-Service
An experienced reporting officer to own your filings and oversight.
Explore service →Grievance & Appeal
Representation if your firm receives a regulatory notice or penalty.
Explore service →