Welcome to the Regulation & Compliance Office’s fortnightly roundup, where we look at all the latest stories to keep you ahead and informed in the world of law and compliance. The RACO roundup is just another way in which we keep the solicitors and other law professionals we work with in the know, so we can ascertain that you are never missing the vital development so ccurring in your profession. Below, you will find the most recent headlines selected by our compliance experts, followed by a Security Section that provides an overview of the latest scams currently impacting solicitors and their clients.

Recent Changes to the FATF High-Risk Country Lists: What Law Firms Need to Know

Recent FATF Changes:

What Your Law Firm Needs to Know The FATF has updated its high-risk country list following the October 2025 plenary meeting. Notably, South Africa and Nigeria have been removed from the monitoring list, signalling progress in their AML/CFT frameworks.

What this means for your firm:

Review client due diligence for matters linked to these jurisdictions. Avoid blanket downgrades – maintain individualised risk assessments. Update your Firm Wide Risk Assessment to reflect these changes. The updated FATF monitoring list now includes countries such as Algeria, Angola, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Kenya, Lebanon, Venezuela, Yemen, and
others.

• Ensure your compliance remains robust:
  At the Regulation & Compliance Office (RACO), we offer tailored solutions
  to support law firms:
• Regulation & Compliance Service: Bespoke risk management and AML support.
• Outsourced Guidance & Support: Day-to-day compliance handled by experts
• Due Diligence & Risk Assessment Service: CDD and client risk.
• AML Training Courses: Efficient management of From firm-wide training to one-to-one sessions for MLROs/MLCOs.

Act Now: Update your compliance framework and mitigate risk effectively! Read full blog here

Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys – The SRA have Issued Guidance

The SRA has issued new guidance regarding Mazur, but it largely mirrors prior advice from the Law Society and CILEx.

Key points for law firms:

• Self-reporting remains discretionary– hold tight, but record breaches internally.
• Effective supervision is critical – authorised persons must maintain active oversight of litigation and reserved legal activities.
• Document everything – keep clear audit trails of decision-making and work processes.
• Supervision intensity should match complexity matters vs. complex litigation.

Next Steps:

• Review and update your supervision policies.
• Identify which staff are authorised vs. exempt, and ensure roles comply with the Legal Services Act 2007.
• Maintain a list of conduct vs. support activities for your staff across litigation, conveyancing, probate, notary, and administration of oaths.

RACO Compliance Support:

• Bespoke Regulation & Compliance Services
• Outsourced guidance for COLPs, COFAs, MLROs, MLCOs
• Due Diligence & Risk Assessment Services
• Tailored AML and compliance training

Protect your firm and stay compliant – read the full blog here

Scam Alerts

Warning: Website Misusing the name of Farrer & Co LLP

Alert:

The SRA has issued a warning that a fraudulent website is misusing the name and contact details of Farrer & Co LLP, a genuine law firm.

The Scam:

• Fake website: https://anndaubenytrust.com/
• Fake email: grant@anndaubenytrust.com
• Fake phone: +44-75-217-1075
• Any business via these details is not authorised or regulated by the SRA.

Guidance:

• Verify all correspondence claiming to be from Farrer & Co LLP or similar firms.
• Contact the genuine firm directly using verified details:
• Website: www.farrer.co.uk
• Phone: 020 3375 7000
• Email domain: @farrer.co.uk
• Check SRA records to confirm a firm or individual is authorised.
• Conduct due diligence before acting on any instructions or transactions.

Read the full alert here

Warning: Email and stamped letter misusing the name of Rothera Bray LLP and Sandeesh Samra

Alert

The SRA has issued a warning about fraudulent correspondence misusing the names of Rothera Bray LLP and solicitor Sandeesh Samra.

The Scam:

• Fraudulent email: ss.samra@rotherabray.co.uk – phone 01592 200 774
• Fraudulent stamped letter: misuses the firm’s name, address, website, and a bogus stamp.
• Claims to act on behalf of a tenant for electricity and gas accounts.
• Any business through these contacts is not authorised or regulated by the SRA

Guidance:

• Verify all correspondence claiming to be from Rothera Bray LLP or Sandeesh Samra.
• Use the genuine firm and solicitor details:
• Firm: 2 Kayes Walk, The Lace Market, Nottingham, NG1 1PZ
• Phone: 01159 100 600 | Email: enquiries@rotherabray.co.uk | Website: www.rotherabray.co.uk
• Solicitor: Sandeesh Kaur Samra | Phone: 01159 165 209 | Email: s.samra@rotherabray.co.uk
• Check the SRA register to confirm that firms and solicitors are authorised.
• Conduct thorough due diligence before acting on any communications.

Read the full alert here.

BEEN CONTACTED? Here’s What to Do…

When a firm’s or individual’s identity has been copied or cloned, due diligence is necessary. If you receive correspondence you believe to be suspicious, you should conduct your own due diligence by checking the authenticity of the correspondence by contacting the law firm directly by reliable and established means. You can also contact the SRA directly to find out if individuals or firms are regulated and authorised by the SRA and verify an individual’s or firm’s practising details. Other verification methods, such as checking public records (e.g. telephone directories and company records), maybe required in other circumstances.

Reach Out to RACO

We at RACO are always at hand to provide tailored guidance to help you make the most informed and beneficial decisions. We help you understand the recurrent regulatory shifts and work with you to provide solutions. With our team of professional specialists and our renowned legal expertise, we can work with your firm to always ensure you are never left unprepared in the wake of legal changes or cyber threats.

For more information on how we can help, call our consultants on 0203 985 8550 or email us at info@regulationandcomplianceoffice.co.uk