Welcome > ADMA > Your Enquiry > Client Identification & Verification > Do client identification and client verification mean the same thing?
The following are resources that may be helpful in answering your enquiry. Please familiarize yourself with them before moving on.
In brief: Identification and verification are separate but related concepts. Identification refers to the basic information in Law Society Rule 3-100 that you must obtain and record with the applicable date about your “client” at the time you are retained to provide legal services. Verification is required when there is a financial transaction, with limited exemptions. For an individual, including an individual instructing you on an organization’s behalf, and an organization itself, it involves verifying that the client is who they say they are by using a verification method in Law Society Rule 3-102. For an organization, it additionally involves complying with the identification requirements in Rule 3-103. You should only obtain and retain copies of an individual’s identity documents if required to meet your professional obligations.
Rules - Definition of “financial transaction”: Law Society Rule 3-98.
Rules - Client identification: Law Society Rule 3-100.
Rules - Client verification: Law Society Rule 3-102.
Practice Resource - See New client verification and source of money requirements, Winter 2019 Benchers’ Bulletin (p.13) for an overview. (Note the changes to Law Society Rules 3-102 and 3-104 made on March 8, 2024 that affect limited parts of this resource.)
Practice Resource - Client Identification, Verification and Source of Money Checklist, current to September 1, 2023; includes Sample Agreement with Agent for Verification. (Note the changes to Law Society Rules 3-102 and 3-104 made on March 8, 2024 that affect limited parts of this resource.)
Rules - Definitions of “client” and “organization”: Law Society Rule 3-98.
Practice Resource - Anti-Money Laundering Webinar: See in particular 1:00:00 and 1:05:00.
Feel free to navigate away or close this window if you've got the information you need.
We'd be pleased to hear any feedback you may have by email.