The legal landscape in Scotland is undergoing a digital transformation, and staying competitive requires more than traditional client onboarding methods.
Manual processes like physical document collection are becoming outdated.
As regulatory pressures tighten, cybersecurity threats grow, and client expectations shift, adopting a digital approach can prove to be useful for firms.
Here’s why Scottish law firms should embrace digital tools for vetting and onboarding new clients in 2025:
1. Compliance with evolving regulations
The legal sector faces increasing scrutiny when it comes to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.
With ongoing government consultations aimed at enhancing Money Laundering Regulations, firms that embrace digital solutions now will be better positioned to navigate future regulatory changes.
Staying compliant is no longer just about ticking boxes; it’s about adopting tools that make compliance easier and more robust. Digital client onboarding can:
- Automate AML checks and sanctions screening to reduce human error
- Ensure thorough screening of clients and staff, including frontline AML personnel
- Provide a centralised platform to maintain a comprehensive audit trail, simplifying regulatory reporting
Employee screening is an important control for mitigating potential AML risks to your business when onboarding new employees or partners on an ongoing basis. The extent to which you undertake these checks will depend on the size and nature of the business. They can include background checks, verification of identity, and Right to Work checks.
The LSAG guidance requires you to have a policy and carry out checks on your “frontline AML staff”, as well as beneficial owners, officers and managers of the firm (BOOMs). For digital Right to Work and DBS checks, the UK Digital Identity Trust framework mandates the use of an accredited identity provider.
The right digital solution will handle your AML checks and staff screening, ensuring that you stay aligned with not only MLRs and LSAG but also the Trust Framework requirements.
2. Enhanced security and risk management
Legal services are attractive targets for cybercriminals due to the high-value transactions and sensitive data involved.
As cybersecurity threats grow, a comprehensive approach to risk management is essential.
Digital onboarding solutions can safeguard client data through:
- Advanced encryption and secure storage to protect sensitive information
- Access controls that limit who can view and manage client data
- Regular system updates to stay ahead of emerging threats
Additionally, digital providers often offer built-in tools for risk assessment and ongoing monitoring, making it easier to identify and mitigate potential risks.
Beyond technology, firms must also train staff to recognise phishing attempts and other cyber threats to maintain a secure environment.
By adopting a digital-first approach, law firms can protect themselves and reassure clients that their data is secure.
3. Meeting changing client expectations
Today’s clients expect the same level of convenience and efficiency from law firms that they receive from other industries.
The ‘Amazon effect’ has set new standards for service delivery. Instant onboarding, seamless digital experiences, and regular updates are now the norm.
Manual onboarding processes that require clients to attend in-person meetings or exchange countless emails are seen as outdated and inconvenient.
Digital onboarding offers:
- Same-day client verification for faster service delivery
- User-friendly platforms where clients can upload documents and complete checks remotely
- Real-time updates to keep clients informed throughout the onboarding process
Firms that fail to meet these expectations risk losing clients to more agile, non-traditional legal service providers who prioritise digital-first experiences.
How Amiqus can help
If you’re looking to enhance and streamline your client onboarding process, Amiqus offers a comprehensive solution tailored to the needs of Scottish law firms. As strategic partners with the Law Society of Scotland, we refine our product in consultation with them, ensuring it meets the latest regulations and the needs of members.
Amiqus helps you ensure compliance with AML regulations and LSAG guidance, so you operate securely and with confidence.
Amiqus seeks to support you by offering digital solutions backed by deep subject-matter expertise from an ex-regulator and AML expert—all to help you meet and record key AML obligations from a single, secure, and easy-to-use platform.
We offer a free consultation with no obligation, just an opportunity to discuss your current processes and explore whether Amiqus is the right fit for your firm. Book a call today.
In 2025, digital client onboarding will be more than a trend—it will be a competitive advantage. Don’t get left behind. With Amiqus, you can take the first step toward a smarter, more efficient future for your firm.
