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Preparing for the SRA’s AML and sanctions questionnaire: What you need to know
09 June, 2025
From July 2025, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will begin collecting data from law firms that fall within the scope of the Money Laundering Regulations 2017.
The data you submit will help shape the SRA’s supervisory priorities and inspection activity. Firms should treat this as an important regulatory obligation. Preparing early means less stress, fewer errors and a more accurate return.
What is the SRA asking for?
The SRA’s questionnaire covers:
- Work within the scope of the Money Laundering Regulations – including your AML policies, procedures and controls
- Contact with the UK sanctions regime – including any dealings with designated persons
- Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) submitted to the National Crime Agency
- The number of politically exposed persons (PEPs) and sanctions matches identified
- The number of high-risk clients or matters across your firm
Even if your firm has nothing to report, you must still submit a nil return. Only authorised individuals, such as your COLP, MLRO, MLCO or an authorised signatory, can submit the return via mySRA.
The SRA has already published the sample questionnaire and guidance and FAQs. Reviewing these now will help you avoid surprises later.
Don’t leave it until the last minute
Here are a few steps you can take now:
- Download the SRA’s sample questionnaire and review what’s required
- Check your internal records to ensure your data is complete and accurate
- Review any potential nil returns carefully
- Test your mySRA access and two-factor authentication, especially if someone new will be submitting
How First AML can support your firm
At First AML, we help law firms simplify their AML processes and reduce time spent on manual admin. Our platform makes it easy to pull the data you need to complete the SRA questionnaire.
With First AML, you can:
- Track and report on PEPs and sanctions matches across your client base
- Identify and export reports of high-risk clients or matters, high-risk jurisdictions, etc.
- Complete and review client and matter risk assessments, with a clear audit trail and version history for every decision.
About First AML
First AML comes from the perspective of both a technology provider, but also as compliance professionals. Prior to releasing, First AML’s all-in-one AML workflow platform, we processed over 2,000,000 AML cases ourselves. Understanding the acute problem that faces firms these days as they try to scale their own AML, is in our DNA.
That's why First AML now powers thousands of compliance experts around the globe to reduce the time and cost burden of complex and international entity KYC. Source stands out as a leading solution for organisations with complex or international onboarding needs. It provides streamlined collaboration and ensures uniformity in all AML practices.
Keen to find out more? Book a demo today!