UK issues new Legal Services general licence, amends FAQs

24 April 2026

The UK has published GL INT/2026/9512597, which replaces and amends the previous Legal Services GL which will expire on 28 April 2026.

The new licence will come into force on 29 April 2026 and is due to expire on 28 October 2026. It amends the previous Legal Services GL introduces the term “DP Group” as a defined term, which means a person designated by a UK asset freeze together with any entities owned or controlled by the DP. The GL now provides that:

• A DP or its owned or controlled entities may pay legal fees for that DP or another entity within that DP Group.

• The Licence fee and expenses cap apply to all matters that a Law Firm or Counsel handle for individuals and entities within a DP group.

The new licence also permits payments to non-UK bank accounts held by a person regulated by the SRA, the Scottish Law Society, or the Law Society of Northern Ireland who provides legal services outside the UK. See FAQ 184 for more information.

OFSI withdrew FAQ 170 and amended FAQs 50 and 57 to reflect the introduction of the DP Group term.