{"id":8120,"date":"2024-02-01T16:18:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-01T21:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dyedurham.ca\/?p=8120"},"modified":"2024-02-05T10:13:16","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T15:13:16","slug":"virtual-verification-with-authentication-for-canadian-legal-professionals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dyedurham.ca\/fr\/virtual-verification-with-authentication-for-canadian-legal-professionals\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual ID Verification with Authentication: The Canadian Lawyer\u2019s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Digital ID Verification<\/h3>\n

Legal professionals are required to have comprehensive KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) procedures in place to manage risks and prevent involvement in fraudulent activities. Failure to comply may result in data, financial and reputational losses that may be difficult to recover from. As part of this process, lawyers and paralegals must verify the identity of their clients whenever they are retained to provide legal services and will engage in or give instructions regarding the receipt, payment, or transfer of funds.<\/p>\n

Verifying identity means looking at the documents, data, and information to confirm the client is who they say they are and that the documents relied on for verification are authentic, valid, and current. The Law Society has established comprehensive guidelines regarding\u00a0client identification requirements<\/a>\u00a0built around six main elements: identification, verification, source of funds, monitoring, record keeping, and withdrawal. Additionally, there are a number of\u00a0acceptable methods<\/a>\u00a0to verify a client’s identity, including in-person or virtual verification.<\/p>\n

.<\/span><\/p>\n

Virtual ID Verification with Authentication<\/h3>\n

Virtual identity verification using digital platforms like video conferencing technology was permitted and became popular during the COVID-19 pandemic due to movement restrictions and the resultant shift towards remote working methods.<\/p>\n

The Federation of Law Societies has issued new guidance regarding virtual ID verification using authentication technology<\/a>. From 2024, lawyers and paralegals who use video conferencing or other virtual means to verify a client’s identity must have a way to authenticate the person’s government-issued photo ID. Confirming identity solely by viewing the individual and their ID through virtual means \u2500 a temporary measure implemented during the pandemic \u2500 will no longer be acceptable beyond January 31, 2024.<\/p>\n

So, what exactly does authentication involve?<\/p>\n

Authentication requires that lawyers and paralegals use a process or method to determine whether an individual’s government-issued photo identification document is authentic and genuine. There are two steps for virtual verification and authentication:<\/p>\n

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  1. Asking the individual to scan their government-issued photo identification document using the camera on their mobile phone or electronic device\u00a0and;
    \n<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. Using technology to compare the features of the government-issued photo identification document against known characteristics (e.g., size, texture) and security features (e.g., holograms, barcodes) or markers (e.g., logos, symbols).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    .<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Which Authentication Technology Is Right for Me?<\/h3>\n

    The Law Societies of Ontario and Alberta have recommended some digital ID verification partners<\/a> that legal professionals may consider. However, the prospect of additional sign-up costs and the learning curve associated with new platforms can be daunting.<\/p>\n

    Thankfully, with Unity\u00ae Practice Management, you already have access to the digital ID verification with authentication tools you need to go above and beyond the regulations in each region.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Unity\u00ae Practice Management <\/strong><\/h3>\n

    \"Virtual\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Canada\u2019s leading practice management platform, Unity Practice Management, is currently the only platform in Canada that provides:<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n