These requirements apply to all business activities in this division.
compliance
Great_Britain
Ongoing
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 — general duties
Enforced by:
HSE
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
General duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and others affected by the business — office workplaces, client meetings and visitors.
insurance
Great_Britain
Annual
Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance)
Enforced by:
HSE
Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969
Required for any firm employing at least one person.
registration
Uk
Annual
UK GDPR + Data Protection Act 2018
Enforced by:
ICO
Data Protection Act 2018; UK GDPR (retained EU law)
Legal and accounting firms process extensive personal and special-category data (client files, financial records, conflict checks). ICO registration unless specifically exempt; confidentiality obligations sit alongside professional privilege.
compliance
Great_Britain
Ongoing
Equality Act 2010 — protected characteristics
Enforced by:
EHRC
Equality Act 2010
No discrimination, harassment or victimisation in employment or in the provision of professional services to clients.
compliance
England_Wales
Ongoing
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Enforced by:
LOCAL_FIRE_AUTHORITY
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
The 'responsible person' (usually the employer/occupier) must carry out a fire risk assessment and maintain fire safety arrangements for the office workplace. Devolved: Fire (Scotland) Act 2005; Fire and Rescue Services (NI) Order 2006.
registration
Uk
Ongoing
Anti-money-laundering supervision and compliance
Enforced by:
HMRC
Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017
Most legal and accounting firms are 'relevant persons' under the MLR 2017 and must be supervised for AML, carry out customer due diligence, keep records and appoint a nominated officer (MLRO). Supervisor is the firm's professional body where it acts as a supervisor (e.g. SRA for solicitors, ICAEW/ACCA for accountants); HMRC supervises accountancy and tax firms not covered by a professional-body supervisor (HMRC registration carries a fee per premises). Trading without supervision is a criminal offence.