Hook Tangaza

🌍 Supporting AML/CFT Regulatory Capacity in the Legal Sector 🌍 2024 has been incredibly rewarding as we've had the opportunity to support AML/CFT self-regulatory bodies (SRBs) in the legal sectors of Kenya and Nigeria, building on our work that supports regulatory reform in the legal profession globally. These projects have, and will continue to play a crucial role in strengthening the institutional capacity of regulatory entities in those jurisdictions to ensure AML/CFT compliance in the legal profession, which protects the public and preserves trust in the legal system. Recent developments highlight the growing momentum towards stronger, more accountable regulatory frameworks for lawyers. Canada’s FINTRAC Special Bulletin (https://fintrac-canafe.canada. ca/intel/bulletins/legal-juridique-eng) underscores the legal profession’s vulnerability to money laundering & sanctions evasion. Australia’s AML/CTF Amendment Bill 2024 (https://lnkd.in/ehnuv5vg laundering-and-counter-terrorism-financing/anti-money laundering-and-counter-terrorism-financing-amendment bill) has expanded compliance obligations to include lawyers & other professional service providers, while India’s recent FATF mutual evaluation report (https://www.fatf https://lnkd.in/eV9nn_hu 2024.html) stresses the urgency of proactive, risk-based AML/CFT supervision of lawyers. As we reflect on the impact we've had this year, we're already looking ahead to continuing to support regulators & their members in 2025 to meet emerging challenges & maintain rigorous standards that enhance the integrity of the profession & uphold the trust that underpins access to justice and professional competence. #AML #CFT #SRB #RegulatoryReform #LegalSector #Kenya #Nigeria #Compliance #FATF

Thank you for your continued trust and collaboration. We look forward to reconnecting in 2025 with renewed energy, ready to support your goals. Wishing you a joyful holiday season. #HolidayUpdate #FestiveSeason #HookTangaza

🌟 A New Chapter for Hook Tangaza🌟 We want to share that we will no longer be using X (formerly Twitter) as a platform for our communications. This decision stems from a recognition that the prevailing direction, culture and values of the platform do not align with our vision & commitment to contributing to reducing inequalities between individuals, communities, societies, nations - nor with the objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to which we aspire. While we appreciate the connections made and networks built on that platform in the past, we believe it's essential to engage in spaces that reflect our values and foster constructive conversations that bring people together to solve shared challenges and celebrate successes. We will continue to communicate here on Linkedin and other platforms that better resonate with our community, clients and stakeholders. #Communication #CompanyValues #NewBeginnings #SDG16

Hook Tangaza is looking for an experienced Business Operations Manager to join its small but busy team. Are you a seasoned operations professional with a sharp eye for detail and experience in driving operational efficiency preferably in an SME? Do you thrive in dynamic environments where your contributions directly impact company growth? Join our team and be part of a forward-thinking organisation that’s shaping a dynamic and equitable legal landscape.

🔒 Cybersecurity is a Year-Round Priority! 🔒 Last month was #Cybersecurity Month, but the conversation doesn’t stop there - especially for law firms and their clients. As highlighted in this article by our Research & Policy Intern, Eseohe Itua, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting legal practices, making it crucial for them to stay informed and proactive. Check out the key trends and updated strategies to safeguard your firm against cyber threats. Let’s ensure that cybersecurity remains a top priority every day of the year! 👉 https://lnkd.in/eqXFt6Tb #Cybersecurity #LawFirms #OngoingConcern #CyberCrime

With just two days to go to the ACGC Conference 2024, our very own Nankunda Katangaza explains the motivation behind setting-up Africa's largest in-house legal community in partnership with Lareine Gold Consulting (LGCAfrica). "ACGC came about as part of our shared commitment to supporting the professional needs of Africa’s in-house legal community by providing a network, information, resources, training, and other services that support their roles in business and government across the continent. For Hook Tangaza, this is in keeping with our mission of serving as a catalyst for positive change across the legal sector globally." #LegalCommunity #ACGC4B #InHouseLawyers #Networking

Have you registered for the ACGC (African Corporate and Government Counsel Forum) 2024 Conference and Awards? Now in its 6th year, Hook Tangaza co-founded the ACGC, connecting in-house lawyers across sectors, industries and jurisdictions in Africa and beyond - sharing best practice and promoting a culture of innovation amongst its members. Interested in finding out more? There are still tickets available: 🗓 Wed 9th - Fri 11th October 2024 📍Labadi Beach Hotel, Accra, Ghana 🎟 https://lnkd.in/eixiJzxV? Individual membership is free, and connects you to a network of in-house counsel across the continent, supporting professional growth through training and online resources. Learn more >>> https://lnkd.in/eei2Kj72 #Connection #ACGC4B #InHouseLawyers #InHouseCoun https://lnkd.in/e7sger7h

We've come to the end of another spell in Nairobi continuing the regulatory capacity-building work Hook Tangaza has been undertaking for the Law Society of Kenya. This time the focus was on governance and leadership as the LSK embarks on the journey to successfully fulfilling its obligations as a self-regulatory body for anti-money laundering & countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) for the legal sector which came into force on 15th March. Thanks to the Council, the Senior Management Team and the new AML/CFT Steering Committee of the LSK for taking time out of their busy schedules to participate & engage positively with the training sessions and workshops on developing new guidance for the profession and strengthening the leadership structures that will underpin the new regulatory function. As always, a pleasure to work with Lloydette Bai-Marrow, lead trainer on our team. #amlcompliance #amlcft #legalsector #regulation #antimoneylaundering #FATF

So pleased to welcome Sundaram Balasubramanian to the Hook Tangaza team as a Junior Consultant after a three-month internship. With an academic background in law and public policy and management, his areas of interest and focus are public sector research, legal sector regulation, cybersecurity, and tech policy. Welcome on board Sai! #growing

In all the excitement of various elections and football competitions, you may have missed last Thursday's publication of the opinion of the European Court of Justice's Advocate General on whether German rules on the third-party ownership of law firms are in conformity with European law. By way of background, in May 2023, the Bavarian Higher Lawyers’ Court requested a ruling from the European Court of Justice on whether an Austrian company - not owned by lawyers - is entitled to acquire part of the share capital of a law firm operating in Germany. The questions that the Court is addressing are: • whether, when a financial investment involves a certain degree of influence over the management of a law firm, any approval or rejection of the proposed investment must be conducted in the light of wider EU rules and regulations • whether national legislation which restricts the holding of shares in law firms to lawyers and the members of certain professions, and in all cases reserves to lawyers the majority of the share capital and votes, is compatible with EU law. The Court has now reached the first stage of its consideration of these questions, which is the publication of an initial opinion by the appointed Advocate General for the case. In his opinion in the case Halmer ./. Rechtsanwaltskammer München, delivered on July 4, 2024, the Spanish Advocate General Manuel Campos Sanchez-Bordona, states that whilst EU-member states have a broad discretion regarding the regulation of the legal profession and specifically the legal forms of their practice, the imposed restrictions must be consistent with one another and with the public-interest reasons upon which they are based. Therefore, he concludes that the German professional rules that restricted the shareholding rights to certain professions and further require that the shareholder has to pursue a professional activity in the law practice violate Article 15 of the Services Directive (2006/123/EC). This is also the case for the requirement that lawyers have the majority of votes in a capital company. It will be interesting to see whether the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice will follow the opinion of the Advocate General, as is the case in the majority of decisions. If this happens there could be wide reaching implications for a number of EU legal professions. #lawyers #ABS #alternativebusinessstructures #law_firms #legalservices https://lnkd.in/dqDuCXmu