UK United Kingdom

New Documents

HM Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation issued a notice concerning the addition of two individuals and four entities to the consolidated list pursuant to the Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023.

The U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced coordinated sanctions with Canada and the U.S. that target individuals and companies involved in Iran’s drone industry.

Enforcement Actions

The Solicitor Regulation Authority decided that Albert Partington, a solicitor and director of Ogden Lyles & Fox, must pay a fine of £11,013.67 for violating the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 and other breaches of conduct.

The Solicitor Regulation Authority fined the London, U.K.-based firm £9,000 for violating the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017.


Important Facts

  • The U.S. State Department identifies the United Kingdom (U.K.) as a major money laundering jurisdiction. The country’s leading role in European and world finance, size, sophistication and reputation of its financial markets make the U.K. attractive to money launderers. The majority of money laundering is cash-based, in particular cash collections networks, international controls, money services businesses and informal alternative remittance systems. Also, professionals in the legal and accountancy sectors move and launder criminal proceeds. The country is suffering from major gaps in intelligence, especially in relation to high-end money laundering, which is particularly relevant to major frauds and foreign corruption where proceeds are generally held in bank accounts, real estate or other investments rather than cash. The United Kingdom has implemented know your customer and suspicious transaction reporting regulations, as well as enhanced due diligence for foreign politically exposed persons. Although the U.K. adheres to the EU’s Fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive, it passed the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018, the legislative basis for the U.K.’s anti-money laundering regime following its planned departure from the European Union.
Source: 2019 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR)

Rankings

FATF i | 2013 Methodology

Technical Effectiveness
Compliant : 23 High : 4
Largely Compliant : 15 Substantial : 4
Partially Compliant : 2 Moderate : 3
Non-Compliant : 0 Low : 0

BASEL i

Rank : 116/141
Score : 4.02/10

TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL i

Rank : 12/180
Score : 77/100

Tax Justice Network i

Rank : 12/133
Score : 46/100