Client Take-On Policy.
Before we can act for you, we carry out a few checks. This page explains what those checks are, why we do them, and what we may need from you. They are a normal part of taking on any new client, and we aim to make them quick and straightforward.
Becoming a client
Getting in touch with us, or using this website, does not by itself make you a client or create a solicitor-client relationship. You become a client only once we have agreed to act for you and confirmed that in writing, after we have completed our client and matter take-on checks. We will then set out the basis on which we act in an engagement letter and our terms of business.
Please do not send us confidential, sensitive or legally privileged information until we have confirmed we are able to act and have completed our conflict checks, unless we have asked you to. This protects both you and our other clients: if information you send us is relevant to an existing client’s matter, we may in some circumstances be required to disclose it.
What our take-on checks involve
As part of responsibly taking on a new client and matter, we carry out:
Conflict checks: to make sure we can act for you without a conflict of interest.
Identity checks: to confirm who you are (see below).
A risk assessment: to ensure we are the best firm to act for you.
Why we verify your identity
Professional rules made by the Solicitors Regulation Authority govern how law firms operate, and the law requires us to know who our clients are. Law firms can be targeted by criminals seeking to make the proceeds of crime appear legitimate, so we must identify and verify every client before we act and, where relevant, anyone acting on a client’s behalf and the owners or controllers of a business. Verifying identity at the outset protects you, protects us, and helps prevent financial crime.
How we verify your identity
We will tell you which documents we need, typically proof of identity (such as a passport or driving licence) and proof of address (such as a recent utility bill or bank statement).
If you are a foreign national or live outside the UK, we may need to carry out additional checks and additional charge may apply for these.
Companies and organisations
If we are acting for a company or other organisation, we will usually carry out an electronic search on the organisation itself. In many cases we will also need to verify the identity of its directors, owners or other beneficial owners, and of anyone giving us instructions on the organisation’s behalf.
When we can start work
As a general rule, we are not able to start work on your matter until we have the identity evidence we need. We will always try to complete our checks promptly so there is as little delay as possible.
Checks during your matter
Client due diligence is not only a one-off exercise at the start. We keep it under review while we act for you, and we may need to update our checks, for example if you move address, if your circumstances change, or if something unexpected arises. If your matter is ongoing, we may also ask for a fresh proof of address, such as a recent utility bill. If we ever need further evidence from you, we will explain what we need and help you provide it.
If we cannot complete our checks
If we are unable to obtain satisfactory evidence of identity or address, or any other information we reasonably require, we will not be able to act for you or, if we have already started, to continue acting.
Reporting obligations
We will never knowingly assist money laundering or the financing of terrorism. In certain circumstances the law requires legal professionals to report knowledge or suspicion of these matters to the National Crime Agency. If we have to make such a report, we may be prevented by law from telling you that we have done so, or the reasons for it, and we will not be responsible for any loss you may suffer as a result.
How we use your information
Any personal information we collect for these checks is handled in line with data protection law and our Privacy Notice, which is published on this website and explains how we use and protect your information.
Questions
If you have any questions about our take-on process, or would like to know more, please contactus at info@newroadlegal.com.
August 2026