Important update to all regulated firms: UKFIU guidance library

Delete all previous guidance and refer to this best practice information.

The UK Financial intelligence Unit (UKFIU) have published New SARS Best Practice Guidance. Here it is:

Chapter 1: Using the SAR Portal

Chapter 2: Submitting a SAR

Chapter 3: Understanding DAMLs and DATFs

What it means for AML regulated firms

• The above guidance replaces all previous guidance, which has now been withdrawn and should be disregarded.
• Please delete all previous versions of the guidance from your internal systems and platforms to avoid any confusion and ensure your internal policies and procedures are amended to reflect the new guidance.
• If you have staff members, ensure that they are aware of it and that they familiarise themselves with this new guidance.

The UKFIU reminds us that it is essential to keep the main party contact details up to date on the SAR Portal. The SAR Portal allows users to update personal and organisational contact information via the ‘Account Settings’ section, in the top right-hand corner of the SAR Portal home page.

• The recently updated UKFIU library gives you an access to SARs In Action magazines, podcasts and reporter booklets in one place.
• We shared UKFIU’s short videos in our article Suspicious Activity Report best practice videos.

We strongly encourage you to review these and use them as part of your internal anti money laundering (AML) training. This is to ensure that you and your relevant employees keep your AML and Terrorist Financing knowledge up-to-date.

Do not forget to keep a written record of your ongoing continued professional development in AML.

Future of the AML supervision

On 21 October 2025, the Government confirmed that the AML supervision for accountancy, legal and Trust and Company Service Provider sectors will move to a single professional services supervisor (SPSS), specifically the Financial Conduct Authority.

While this is a big shift, implementation is likely to take years. In the meantime, AAT will continue as the AML supervisor for eligible licensed members and carry out our normal responsibilities, including Practice Assurance Reviews and risk assessment activities. Therefore, our licensed members must ensure full compliance with the MLR 2017. Find more on the consultation response here.

Further guidance and support on risk management and other components of Money Laundering Regulations compliance is available on our AML webpage. You can also contact us on +44 (0)20 7367 1347 or via email at [email protected].

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