In this article attention will focus on the risks to high street solicitors in England and Wales who handle money on behalf of clients which may be the proceeds of criminal activity. There are many difficult issues involved and some of these will be discussed.

‘The activities of professional advisers, particularly lawyers has, in the past, caused considerable concern in the field of money‐laundering activities, due in no small part to the existence of the secrecy generated by the attorney‐client privilege.’

The importance of fighting money laundering has for some time been recognised by British governments, and the imminent introduction of new legislation which aims inter alia to reduce the level of financial crime provides an opportunity to increase the effectiveness of the...