Appointment of Dharmila Bhanji as Risk, Compliance and Investigations Officer and Deputy Chief Clerk

“The Faculty Office is pleased to announce the appointment of Dharmila Bhanji as Risk, Compliance and Investigations Officer and Deputy Chief Clerk.

Dharmila’s background is in compliance and enforcement. Over the last five years, she has issued a broad range of consent orders and instigated disciplinary proceedings involving breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations.

Her experience includes providing guidance on regulatory requirements and investigating complaints of misconduct relating to accountancy service providers and chartered surveyors. 

Previously, Dharmila managed operations within the dispute resolution service at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, where she appointed experts on commercial property disputes.

Her role will be to help conduct:

•          the regulation and administration of the notarial profession (the Master of the Faculties, acting through the Faculty Office, is the Approved Regulator for all notaries in England and Wales and in certain overseas jurisdictions), including, qualification, admission, complaints and discipline, with a particular focus risk and compliance within the regulatory framework of the Faculty Office in furtherance of the Legal Services Act 2007 and best regulatory practice, including relations with the Legal Services Board, Legal Ombudsman, Ministry of Justice and other regulatory bodies

•          the supervision of the notarial profession in relation to the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Regulations 2017 (the Faculty Office is the designated Professional Body Supervisor for notaries in England and Wales), including relations with the Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision, HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs.”