Are legal consultancy offices in the UAE subject to AML obligations?
Yes. Legal consultancy offices are treated as DNFBPs and carry the same core AML obligations as law firms when they perform in-scope activities for clients, such as forming companies, handling client funds or acting on real estate and business transactions. The label on the licence does not decide the question; what matters is whether the office performs activities that create money laundering exposure.
That means a legal consultancy must maintain an enterprise risk assessment, apply customer due diligence, screen clients against sanctions lists, keep records and file suspicious transaction reports through goAML. Supervisors have issued circulars reminding law firms and legal consultancy offices to keep their AML policies and procedures up to date, so offices should treat compliance as an ongoing programme rather than a one-time registration.
Legal Reference (UAE):
· Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025, Article 19 - applies preventive obligations to all DNFBPs, including legal consultancy offices.
· Ministry of Economy and Tourism - financial crimes legislation - supervisory guidance and circulars for legal professionals.
For more details, consult the full text of Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 or seek guidance from your AML compliance officer.