Oman

CENTRAL AUTHORITY FOR REPORTING

General Directorate of Criminal Investigations of the Royal Oman Police and Central Bank of Oman

ARE LAWYERS COVERED BY MONEY LAUNDERING LEGISLATION?

Yes

NAME LAWS REGARDING ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROCEDURES

Royal Decree 34/2002 Issuing the Law of Money Laundering

IN ADDITION TO THESE LAWS, IS THERE ANY MONEY LAUNDERING GUIDANCE FOR LAWYERS CURRENTLY IN PLACE?

UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES IS A LAWYER UNDER THE OBLIGATION TO REPORT?

The legislation does not establish a specific test or trigger. Suspicion of money laundering is regarded as the in-practice trigger.

LAWYER RESPONSIBILITY/LIABILITY

A lawyer is responsible for properly identifying clients, verifying their addresses and establishing internal control arrangements; in terms of liability, aiding and abetting the commission of a money laundering offence is treated as equivalent to the original offence

CLIENTS IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION

Yes, to properly identify clients and verify addresses, and retain the records for 10 years

LAWYERS PROSECUTED FOR MONEY LAUNDERING OFFENCES

Not known. Understood but not confirmed that no lawyers have been prosecuted to date.

Information provided by:

Trowers & Hamlins
Name: Andrew Rae
Email: trowers@omantel.net.om