PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LAW SOCIETY OF NORTHERN IRELAND

Enhancing Compliance & Identity Verification for Legal Professionals

This partnership aligns with the Law Society’s strategic objectives to enhance member practices and safeguard against compliance risks.

Introduction to Digital Identity with SureCert

Introduction

The legal profession is increasingly challenged by the need to maintain efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, and mitigate risks associated with identity fraud during client onboarding and Know Your Customer (KYC) processes.

To address these issues, the Law Society of Northern Ireland has the opportunity to collaborate with locally based SureCert, a provider of advanced digital identity verification solutions, on a pilot designed for solicitors.

What is Digital Identity?

Digital identity is the electronic representation of an individual’s identity, used to verify who they are online or in digital interactions. For the legal profession, it simplifies processes such as client onboarding, Know Your Customer (KYC) compliance and even corporate identity verification by verifying identities using advanced technologies like biometrics, document verification and encryption, as well as relying on sources of truth for proof of address and fraud risk from traditional sources, such as Experian.

This ensures efficiency and consistency of approach, reduces fraud risks and supports adherence to legal standards whilst maintaining client and regulator trust – and confidentiality. It also provides a quicker and more attractive user experience for clients.

Who is SureCert

SureCert is a digital identity company specialising in innovative document verification and identity authentication solutions tailored to streamline and secure processes across various sectors, especially the public sector and regulated industries.

With a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) – powered technology, SureCert offers advanced tools that validate identities, confirm addresses, verify entitlements and checks for fraud flags, making it easier for organisations to meet (and prove through audit) compliance standards and reduce administrative burdens.

SureCert has a proven track record in digital identity verification being Northern Ireland Government’s digital identity provider for citizen access to services through NI Direct, which includes legal aid applications.

Over 80% of Northern Ireland’s adult population have been verified using its technologies. SureCert is the first digital identity organisation to automate additional Identity documents, such as Birth Certificates and Bank Statements.

Finally, SureCert is also the Identity and Corporate fraud provider to Invest NI and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council and is the digital identity policy advisor to the Government of Thailand.

How it Works

Solicitors invite clients onto SureCert’s online identity verification platform via an email. Clients are then guided through the key stages of a digital identity check, which includes:

Identity Verification

The client provides their name, address, and date of birth for initial verification. These details are checked against trusted data sources such as Experian to validate identity information from a wide range of trusted sources.

Document Submission

The client uploads a photo of their Driving Licence or Passport (all globally accepted documents supported). AI algorithms cross-check the personal details with the document for accuracy and fraud detection.

Liveness Check

To ensure the client is physically present, they take a selfie and complete a liveness check. AI technology matches the selfie to the ID document to confirm identity and prevent impersonation fraud.

ID Check Complete in c.6 Seconds

Once the check has been submitted, SureCert’s digital identity solution can verify the client’s information within approximately six seconds. This rapid verification process enhances efficiency by minimising manual intervention and optimising the client onboarding experience.

Enhanced Checks

Additional fraud detection measures provide further security, including proof of funds check, email & phone risk scoring, global sanctions & PEP checks, adverse financial, adverse media & company checks. SureCert’s LastMile solution automates non-core document verification, ensuring a thorough and reliable process.

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Alignment with the
Law Society’s Objectives

This partnership aligns with the Law Society of Northern Ireland’s strategic objectives to enhance member practices and safeguard against compliance risks. It supports the Law Society’s commitment to:

Innovation: Introducing technology to enhance legal practice.
Member Support: Providing tools that support operational efficiency and regulatory adherence.
Public Safeguards: Protecting against fraud and promoting equitable access to legal services.

Trusted Excellence

Key Benefits to Members

Efficiency Improvements

Streamlines identity verification processes, reducing reliance on manual checks and providing a positive user experience for the client; and

Enables client verification in under six seconds, optimising workflow efficiency.

Regulatory Compliance

Adheres to GDPR, UK Government digital ID best practice framework, AML), and KYC regulations through the application of highly advanced AI-powered tools; and

Provides comprehensive audit trails for regulatory reporting.

Fraud Prevention

Incorporates advanced fraud detection measures to identify document forgery and identity theft in a consistent way, eliminating human error; and

Reduces risks to solicitors and their clients.

Inclusive Verification

Supports verification for individuals without traditional forms of identification, promoting equitable access; and

Strengthens client trust through inclusive service delivery.

Leadership in Innovation

Positions participating solicitors as confident and safe adopters of technological advancements that have already been proven at scale; and

Reinforces the Law Society’s role as a proponent of modernised legal practices.

Pilot Programme Structure

Participating members of the Law Society will agree the extent of the checks required and gain early access to SureCert’s range of checks. Feedback gathered during the pilot will inform further refinement of the solution, ensuring it meets the specific requirements of the legal sector in Northern Ireland.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

Utilise cutting-edge digital verification tools;
Contribute to advancements in fraud prevention and compliance;
Be recognised as leaders in adopting innovative practices; and
Increase client satisfaction at the same time as saving time, reducing cost and increasing the quality of their Know Your Client (KYC) processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions?

📧 Contact fergus.mcgrath@surecert.com
📞 Call +44 (0) 7912 777 717

Register your Interest Today