Alexander Christian · Compliance
Client Due Diligence
What we need and why
Before we can begin any matter, we are legally required to verify who you are and, in some cases, where your funds come from. This page explains what to expect, what you may need to provide, and why these checks exist.
Please note that we do not take on matters, where the business is registered outside England and Wales, or the client, entity or structure is unduly complex.
We suggest that potential clients book an initial consultation so that these issues can be considered at the begining of our interaction with you.
Why this matters
You have almost certainly done this before.
Banks, accountants, estate agents, mortgage lenders all regulated professions carry out the same identity and due diligence checks. These are not a reflection of suspicion or distrust. They are a legal and regulatory requirement that protects both you and us, and that we are obligated to carry out before any matter can begin.
A requirement
We are required to comply with regulation and legislation, we must confirm the identity of all clients and, in some matters, to understand the source of funds involved. We cannot begin any matter or continue one without completing these checks.
A safeguard for you
Due diligence protects you as well as us. It ensures that the person instructing us is who they say they are, that the matter is genuine, and that we can act in your best interests with confidence throughout the engagement.
Standard across the profession
Every firm carries out these checks. The checks are standard, proportionate, and in most cases straightforward to complete. But it requiries a willingness and co-operation from the potential and existing client.
The process
What to expect, four stages
Most potential clients go through all four stages. Some only require and initial consultation.
The process is explained at the start of your initial consultation.
01
02
03
04
In some situations for instances if you have a connection with a FATF high risk country, are a politically exposed person such as am MP or due to your business interests you may be required to provide source of funds and or source of wealth information. But if that is the situation we will explain it to you.
What you may need to provide
Document requirements individuals
Personal identification
We will ask you to verify your identity electronically where possible. Where electronic verification is not available or sufficient, we will ask for original documents or certified copies. The preferred forms of identification are listed below in order of preference.
- Electronic biometric verification via a secure app (preferred method)
- Passport current and unexpired, original
- Photo driving licence with current address, original
- Utility bill stating your full name and current address, dated within the last three months, original or certified copy
If your matter involves connections to high risk countries, if you or any other party is a Politically Exposed Person (PEP), or if there are other elevated risk factors, additional documentation will be required. This will be discussed with you at the outset of your matter.
Source of funds and wealth
Evidence of where your funds come from
Where a matter involves a financial transaction or where the source of the funds involved is relevant to the matter we are required to understand and evidence where those funds originate. The examples below illustrate the kind of documentation that may be requested. Your specific requirements will depend on the nature and circumstances of your matter.
Salary or employment income
- Recent payslips (three months or more)
- P60 or tax return
- Employer confirmation letter
Savings
- Bank statements showing the build-up of funds over time
- Savings account statements
Property sale
- Completion statement
- Solicitor's letter confirming sale proceeds
- Bank statement showing receipt of funds
Inheritance
- Grant of probate or letters of administration
- Solicitor's correspondence confirming inheritance
- Bank statement showing receipt of funds
Investment or asset sale
- Sale contract or investment statement
- Platform or broker statements
- Bank statement showing receipt of funds
Gift
- Letter from the donor confirming the gift
- Donor's identification documents
- Evidence of the donor's source of funds or wealth
Other sources including loans, company profits, insurance maturities, or pension income may require similar documentation. The specific requirements will be discussed with you at the outset of your matter.
Certifying documents
Who can certify your documents
Who may certify
- A member of the Judiciary, Senior Civil Servant, or serving Police or Customs Officer
- A practising Solicitor or Barrister
- An officer of an Embassy, Consulate or High Commission of the country that issued the document
- A Notary
- A Tax Adviser
- An Accountant
- An Insolvency Practitioner
- An Auditor
- A credit or financial institution which is an authorised person
- A consumer credit financial institution
Who cannot certify
A person cannot be a suitable certifier if they are related to the person being identified by birth or marriage, or if they are in a relationship with or living with the person being identified.
What the certification must include
The certifier must state that the copy is a true copy of the original document and in the case of a photograph a true likeness of the holder.
The certification must include the following information about the certifier:
- Their full name
- Their position or professional capacity
- Their address
- Their telephone number or email address
- Their official seal (where applicable)
The certification must be signed and dated, and the certifier must have had sight of the original documents.
Costs of certification
The costs associated with obtaining certified copies are your responsibility and are not recoverable from us under any circumstances including if we decide not to proceed with your matter.
Companies, partnerships and trusts
Document requirements entities
Where a client is an entity, or where an individual client has connections to an entity, we are required to identify and verify the entity as well as the relevant individuals connected to it. The requirements vary by entity type and are set out below.
Companies
For company clients we require the following information and documentation.
- Full names of all directors and persons who have and exercise strategic decision-taking powers or executive control
- Identification of each director electronic biometric verification where possible, or certified copy passport (all pages) plus certified copy of a current utility bill or bank statement dated within the last three months
- Details of any shareholder holding 25% or more of the shares
- Details of individuals holding significant voting rights
- Identification documents for each relevant shareholder as above
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Proof of registered address and trading address
- Details of the nature of the company's business
Certifications must be signed and dated by a suitable certifier who has had sight of the originals and certifies the copies to be true copies of the original documents and all photographic evidence to be a true likeness of the holders.
Partnerships
For partnership clients we require the following.
- Full names of all partners
- Identification documents for each partner, in the same form as for company directors above
- Partnership Agreement (where one exists)
- Details of the nature of the partnership's business and activities
- Proof of principal business address
Quick Contact -
See our Privacy Page
See our Client Due Diligence Page
See our Pre-onboarding Page
See our Fees Overview Page
Call Us: 020 4578 4684
Get in Touch at Any Time
Do not hesitate to contact us with any queries.
Alexander Christian
Harrow Business Centre
429-433 Pinner Road
North Harrow
Middlesex
Greater London
HA1 4HN
Phone : 020 4578 4684
We offer initial consultations by pre-arranged appointment only on:
Mondays and Tuesdays
- Pre- booked in advance
- In‑person at Harrow Business Centre
Office Hours
10am–4pm - Monday to Fridays
Contact Form: To help us respond efficiently, please complete the contact form. We may be with a client or have limited availability, and the form ensures we can follow up promptly and with the right information.
