Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Key definition
Client definition What does Client mean? In legal practice, a client is the person or organisation for whom a lawyer or law firm acts and to whom professional duties are owed. This includes individuals, companies, partnerships and public bodies, whether instructing directly or through an agent. The term is a general professional expression rather than a statutory definition; its scope is shaped by engagement terms (the retainer) and by professional conduct rules and case law on duties of care, conflicts of interest, confidentiality and legal professional privilege. Key features include: identifying the correct client at the outset (especially for corporate clients, where the client is the entity,...
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Client and Matter Onboarding and Risk Management Policy: AML/CTF, CDD, Sanctions, Conflicts, Capacity, Source of Funds/Wealth, Property Checks, Costs, Sign-off
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Precedents
1 Introduction
1.1 Client and matter inception is a vital process that safeguards our firm, helps us understand our clients and their particular requirements, and ensures adherence to a range of regulatory obligations in full.
1.2 This document clearly explains our procedure for accepting new clients and opening new matters. It applies to all relevant people working at every level, including partners, Consultants, solicitors, and other employees (whether permanent, fixed‑term or temporary), contractors, trainees, seconded staff, home‑workers, casual staff, agency staff, interns and students, agents, sponsors, volunteers, or any other person associated with the firm wherever located (collectively referred to as ‘staff’ in this policy).
2 Responsibility
The [ insert, eg compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) ] holds responsibility for this document and oversees the firm’s arrangements for both client and matter inception. If they are not available and a prompt response is needed, please contact [ state who should be contacted, eg their deputy, your line manager, a partner ] as appropriate.
3 New client details and checks
3.1 You must clearly identify the client for whom you are acting on any given matter and, where the AML, CTF and counter‑proliferation financing regime applies, we must fully verify the client’s identity...
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Web page updated on 22/05/2026
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Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...
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