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31 October 2025 / Rebecca Hughes
Issue: 8137 / Categories: Opinion , Profession , Regulatory
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A new era for AML supervision

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Ambitious plans to transform the FCA into a super regulator will test the organisation’s capacity & adaptability, but the true test will be in delivery, says Rebecca Hughes

After two years of deliberation, the government has finally published its response to the 2023 consultation on reforming the UK’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) supervisory regime. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been crowned the Single Professional Services Supervisor (SPSS), a surprising outcome for many, not least the professions that will now fall under the FCA’s oversight.

The UK system currently comprises three statutory regulators—the FCA, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Gambling Commission, alongside 22 Professional Body Supervisors (PBSs) overseeing the legal and accountancy sectors. Each PBS is responsible for ensuring that its supervised population complies with the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017 (MLRs).

This structure has long attracted criticism. The 2015 national risk assessment (the UK’s first comprehensive assessment of money laundering and terrorist financing risk) first

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys—James Paterson

Charles Russell Speechlys further bolsters Private Equity expertise with the appointment of James Paterson

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons—Samuel Flower

Ellisons strengthens Rural Affairs team with senior appointment

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley—Carl Hotton

Sidley adds insurance mergers and acquisitions partner to London office

NEWS
A deputy costs judge correctly exercised his discretion to allow late service rather than strike out the point of dispute, the Court of Appeal has held
Prince Harry, Baroness Doreen Lawrence and five others have lost their case against the publisher of the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday and MailOnline, in Various Claimants v Associated Newspapers [2026] EWHC 1637 (KB)
Public confidence in the justice system is being undermined by a lack of accessible, useable data, magistrates have warned
The Sentencing Council has launched draft guidelines for facilitation and endangering another person during a sea crossing to the UK
Government proposals to make independent written legal advice a prerequisite for workplace non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) may prove unworkable, according to a senior employment lawyer
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