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. The words in quotations are defined in Rule 3-98.
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 - Client Identification, Verification and Source of Money Checklist
Practice Resource - Client Identification and Verification - Top 10 Tips
Practice Resource - Client ID & Verification - Frequently asked questions
Rules - Definitions of “client” and “organization”: Law Society Rule 3-98
Practice Resource - Anti-Money Laundering Webinar 2024 at 1:15
Practice Resource - Client ID & Verification resources web page
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