Welcome to Shieldpay

Shieldpay is the trusted payments partner for your law firm, appointed to securely manage the disbursement of your compensation. We specialise in handling high-volume, high-value payments in complex matters, ensuring every transaction is compliant, secure, and verified.

If you’ve received an email from us, it’s because your legal representative has instructed Shieldpay to process your payment. This page explains who we are, how the process works, and how we protect your money and personal information.

Is Shieldpay Legitimate?

We understand that receiving an email asking for your bank details can feel suspicious. That’s why we want to be clear about who we are and how we operate.

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as an Authorised Payment Institution – Firm Ref No. 770210

ISO 27001 certified for information security

Rated “Excellent” on Trustpilot

Are exploring ways to future-proof their operations

Shieldpay has processed over £8bn supporting clients with their payment needs

We are not a bank, and we do not lend or invest your money. All funds are held in safeguarded accounts with our partner banks or custodians, meaning your money is protected and cannot be accessed by Shieldpay or any third party for business use.

What Happens Next

Email from Shieldpay

You’ll receive an email from notifications@shieldpay.com with a secure link to complete the necessary steps to receive your payment. Tip: If you don’t see the email, check your spam or junk folder.

Verify your details

You’ll be asked to confirm your identity and provide your bank account details. This helps us ensure the money goes to the correct person and account.

Approval from your law firm

Once your details are verified, we will notify your law firm who will authorise the release of funds.

Payment sent to your account

Payments will be made electronically and securely.

How We Verify You

To comply with UK regulations and prevent financial crime, Shieldpay must conduct sanctions screening and verify ownership of your bank account. This process is quick, secure, and designed to protect you.

We carry out:

Sanction checks to ensure we are legally permitted to process your payment
Bank account verification using Confirmation of Payee (CoP) for UK accounts
Secure document upload for non-UK accounts or where additional bank account verification is needed

Only Shieldpay’s trained verification team can view your details. All data is encrypted and handled in accordance with strict data protection standards.

If your bank details cannot be verified automatically, you will be asked to upload a bank statement securely to our platform. This helps us confirm that the account belongs to you and is suitable for receiving funds.

How We Hold and Protect Your Money

Shieldpay is an Authorised Payment Institution, not a bank. This means:

We won’t lend or invest your money
Your funds are held in designated safeguarded accounts with our partner banks or custodians
Funds are separate from Shieldpay’s working capital and other funds, and are protected in the event of Shieldpay’s insolvency without any right of set-off
We conduct regular external audits to ensure compliance with UK regulations

Shieldpay simply facilitates the secure transfer of funds once all parties are verified and authorised.

Receiving Your Payment

Once your identity and bank details are verified, and your law firm has authorised the payment, Shieldpay will disburse the funds directly to your account.

No fees – Shieldpay does not charge you to receive your money
Electronic payments only – We pay directly into a bank account in your name
Cheques – If you require payment by cheque, please contact your law firm directly
International accounts – Your bank may charge fees for receiving GBP payments. Please check with your bank for details

Please note the time to receive your payment will depend on the successful verification of your account details and the authorisation from the law firm.

About Shieldpay

Is Shieldpay legitimate?

Funds are held in safeguarded accounts with our partner banks or custodians. These accounts are protected from any claims against Shieldpay or its liabilities and are subject to regular external audits.

Is Shieldpay a bank?

No. Shieldpay is an Authorised Payment Institution, not a bank. We do not lend, invest, or use client funds for business operations.

How safe is my money?

What is Shieldpay authorised to do?

Shieldpay is authorised by the FCA to operate payment accounts and execute payment transactions. We do not offer credit or investment services.

Can Shieldpay hold money for general purposes?

No. Shieldpay only holds funds for specific, authorised transactions. We do not offer general holding accounts or savings services.

Verification and Security

What checks do you carry out on me?

We check for sanctions and confirm your bank account details. Additional information may be requested to meet regulatory obligations.

How does Shieldpay verify my bank details?

Verification begins as soon as you provide the requested information. Timelines may vary depending on the accuracy of the details submitted and any additional checks required. Typically, the screening process is completed on the same day.

How long does it take to verify my bank details?

My details couldn't be verified - what happens now?

You’ll be asked to upload a bank statement securely via our platform. This helps us confirm the account belongs to you.

What personal data do you collect about me?

We collect only the data necessary to verify your identity and process your payment. Please refer to our Privacy Notice for full details.

Are there fake Shieldpay websites?

We want to reassure you that Shieldpay is not currently aware of any websites impersonating www.shieldpay.com. However, we are aware that several global firms operate under similar names.
Please note that Shieldpay is not associated with the following websites:

To ensure you are interacting with the genuine Shieldpay platform, always verify that the website address is www.shieldpay.com. If you are ever unsure, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

Payments

When will I get my money?

Once your details are verified and your law firm authorises the payment, Shieldpay will disburse the funds directly to your account.

How will payments be made?

Payments are made electronically to a bank account in your name. If you require a cheque, please contact your law firm directly.

How much will it cost me to receive money?

Shieldpay does not charge payees However, your bank may charge fees for receiving GBP payments, especially if your account is outside the UK.

Can Shieldpay refuse to process a payment?

Shieldpay may refuse a payment if verification checks fail or if the transaction does not meet regulatory requirements.

Support

I haven't received a link from Shieldpay - what should I do?

Check your spam or junk folder. If still missing, contact your law firm or representative. For fraud prevention reasons, Shieldpay cannot resend links directly to claimants.

Who do I contact if I need help?

Please contact your law firm or representative in the first instance. They will escalate any issues to Shieldpay if needed.

How do I complain?

Please refer to our Complaints Handling Process. If eligible, complaints may be escalated to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the FCA.

Concerned about fraud?

Visit our Fraud Prevention page or email fraud@shieldpay.com.

Welcome to Shieldpay

Is Shieldpay Legitimate?

What Happens Next