The New Zealand Law Society has joined the Department of Internal Affairs' Industry Advisory Group (IAG).

The department has established this forum as a communication pathway with representatives of the sectors it supervises under the AML/CFT regime. The Law Society says it welcomes this initiative by the department.

The IAG meets quarterly and was established in August 2019. Members include representatives of peak industry bodies who come together to share knowledge and discuss common AML/CFT compliance challenges facing their sectors. The intention is to develop understanding between the DIA and the supervised sectors and to work together to find constructive solutions.

The forum also provides co-design opportunities on engagement and guidance programmes. Peak industry bodies are able to share general information and updates from the forum with their supervised sectors.

The Law Society says it looks forward to continued engagement in the IAG and the opportunity it provides to assist lawyers with meeting their AML/CFT obligations.

Lawyers are encouraged to provide feedback to the Law Society about specific AML/CFT concerns facing the legal profession via our dedicated email address nzls.aml@lawsociety.org.nz.