SRA fines recLAW LLP for failing to submit required AML compliance data
RecLAW LLP has been fined £750 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority after failing to provide the required anti-money laundering (AML) and sanctions data.
The decision, dated 17 April 2026 and published on 20 April 2026, also requires the firm to pay £150 in costs. The sanction was imposed following the firm’s failure to respond to a formal request for information from the regulator.
According to the SRA, law firms are required to provide full and accurate information promptly when requested, particularly in relation to compliance with AML and sanctions obligations. These requirements form part of the regulator’s oversight of firms’ adherence to financial crime prevention measures.
The SRA found that recLAW LLP did not submit the requested data despite being asked to do so. The firm was given notice of the breach and a reasonable opportunity to remedy the situation, but failed to comply within the specified timeframe.
This conduct was found to be in breach of paragraph 3.3(a) of the SRA Code of Conduct for Firms, which requires firms to cooperate with the regulator and provide information when requested.
The regulator determined that a financial penalty was appropriate in the circumstances. Fixed penalties are typically applied in cases where firms fail to meet administrative or regulatory requirements, including obligations to respond to information requests.
The SRA did not provide further details about the underlying AML or sanctions data requested or any wider compliance concerns. No findings were made regarding harm to clients or misuse of funds.
The firm operates as a licensed body and is based in Hove Business Centre on Fonthill Road. As a regulated entity, it is subject to ongoing obligations to comply with regulatory standards, including those relating to transparency and cooperation with the SRA.
The decision highlights the importance placed by the regulator on timely and accurate reporting, particularly in areas linked to financial crime prevention. Failure to engage with regulatory processes can result in enforcement action, even in the absence of evidence of substantive wrongdoing.
The SRA has continued to emphasise the role of firms in supporting efforts to combat money laundering and ensure compliance with sanctions regimes. Providing requested information is considered a fundamental part of that responsibility.
The sanction serves as a reminder that firms must respond promptly to regulatory enquiries and maintain appropriate systems to meet their reporting obligations.