ARCaml for Legal: Compliance Made Simple
For lawyers and conveyancers, Tranche 2 introduces new AML/CTF obligations on top of an already demanding workload. Your training is in law - not compliance administration. Starting July 2026, you'll need to:
Legal Professionals: Gatekeeper Obligations with LPP Protection
From 1 July 2026, lawyers and conveyancers providing designated services have AML/CTF obligations. AUSTRAC states criminals have taken advantage of 'gatekeeper professions' to facilitate money laundering. The reforms include explicit LPP protections.
9 Designated Services
- • Buying or selling real estate on behalf of clients
- • Managing client money, securities or property
- • Managing bank or securities accounts
- • Organising investments for companies/entities
- • Creating/restructuring companies or legal entities
- • Selling shelf companies
- • Arranging nominee directors/secretaries
- • Arranging nominee shareholders
- • Acting as registered office or business address
Litigation, criminal law, family law & tax advice are NOT designated
Legal Professional Privilege Protected
- • Act explicitly preserves LPP
- • Your right to refuse privileged information is not affected
- • If withholding on LPP grounds, submit LPP form to AUSTRAC
- • Privilege does not apply to furthering crime/fraud
Note: Your duty of confidentiality to clients regarding privileged matters remains intact.
Client Behaviour Red Flags
- • Avoids face-to-face meetings
- • Ends relationship when CDD requested
- • Excessive concern about confidentiality
- • Pays higher fees without clear reason
- • Unusual knowledge of AML/CTF rules
Client Profile Red Flags
- • Foreign political figures (PEPs)
- • Frequent change of lawyers
- • No established office, high-risk country
- • Business with no online presence
- • Structure doesn't make commercial sense
Complex Structure Red Flags
- • Requests structures to hide ownership
- • Requests to use your trust account
- • Large volume company/trust creation
- • Use of shell/shelf companies
- • Transfers with no apparent purpose
Key Dates for Legal Professionals
- 31 March 2026: AUSTRAC enrolment opens
- 1 July 2026: AML/CTF obligations commence
- 29 July 2026: Enrolment deadline (within 28 days of first designated service)
How ARCaml Solves Your Compliance Challenge
ARCaml is a CDD as a Service platform that handles your customer due diligence obligations while respecting the unique requirements of legal practice.
Identity Verification
Automated KYC for clients before opening matters-government ID verification
Beneficial Ownership
Identify who really owns and controls corporate clients, trusts, and partnerships
Source of Funds
Verify where client funds come from-property purchases, trust accounts
PEP & Sanctions
Screen all parties against global PEP and sanctions lists-AUSTRAC compliant
Your AML/CTF Compliance Journey
Step-by-step guidance for legal professionals.
Get Started with ARCaml
Step 1Sign up for ARCaml's CDD as a Service. We'll configure your account for legal services compliance requirements.
Send your client a verification link
Step 2Before opening a matter, send your client a secure link from your portal. They complete a simple guided workflow - no app needed.
Client verifies their identity
Step 3Your client submits their ID and details. ARCaml analysts verify identities, check beneficial ownership, and screen against PEP & sanctions lists.
Receive your CDD Report
Step 4A structured CDD report is delivered to your portal - risk rated, evidence packaged, audit-ready. Retained for 7 years.
Focus on your practice
Step 5Proceed with confidence on your matters. Decision and responsibility remain with you - execution is off your desk.