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ARTICLE · 29 DECEMBER 2008

Effective January 1, 2009, Lawyers Must Comply With Client Identification And Verification Requirements

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
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Recent rule amendments promulgated by the Law Society of Upper Canada have imposed certain "Know Your Client" requirements on lawyers in Ontario and it is anticipated that the Barreau du Quebec will soon impose similar rules.

CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Mark Connelly
Mark Connelly
Alan Golden
Alan Golden
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Recent rule amendments promulgated by the Law Society of Upper Canada have imposed certain "Know Your Client" requirements on lawyers in Ontario and it is anticipated that the Barreau du Québec will soon impose similar rules. Law societies across Canada, which are the governing bodies of the legal profession, are in the process of adopting similar rules. The purpose of the new requirements, which have been encouraged by the federal government, is to enhance public protection by assisting in the prevention of activities such as money laundering. The requirements are not dissimilar to, but are generally less onerous than, the regulation in European countries that has for some time surrounded the opening of bank accounts.

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