---

name: efirm-client-intake-form
description: Use when a law firm needs to open a new client file — the skill generates a tailored intake form, captures identity and entity information, collects opposing-party details for conflict checking, triggers AML/sanctions screening, and fires the downstream engagement workflow. Covers KSA Bar, UAE MOJ, Lebanon Bar, and DIFC/ADGM SRO compliance requirements. This is the gateway step to all subsequent matter-creation and engagement work.
license: MIT
metadata:
id: efirm.client-intake-form
category: efirm
jurisdictions: [KSA, UAE, LB, DIFC, ADGM, multi]
priority: P1
intent: [intake, onboarding, AML, KYC, conflict-check, engagement]
related:
- efirm-conflict-check
- efirm-engagement-letter-draft
- efirm-matter-creation-flow
- efirm-fee-quote-builder
source: Louis — HAQQ Legal AI (github.com/sboghossian/mini-claude-for-legal)
version: "1.0"

Client Intake Form

When to use this

Use this skill when:

• A new prospective client contacts the firm and a formal matter file needs to be opened.
• An existing client brings a new matter with new counterparties not previously in the system.
• A client's ownership structure has changed (new UBOs) and KYC refresh is required.
• The firm is onboarding a client referred from another jurisdiction and needs jurisdiction-specific intake fields.

The intake form is the mandatory first step before any substantive legal work begins. It triggers the conflict check, AML screening, and engagement letter workflow — none of which can be completed without the intake data.

Required fields

Section 1: Individual client identity

Field	Why required	Notes
Full legal name	Conflict check; engagement letter	As on passport/ID
Date of birth	Identity verification; AML
Nationality	Regulatory; restrictions may apply
National ID / Passport number	KYC; identity verification
Residential address	Engagement letter; service of process
Contact details (phone, email)	Communication
PEP status (Politically Exposed Person)	AML obligation	Self-declaration + screening
Source of funds (matter payment)	AML obligation	Required in all MENA and UK/EU jurisdictions

Section 2: Entity client identity

Field	Why required	Notes
Legal name of entity	Conflict check; engagement
Jurisdiction of incorporation	Regulatory; governing law
Commercial registration number (CR)	Identity; KSA/UAE required
Registered address	Engagement letter
Ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs)	AML — 25% threshold standard	Each UBO must complete individual section
Authorised signatory	Engagement letter execution	Must provide authorization document
Corporate structure chart	AML; complex structures	Required if >2 holding tiers
Entity type	Company / Foundation / Trust / Partnership	Affects AML obligations

Section 3: Matter description

Field	Notes
Short matter title	Descriptive; used for matter record
Matter type	Corporate / Dispute / IP / Employment / Regulatory / Personal
Brief factual description	Key facts; counterparties; jurisdiction
Urgency level	Standard / Urgent / Emergency
Estimated duration	Client expectation; resource planning

Section 4: Opposing parties (conflict check inputs)

Field	Notes
Opposing party names (all)	Every adverse party, their counsel if known
Corporate groups / parents	Conflict checks must reach parent company
UBOs of opposing entities (if known)	Issue conflicts possible even if entities differ
Witnesses / key third parties	Where positional conflicts may arise

Section 5: Payment and AML

Field	Notes
Paying party (if different from client)	Common in cross-border matters; AML checks apply
Source of funds	Earned income / sale proceeds / loan / inheritance / other
Expected payment currency	USD / AED / SAR / LBP / EUR / other
Retainer amount required	Linked to fee quote
Payment method	Bank transfer / cheque / other (no cash above thresholds)

Section 6: Engagement scope and acknowledgments

Field	Notes
Scope of engagement	What the firm is being retained to do
Out-of-scope items (explicit)	Prevents scope creep disputes
Fee structure acknowledgment	Client confirms understanding of fee basis
Conflict waiver (if applicable)	If a conflict exists and is being waived
Marketing preferences	Opt-in/out of firm updates
Governing jurisdiction for engagement	For multi-jurisdictional clients

Auto-triggered downstream actions

On submission of a complete intake form, the following actions are triggered automatically:

1. [[efirm-conflict-check]] — runs against all parties listed in Sections 1–4.
2. Sanctions screening — screens all parties against OFAC, EU, UN, DFSA, and relevant national lists.
3. Beneficial ownership lookup — verifies UBO data against commercial registry records where available.
4. PEP screening — cross-references politically exposed person lists.
5. AML risk scoring — generates a risk classification (low / medium / high / declined) based on entity type, jurisdiction, matter type, and source of funds.
6. [[efirm-engagement-letter-draft]] — pre-populated with data from this form; routed to responsible partner for review.

If any of (1)–(5) returns a flag, the intake is held for partner review before the engagement letter is generated.

Jurisdiction-specific compliance notes

Jurisdiction	Key requirements
KSA	Saudi Bar Association requires licensed attorney to certify client identity; foreign clients require Saudi sponsor/agent identification; Zakat/VAT number for corporate clients
UAE (onshore)	Anti-Money Laundering Law (Federal Law No. 20 of 2018) applies to lawyers; DNFBP (designated non-financial business and profession) obligations include CDD and suspicious transaction reporting
DIFC	DFSA Rulebook and DIFC Anti-Money Laundering Law apply; AML Officer appointment required for firms meeting threshold; enhanced due diligence for PEPs and high-risk jurisdictions
ADGM	FSRA rules and ADGM AML regulations; similar to DIFC in rigor
Lebanon	Law No. 44/2015 on AML; Beirut Bar Association KYC guidelines; heightened vigilance given FATF grey-list periods
France	Loi Sapin II transparency obligations for certain entities; Conseil National des Barreaux rules on client identification; TRACFIN reporting
UK	Solicitors Regulation Authority AML guidance; full source-of-funds verification required; "verify, not rely" standard

Common mistakes

• Incomplete UBO identification: firms often stop at the first layer of corporate ownership. A three-tier holding structure with a BVI parent may ultimately be owned by a sanctioned individual. Go to the natural-person beneficial owner.
• No source of funds for retainer: collecting a retainer without a source-of-funds declaration is an AML compliance gap in virtually every jurisdiction covered.
• Cash retainers: do not accept cash retainers above applicable thresholds (USD 3,000 in many MENA markets; lower thresholds in EU/UK).
• Inadequate PEP screening: "PEP" includes family members and close associates, not just the individual — the scope is wider than most intake forms capture.
• Skipping entity intake for single-member LLCs: a sole-owner LLC is functionally the same as an individual for AML purposes; apply both sections.

Related skills

• [[efirm-conflict-check]]
• [[efirm-engagement-letter-draft]]
• [[efirm-matter-creation-flow]]
• [[efirm-fee-quote-builder]]
• [[research-sanctions-screening]]