Each edition brings you the latest updates, practical tips, and expert insights to ensure your success every step of the way.

This month's update brings a fully redesigned course for MLROs and MLCOs, two new compliance webinars, and a suite of updates to our Anti-Money Laundering Policies & Precedents – all reflecting the latest regulatory developments.

We're proud to be working with Professor Stephen Mayson in our fully redesigned Ethics for Legal Practice course.

We are currently undertaking a full realignment of our template policy library for law firms in England and Wales. This note sets out what is changing and why.

What we are doing

We are reviewing and redrafting every policy in the library to ensure it is legally accurate, up to date with current legislation and regulatory requirements, and structured so it works as a clean, standalone compliance document. Where legislation has been laid but is not yet in force, it is noted as pending rather than presented as a current obligation.

What is changing in the documents

Policies are being restructured into a consistent format with a clear focus on obligations, procedures and the regulatory framework that underpins them. Guidance on how to customise each policy will be provided as comments within the Word document template itself. Background and explanatory material that sits outside the core policy obligations will be removed from the main document body, making policies clearer and easier for staff to navigate.

What this means for your firm

Policies will be shorter and more focused. Every obligation is stated clearly, with named roles and timescales where required. Documents will be easier to update and it will be clear where customisation is required. Existing supporting documents will continue to be available and will be reviewed later in 2026.

Timing

Updated policies are being released on a rolling basis through 2026. Where a policy has been updated, the version number and review date will reflect the current release. Firms should replace earlier versions on issue. Questions about specific policies or the update programme can be directed to your usual contact.

All individuals or entities that interact with HMRC on behalf of clients for payment must register as a tax adviser from 18 May 2026. Under HMRC's definition, if you interact with HMRC about someone else's tax affairs and are paid to do so, you are considered a tax adviser and will need to register for an agent services account.

Relevant interactions include correspondence by phone, post or email, using the GOV.UK website or HMRC app, and submitting returns, claims or other documents. Individual employees do not need to register separately – registration is required at the legal entity level. Registration is required even if you do not describe your work as tax advice, work as a registered sole trader, or only deal with HMRC on behalf of a single client.

Access Legal will be updating its Terms of Business template in early May to reflect this new requirement.

From 19 June 2026, changes introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 place a new statutory obligation on organisations to have a clear and effective process for handling data protection complaints.

To help firms prepare, Access Legal will release a draft Data Protection Complaints Handling Procedure into our Policies and Precedents for Law Firms library as part of our 28 May release.
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Although the new complaints requirement doesn't come into force until 19 June 2026, it is advisable to prepare for it in advance.
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View release notes >

Join our monthly webinars featuring industry specialists to help you get more from your software, stay compliant and keep pace with a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.

Each month, we round up the latest webinars and on-demand recordings - browse the full list below.

Subscribe our Access Legal Compliance Helpline? Then you need to know our new, direct, Compliance Helpline phone number!

From 1st May 2026 you can call our Compliance Helpline on 01753 610200.

or you can continue to email your queries to [email protected].

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (UK) (excluding UK bank holidays). Please note that calls made outside of our opening hours will be dealt with when the helpline reopens.

If you have any questions regarding this change or are unsure whether your query is suitable for the Compliance Helpline, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence continues to reshape the UK legal sector, with the last twelve months bringing a surge of regulatory activity, professional guidance, and sector wide debate. AI is now firmly embedded in daily legal workflows, prompting regulators, insurers, and professional bodies to sharpen expectations around transparency, accountability, and good governance.

In this article, Jack Brown, Risk and Compliance Associate, explores how your firm can prepare. Read now >