A UK resident and naturalised Brit was denied entry to their will-writing appointment unexpectedly due to their place of birth being listed as Russia. The person moved to the UK as a minor and gave up their Russian citizenship in 1999. Most recently, they reached out with their Co-op to re-write their will. The couple’s updated plan was to leave their retirement assets to their partner and daughter. Unlike some others mentioned, neither of them has specific ties to Russia.
Co-op advocates told the newbie their first meeting had been called off. The cause of their sudden disappearance? Their Russian place of birth. In response to this decision doubts were raised. As mentioned, UK government guidance has explicitly stated that people who are not listed under a sanctions regime, or linked to someone who is, should not be subjected to blocks on access to financial and legal services.
Co-op officials quickly walked back their position. They disclosed that they had obtained “specialist legal advice” dissuading them from delivering services to anyone born in Russia, even if individuals have since changed citizenship or severed ties with the country. Upon realizing the mix-up, the Co-op rebooked the individual’s appointment for the following day after confirming that they had no connections to Russia or any Russian assets.
The person possesses British and German citizenship. They raised alarm over the fact that their place of birth determines their access to vital legal services.
“If breached, the Russia regulations hold serious consequences for a business and those it employs. We therefore must carry out the correct due diligence to ensure we comply with these rules.” – The Co-op
This message makes clear that there will be harsh punishment for breaking the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations. Improvement From the Current Law Offenders would be subject to incarceration for up to seven years. The Co-op’s position is an example of a very risk-averse, go-beyond compliant approach, as they walk the tightrope of consulting international rules.
In order to proceed with the revised will, the Co-op required evidence of. They demanded some sort of certificate proving that the person had given up their Russian citizenship. This new unnecessary layer of red tape has invited even more query on the trade off between regulatory compliance and customer service.