Client Account Compliance Tracing
Helping solicitors evidence “reasonable steps” when clearing historical client balances.
Compliance-focused tracing support aligned with SRA Accounts Rules.
Why This Matters
Under Rule 2.5 of the SRA Accounts Rules, firms must return client money promptly once there is no proper reason to hold it. Where the owner cannot be located, firms are expected to take reasonable steps to trace before releasing funds to charity.
For balances over £500, SRA authority may be required.
Coeus provides documented tracing support to help firms evidence those reasonable steps clearly and defensibly.
How It Works
Send the List
Names, last known details, matter reference and balance amount.
We Trace & Document
Structured, proportionate enquiries aligned to compliance expectations.
Receive a Compliance-Ready Pack
Outcome summary, methodology statement and audit trail suitable for file retention or SRA submission.
Service Tiers
Standard – £95
For straightforward matters where the firm holds good identifying information and contact is expected to be current
Appropriate where the firm holds:
- Full name
- Last known address
- Reasonable contextual information (matter ref / balance history)
- Contact is expected to be current and trace straightforward
Includes:
- Current address verification (where available)
- Basic confirmation checks
- Evidence log suitable for file retention and audit review
- Outcome summary
Best suited to lower-value balances or recent matters where identifiers are clear.
Enhanced – £150
Structured enquiries where additional verification or evidential depth is required.
Appropriate where:
- Identifiers are partial or outdated
- Multiple possible matches exist
- Additional confirmation is required before contact
- Historic movement or linked addresses require clarification
Includes:
- Extended cross-referencing checks
- Broader open-source and registry review
- Strengthened methodology statement
- Clear audit trail aligned to compliance expectations
Suitable where balances are higher, historic, or likely to require stronger documentation.
Complex – £295
Escalated matters requiring enhanced methodology, multi-layer verification, and compliance-ready documentation.
Appropriate where:
- Limited identifying data exists
- Matters are significantly historic
- Multiple linked individuals or addresses must be assessed
- Enhanced evidential defensibility and structured audit documentation are required
Includes:
- Structured escalation enquiries
- Multi-layer verification
- Expanded evidential narrative
- Compliance-ready pack suitable for higher scrutiny scenarios
Best suited to higher-value balances or where SRA authority may be required.
Overseas & Multi-Jurisdiction Matters — Quoted Upon Scope Confirmation
Fees vary depending on jurisdiction, data availability, and local compliance considerations.
Clearing Historical Client Account Balances?
Send your spreadsheet for a same-day estimate and proposed tier split.
Discreet. Proportionate. Fully documented.