Summary of the client set-up process

• Lawyer conducts Conflict Check
• Lawyer may wish to ask for precautionary pre-onboarding AML/sanctions checks of a potentially high-risk client.
• Lawyer completes New Client and New Matter set-up process.
• Central Office provides new client/matter reference to the lawyer (provisional pending completion of ID checks).
• Lawyer prepares the Engagement Letter.
• Lawyer issues unsigned Engagement Letter to client and cc'ing to the Clients Team, or electronically via Keyed-In.
• Central Office sends Costs on Account Statement (if appropriate).
• Central Office conducts a further Conflict Check (as part of the New Matter Form).
• Central Office conducts ID checks to comply with Money Laundering Regulations.
• Central Office activates the new client/matter, for invoicing purposes.
• Engagement Letter is countersigned by the client and returned to Central Office (or otherwise agreed).
• Central Office confirms receipt of signed Engagement Letter and Costs on Account (if appropriate). (Note this is typically done via Signable - which is our preferred e-signing platform).
• Work commences.

Hint: Work must not commence until ID checks are complete. Accordingly, Invoices cannot be raised at that time. If ID checks are not completed within 20 days, the client/matter is put on hold, which removes the client/matter from Keyed-In pending completion of the outstanding ID checks.

Hint: You can use Signable to track what Engagement Letters have not been signed. See this note for details.