In which circumstances might lawyers, notary publics, other legal stakeholders and independent legal auditors be...

Under Federal Law No. 20 of 2018 and CISI UAE Financial Rules and Regulations, lawyers, notary publics, and other legal professionals may be exempt from suspicious transaction reporting requirements when providing legal opinions related to legal proceedings. This exemption recognizes the privileged nature of legal advice and the confidentiality inherent in legal representation. However, when these professionals engage in financial or transactional activities outside the scope of legal proceedings, such as advising on financial transactions or real estate deals, they must comply with reporting obligations to prevent money laundering. The exemption balances legal professional privilege with AML/CTF requirements.