It is a commonly held view of many in law enforcement that lawyers are not doing enough to combat money laundering. The perception is that behind many money laundering schemes lies a lawyer willingly assisting. The very low level of suspicious activity reports (SARs) made to the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) by solicitors over the years reinforces this view.
However, the Money Laundering Regulations 2003, which come into effect on 1 March, 2004, will require solicitors to take money laundering much more seriously.
