Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements

From 1 July 2018, new obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT) came into effect for lawyers across New Zealand. These laws are designed to help detect and deter money laundering and terrorist financing, protecting New Zealand’s reputation as a safe place to do business and helping authorities bring serious criminals to justice.

What This Means for You

To comply with these legal requirements, Edmonds Judd (like all law firms) must complete certain checks before we can act for you. This process is called customer due diligence. It applies to both new and existing clients, and even long-standing relationships are included — the law requires it across the board.

When you engage us, we will need to confirm:

• Your full name

• Your date of birth

• Verification of your residential address

For some transactions, we may also need:

• Information about the nature and purpose of the work we are doing for you

• Confirmation of the source of funds involved in the transaction

Companies, Trusts & Other Entities

If you are engaging us on behalf of a company, trust, or other organisation, we are also required to collect information about the structure and the people connected to it. This may include:

• Directors and shareholders (for companies)

• Trustees and beneficiaries (for trusts)

• Other parties with authority or effective control

This helps ensure we understand who is involved and that we are meeting our obligations under the law.

Why This Matters

We appreciate that gathering this information can feel time-consuming, particularly if you have been a valued client of ours for many years. However, these requirements are now a standard part of legal practice in New Zealand. Every law firm must comply, and without the information, we may not be able to act for you.

The process is straightforward, and our team will guide you through it. Our priority is to make it as smooth and efficient as possible, while ensuring we meet our legal obligations and keep your matters moving forward.

Identification Requirements

Please see our Identification Requirements PDF for details of the documents we will need from you. If you are unsure, or if you would like to discuss what applies in your situation, please contact us — we’re here to help.