FIC revises annual RMCP deadlines in final Directive 12
The affected institutions face October deadlines, while the consultation feedback provides guidance on how the requirement applies in practice.
#legalpractitioners
Why did one law firm get 90% of RAF Corporate Panel work?
An arrangement intended to cost R10m for 10 months ran for years, absorbed R26.6m in seven months, and included claims work outside its scope.
RAF’s 25% contingency-fee cap under scrutiny
SCOPA says linking attorneys’ success fees to claim values may create incentives to inflate claims, while billions in legal costs flow through a small group of firms.
FIC flags filing errors as RCR deadline closes
Many institutions have left registration too late, submitted the wrong documents, or filed branch returns instead of consolidated legal entity returns.
FIC proposes annual RMCP submissions for selected institutions
The draft directive will introduce a new recurring compliance obligation, with updated programmes also having to be lodged within 10 business days of approval.
FIC clarifies geographic reporting rules in final Directive 10
The Centre has refined the directive’s scope and addressed concerns over its legal basis, administrative burden, and practical application.
FIC warns of penalties after poor RCR compliance
Less than half of the first group of accountable institutions had submitted their returns by mid-July, while submissions from the second group are low.
RCR compliance falls short as June deadline looms
The FIC says fewer than 12% of accountable institutions facing the first filing deadline had submitted their returns by the middle of this month.
FIC finalises guidance on how to complete the 2026 RCR
PCC 60 largely preserves the draft framework but clarifies how newly registered firms must report and confirms that third parties may not submit returns.
FIC opens portal for submission of risk and compliance returns
The specified accountable institutions have until 30 June or 31 July to complete and submit their RCRs.
FIC cannot rely on pre-2022 non-compliance in attorney sanctions, High Court finds
Penalties cannot be based on periods before the FIC assumed supervisory authority, and remediation must be fully considered when imposing sanctions.
FIC invites comment on proposed risk and compliance returns
The draft directive requires certain accountable institutions to submit RCR questionnaires covering information from 2023 to 2026.
FIC demands full RCR compliance to aid exit from the grey list
The Financial Intelligence Centre issues a stern reminder to designated non-financial entities – particularly legal practitioners and estate agents – to file their overdue risk and compliance returns.
FIC cracks down on RCR defaulters: R10 000 fine today, bigger sanctions tomorrow
Accountable institutions that did not pay the smaller fine or remediate their non-compliance now face harsher penalties.
R7.7m fine stands as FIC Appeal Board rules against law firm
The firm of attorneys said its non-compliance was not intentional and was the result of a lack of awareness.
Legal practitioners reminded to comply with the Financial Intelligence Centre Act
The Financial Intelligence Centre sets out legal practitioners’ obligations under the FIC Act.
Businesses that don’t submit RCRs face ‘targeted’ inspections or fines
Non-compliant accountable institutions are hindering efforts to get South Africa off the grey list, says the Financial Intelligence Centre.
