Our Professional Journey

Giles Watson has been supporting law practices implement effective, efficient, compliant management systems, including AML arrangements, for more than 20 years.

He was manager of the Queensland Law Society’s Practice Management Course, and authored many practice management guidance documents. He co-authored (with Matt Dunn) the original Law Council of Australia’s Guide to Anti-Money Laundering in 2009, and sat on the LCA committee advising practitioners of the anticipated AML changes.

Before joining Queensland Law Society in 2006, he was manager of Lexcel, the Law Society of England and Wales’ legal practice management quality mark. This work included advising and supporting practitioners in meeting their anti-money laundering compliance requirements, which were an integral part of the quality scheme.

Giles continues to mark PMC assessments for the Queensland Law Society, has presented on costs communication on the QUT legal practice course, and also teaches postgraduate classes at Kaplan Business School.

Qualifications & Affiliations: MBA (Distinction), MA in Marketing (Distinction), Certificate IV in Training & Assessment, Member of the Customer Service Institute of Australia and Accredited in Hogan Assessments.

Giles Watson  

AML Compliance Specialist

Proven Legal Sector Experience

With over 20 years supporting law practices, we deliver practical guidance in practice management and AML compliance, tailored and aligned with regulatory expectations.

Practical AML Solutions

We design clear, workable compliance frameworks that protect your firm without adding unnecessary complexity-policies, risk assessments, training, & ongoing support.

Independent & Trusted Advice

You can expect confidential, conflict-free guidance, transparent scope, and professional standards focused on strengthening your firm for the long term.

Specific New Regulatory Obligations

Under the new laws, your practice will need to:

  • Assess how risky your clients are by conducting due diligence on them and their related businesses to determine who their beneficial owners are, particularly where there are high-risk transactions
  • Undertake due diligence on your employees
  • Nominate someone in your firm to be your AML/CTF Compliance Officer
  • Put in place an AML/CTF Risk Awareness training program
  • Put in place an AML/CTF Program
  • Provide reporting to AUSTRAC on your compliance
  • Report anything suspicious to AUSTRAC
  • Have an independent party review your AML/CTF Program

Jaeden Higgins

Reliable, responsive, and highly experienced -we trust his guidance for all practice management and compliance matters.