Risk and Practice Management
Client ID
Educate yourself and your staff on the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society’s “Client Identification and Verification Regulation 4.5”
Regulation 4.5 requires that you keep records of the identification of all clients. As well, when financial transactions are involved, subject to a few exceptions, you have to verify the identification of the client and keep that information on file. What you need to obtain from the client by way of identification and verification and maintain on record is set out in the regulation.
A Sample Verification Agreement, for use when you are retaining an agent to verify the identity of a client, where the client is not in Canada and is not instructing you face to face, can be found on the page linked above.
Remember that it is a sample form only, provided to you to assist in your practice. You should modify the document to reflect the facts and agreements in each situation.