Introduction to Anti-Money Laundering Law & Compliance

Introduction to Anti-Money Laundering Law & Compliance: An International and Regional Perspective

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This course caters to law students and legal professionals, offering a comprehensive understanding of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance. The curriculum covers legal principles and practical applications, examining AML from both regional and international perspectives and integrating viewpoints from progressive national legal systems. Beyond theoretical foundations, the course provides practical tips to ensure a strong grasp of this complex subject. Participants are equipped to fulfill professional obligations related to compliance.

Course description

The curriculum integrates viewpoints from progressive national legal systems for detailed examination. Beyond theoretical foundations, the course imparts practical tips to ensure a strong understanding of this complex subject. Participants are equipped to fulfil professional obligations related to compliance.

Compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations presents significant challenges for both regulators and reporting entities. With AML laws spanning various legal and regulatory areas, navigating them can be intricate. While designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs), including legal practitioners, may plead ignorance of the law, such lack of awareness does not serve as a valid excuse for non-compliance with AML laws.

Hence, this comprehensive course is designed for law students and legal practitioners, offering a nuanced exploration of the complex AML landscape. It emphasizes the multifaceted nature of AML compliance, specifically addressing its impact on DNFBPs, focusing exclusively on legal practitioners. The course actively bridges the knowledge gap by stressing the importance of AML regulation understanding, providing a detailed overview to ensure compliance. It establishes connections between AML regulations and the legal profession, delineating the potential roles of legal practitioners in money laundering scenarios and aiming to equip participants with essential knowledge and awareness. Additionally, the course reinforces professional ethics and responsibilities in combating money laundering, offers insights into the current legal framework, and touches on anticipated shifts in the legal and regulatory environment for legal professionals.

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How to apply

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Course level

Master / Advanced / PhD / Beginner

Credits

2 ECTS

Contact hours

Language

English

Tuition fee

€525 - €995

Further course description, study trips and more

The course will incorporate international and regional perspectives, taught by subject matter experts from various regions who will engage participants in seminar-style sessions and working groups to discuss pertinent laws and compliance frameworks. Upon completion of the course, students will possess the requisite knowledge and tools essential for compliance with AML regulations, comprehending the pivotal role such compliance plays within the broader ethical framework of the legal profession. Furthermore, the course aims to prepare students for a career as Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officers, addressing the current shortage in this profession.
Excursions constitute an important component of this course, offering a unique academic experience. Presently, no international court exclusively addresses financial crimes; nevertheless, a discernible trend within international courts indicates a proclivity to integrate explicit mandates with global initiatives combatting money laundering. As part of this enriching program, we will coordinate visits to two prominent courts that have been at the forefront of mainstreaming AML issues: a morning session at the International Criminal Court, including a visit to the Office of the Prosecutor, and an afternoon discussion at the International Court of Justice focusing on the ongoing AML case, Equatorial Guinea v. France.
As an added highlight, one of the course instructors will launch a book on AML compliance in the legal profession, enhancing the scholarly depth of the course.
Forms of tuition and assessment

Students will be taught through Seminars (5 x 3-hour seminars); Working groups ( 4 x 2-hour working groups); Study visits (The Hague: International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court).
The course will be assessed through simulations where students will collaborate in groups to dissect a case study and subsequently present their findings on Day 4.
About the course coordinator

Prosper Simbarashe Maguchu is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist. He is assistant professor of law at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Maguchu is known for staying abreast of developments in the field of AML/CTF. His forthcoming book on AML/CTF compliance is the first textbook on the subject from a global and regional perspectives. He also published an agenda-setting body of work on AML/CTF in peer-reviewed journals as well as several book chapters.
In addition, Maguchu teaches AML/CTF compliance as a guest lecturer at several universities in Africa, Europe and Asia. In the process, he has initiated and developed new course syllabuses on AML/CTF for undergraduate courses and professional bodies.
Learning objectives
By the end of this course students will be able to:
- Understand the structure and nature of international AML law;
- Distinguish different sources of the legal basis for AML compliance;
- Explain the role of legal practitioners in AML compliance;
- Identify the main AML compliance methods; and
- Design AML compliance programs
Preliminary Syllabus

Here you can download the preliminary course syllabus for 2024.
^{*Please note that it is a preliminary syllabus and that it might be subject to some change before the course starts.}