Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, identity verification (IDV) is now becoming mandatory for certain Companies House filings.
Legal Responsibilities for Solicitors
As a legal professional filing documents that contain IDV confirmations:
- You should understand your duty under the basic offence provision (section 1112 CA 2006) - it is an offence to deliver misleading or false information without reasonable excuse.
- Verify the identity information provided to you and exercise professional judgment.
- Make reasonable enquiries if you have doubts about the accuracy of the details provided.
- Consider what evidence or steps are appropriate to support your reasonable excuse if the information later proves incorrect.
The Law Society confirms:
- Directors & PSCs may need verified ID
- Personal codes may be required
- Names must match verified records
- False filings can lead to criminal liability
- Law firms must keep full compliance records
For full guidance on confirming identity verification to Companies House as a solicitor, see The Law Society’s guide: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/anti-money-laundering/confirming-identity-verification-companies-house (The Law Society)
At RakLAW Solicitors, we ensure your filings meet the new legal standards.