Cockshott Peck Lewis Limited
24 Hoghton Street, Southport
, PR9 0PA
Recognised body
569492
Decision - Prosecution
Outcome: Referral to Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal
Outcome date: 30 January 2024
Published date: 10 July 2024
Firm details
Firm or organisation at date of publication and at time of matters giving rise to outcome
Name: Cockshott Peck Lewis Limited
Address(es): 24 Hoghton Street, Southport PR9 0PA.
Firm ID: 569492
Outcome details
This outcome was reached by SRA decision.
Reasons/basis
This notification relates to a Decision to prosecute before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal. This is an independent Tribunal which will reach its own decision after considering all the evidence, including any evidence put forward by the Respondent(s). The Tribunal has certified that there is a case to answer in respect of allegations which are or include that :-
- As required by Regulation 18 of the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLRs 2017):
- the firm did not have a firm-wide risk assessment (FWRA) between 26 June 2017 and 21 October 2020;
- the firm did have a FWRA between 21 October 2020 and 15 February 2023, which was not compliant with the MLRs 2017.
- Between 26 June 2017 and around November 2022 the firm failed to have in place policies, controls and procedures. As required by Regulation 19 of the MLRs 2017.
- Between 26 June 2017 and 12 January 2022 the firm failed to have in place client and matter risk assessments. As required by Regulations 28(12) and 28(13) of the MLRs 2017.
- The firm failed to take reasonable steps to understand the ownership and control structure of a legal person, trust and or company (or other similar legal structure). In accordance with Regulations 28(4)(b) and (c) of the MLRs 2017.
- Between June 20171 and November 2021, the firm failed to take appropriate measures to ensure that all relevant employees received AML training. In respect of Regulation 24 of the MLRs 2017.
The allegations are subject to a Hearing before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and are as yet unproven.