While our approach to legal services remains unchanged, you may notice some additional information requests or checks for certain regulated services.

These requirements will not apply to every matter on which we work with you or every service we provide to you. However, they may affect how we provide legal services if we are helping you plan or carry out certain matters, such as:

• selling, buying or transferring real estate or companies;

• creating, restructuring or managing companies, trusts or other legal arrangements; and

• handling, managing or transferring funds or other assets as part of a transaction.

If we are providing relevant services, we may need to collect and verify additional information before, and in some cases during, our work with you. If that is the case, we will explain what we need and guide you through the process.  

When providing relevant services, we may need to obtain information such as:

• personal identification documents; 

• information on beneficial ownership; 

• details on sources of funds used in transactions; and 

• the purpose and nature of your matter. 

We will only ask for information that is relevant to your circumstances and the services we are asked to provide.

We may also use third party providers to obtain information, for example, to confirm your corporate structure or carry out Politically Exposed Person and sanctions checks.

In most cases, we will collect the required information at the start of a matter. If further checks are needed, we will explain what is required and work with you to make the process as efficient as possible.

We focus on streamlining our processes, and can usually progress matters without delay once we have the information we need. If any checks are required upfront, we will work with you to minimise any impact on timing.

No. As mentioned above, these requirements apply only to certain types of work. Where they are relevant, we will let you know early and tell you promptly if we need any further information.

The new requirements apply to both new and existing clients. This means we may need to confirm or update information we already hold.

Our approach to delivering legal advice will not change. If any additional regulatory steps apply to our work with you, we will work with you to manage them with as little disruption as possible.

We are committed to handling your information in accordance with our legal and professional obligations, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our Privacy Policy. We may also use service providers who handle and store all data in Australia and, like us, are required to comply with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

If you have any concerns about providing the requested information, please speak with us. We will work with you where there are practical difficulties. However, if we do not receive the information we need within a reasonable time, we may not be able to provide the relevant services. If this happens, we will seek to manage any transition appropriately.

Your Colin Biggers & Paisley contact can talk you through these requirements, answer your questions and guide you through the process.