Guidance for the profession

The Law Society has published extensively over the years in an effort to guide lawyers in recognizing and avoiding areas of risk that can be targeted by money launderers. 

Read our rules, publications and resources about:

• Anti-money laundering generally
• Client ID and verification
• No-cash rule
• Trust accounts

Anti-money laundering generally

• Risk Assessment Case Studies for the Legal Profession, February 2020, Federation of Law Societies
• Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risk Advisories, December 2019, Federation of Law Societies
• “Combatting money laundering,” a feature story in the Fall 2019 Benchers’ Bulletin
• Private lending, April 2, 2019 Discipline advisory
• Guidance for the Legal Profession, February 2019, Federation of Law Societies
• “SCC decision on the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act,” Spring 2015 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "BC Supreme Court rules that provisions do not apply to lawyers," Winter 2011 Benchers’ Bulletin (p.6)
• "Don’t be taken advantage of by dishonest clients – ethical guidelines and rules," Practice watch, Summer 2011 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Anti-money laundering initiatives," p.6, May 2008 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Why we won't let down our guard on money laundering," President's View, March-April 2006 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Lawyer independence in the balance," President's View, April-May 2005 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Closing Comments," President's View, November-Dececember 2004 Benchers' Bulletin 
• "Constitutional challenge adjourned to November, 2004," p.3, March-April 2003 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Money laundering," Practice Watch, November-Dececember 2002 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Lawyers across Canada exempt from all Part I recording and reporting provisions," p.11,  May-June/July-August 2002 Benchers' Bulletin
• "B.C., Ontario lawyers exempt from new money laundering reporting requirements: B.C. Court of Appeal upholds interlocutory order," p.6, January-February 2002 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Anti-terrorism legislation: new threat to right to counsel?," p.1, and "B.C. lawyers exempt from new money laundering reporting requirements," p.5, November-Dececember 2001 Benchers' Bulletin 
• "Sweeping proceeds of crime legislation is imminent," p.1, September-October 2001 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Proceeds of Crime working group calls for changes to money laundering legislation," p.1, May-June 2001 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Lawyers to report transactions over $10,000 once Bill C-22 takes effect," Practice Watch, March-April 2001 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Laundering the Proceeds of Crime," Treasurer's Notes, February-March 1991 Benchers' Bulletin
• "The Impact of Proceeds of Crime Legislation on the Practice of Law," August 1990 Benchers' Bulletin Supplement
• p.4, November 1989 Benchers' Bulletin

Client ID and verification

• UPDATED - Client Identification, Verification and Source of Money Checklist, September 1, 2022
• “Real estate transactions – know your client primer,” Practice advice, in the Summer 2021 Benchers’ Bulletin
• Random calls and emails inquiring about shelf companies, Fraud alert, March 4, 2021
• Client identification and verification rules – Law Society Rules, Part 3, Division 11
• “Client identification and verification – addressing your questions,” Practice advice, in the Fall-Winter 2020 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Knowing your client – Guidance and rules during Covid-19," Practice advice, in the Summer 2020 Benchers’ Bulletin
• Anti-Money Laundering Measures webinar, July 2020
• “Know your client - addressing questions and risks,” Practice advice, in the Spring 2020 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Client verification in the context of COVID-19," Notice to the Profession, March 17, 2020 
• Law Society v. Wilson: 2019 LSBC 25 (decision on facts and determination) and 2020 LSBC 20 (decision on disciplinary action)
• Law Society v. Lo: 2020 LSBC 09 (decision of the hearing panel)
• Sample Agreement with Agent for Verification of Client Identity (effective January 1, 2020)
• “New client verification and source of money requirements,” Practice advice, in the Winter 2019 Benchers’ Bulletin
• Anti-Money Laundering – Client Identification and Verification Rules, a webinar offered in November 2019 by the Law Society and Continuing Legal Education Society of BC; rebroadcast free of charge in 2020
• “Rule amendments enhance Law Society's anti-money laundering measures,” Practice advice, in the Fall 2019 Benchers’ Bulletin
• Client Identification and Verification Checklist, current to September 1, 2019
• "Anti-money laundering cash transaction rule essentials," Practice advice, Summer 2019 Benchers’ Bulletin
• Client ID and verification, February 8, 2018 Discipline Advisory
• “Help thwart scams – Follow the client ID rules and beware of changes to payment instructions,” Practice watch, Summer 2015 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Verifying the identity of a client outside of Canada," Practice watch, Spring 2012 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "More on client ID and verification and 'no cash'," Practice watch, Summer 2009 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Client identification and verification," Practice watch, April 2009 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Continuing professional development and new client identification," President's View, "Benchers adopt client identification and verification rules," p.6, and "Client identification and verification," Practice watch, December 2008 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "New start date for client identification and verification rules," p.11, and "Client identification and verification help," Practice watch, October 2008 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Anti-money laundering initiatives," p.6, May 2008 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Know your client – draft anti-money laundering regulations," p.13, July 2007 Benchers’ Bulletin

See also: Client ID & Verification

No-cash rule

• “Cash or cheque refunds; compromised records,” Practice advice, in the Winter 2021-2022 Benchers’ Bulletin
• No-cash rule – Law Society Rule 3-59 (Cash transactions)
• "Anti-money laundering cash transaction rule essentials," Practice advice, Summer 2019 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Cash transactions and records," Practice watch, Winter 2014 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Know your obligations before accepting cash," Winter 2013 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Changes to cash transaction rule," Practice watch, Winter 2009 Benchers' Bulletin
• "More on client ID and verification and 'no cash'," Practice watch, Summer 2009 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Receiving or accepting cash – is it worth it?," Practice watch, July 2008 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Cautions on cash and new scams," Practice watch, May 2008 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Know the rules for handling cash," Practice watch, October 2007 Benchers’ Bulletin
• "Why we won't let down our guard on money laundering," President's View, March-April 2006 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Lawyers not to accept $7,500 or more in cash trust deposits," p.6, and "Updates to the Rules and Handbook," p.9, July-August 2005 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Lawyers restricted from accepting $10,000 or more in cash," p.5, April-May 2005 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Rule 3-51.1 on cash received by lawyers," Practice Watch, September-October 2004 Benchers' Bulletin
• "Benchers pass rule to fight money laundering," p.11, May-June 2004 Benchers' Bulletin

Trust accounts

• Trust accounts for legal services only – Law Society Rule 3-58.1
• Law Society v. Daignault: 2020 LSBC 18 (decision of the hearing panel)
• Law Society v. Malik: Admission and undertaking accepted March 30, 2020 (Rule 4-29 Admission of Misconduct and Undertaking to Discipline Committee)
• Law Society v. Hsu: 2019 LSBC 29 (decision of the hearing panel)
• "Anti-money laundering cash transaction rule essentials," Practice advice, Summer 2019 Benchers’ Bulletin
• Lawyers are gatekeepers, April 10, 2018 Disciplinary Advisory
• Law Society v. Gurney: 2017 LSBC 15 (facts and determination) and (2017 LSBC 32 (disciplinary action)
• Law Society v. Skogstad: 2008 LSBC 19 (decision on facts and verdict) and 2009 LSBC 16 (decision on penalty)
• Law Society v. Hops: [2000] L.S.D.D. No. 11 (Benchers on review)
• Law Society v. Elias: (discipline case digest 94/5)