Law Society releases New Practice Note on Social Media
The Law Society has released a new Practice Note to give advice on the use of social media websites. Social media is beneficial for everything from access to legal information and resources, to professional networking and receiving feedback on services. It may well be a good way to communicate with clients, and in the future […]
What does the HS2 decision mean for conveyancers?
You won’t have failed to notice the approval to proceed with the HS2 link. Whilst it might take over a decade to complete many are already talking about property blight and risk of conveyancer negligence. The approval by the Government of the High Speed 2 (HS2) linking London to Birmingham and later Manchester and Leeds […]
Significant case helps conveyancers on sub prime negligence claims
The High Court ruling in the case of Paratus AMC Ltd & RMAC 2005 NS1 Plc v Countrywide Surveyors Ltd could result in fewer lenders making negligence claims against professionals after the issue of contributory negligence is raised. Facts In July 2004 Mr Stockton (S) applied to remortgage a buy-to-let property in York to GMAC-RFC […]
Tax Changes set trap for unwary solicitors
The following article is provided by Windsor Partners the leading professional indemnity insurance broker. The Treasury has announced radical changes to tax legislation with effect from April 2012, which will affect all solicitors and others carrying out conveyancing work. The proposed changes affect capital allowances, ie the mechanism by which purchasers can obtain tax relief […]
ETSOS makes New Year’s resolution in sixty seconds
ETSOS has launched a video demonstration showing how its free Quotation and Referral System (QRS) can transform the interaction with potential clients ringing in for conveyancing quotes. Using QRS, firms can generate a detailed quote in about a minute, with the ability to instantly email a fully formatted PDF to the prospect with an in-built […]
Move with Us research confirms legally ready movers do it quicker
Move with Us the Cambridge based business that provides a broad range of services to estate agents has issued a press release following detailed research. The research confirms that buyers and sellers who start the legal process early move on average up to nine days earlier than those who are not prepared. According to the […]
Tax Changes set trap for unwary solicitors
The following article is provided by Windsor Partners the leading professional indemnity insurance broker. The Treasury has announced radical changes to tax legislation with effect from April 2012, which will affect all solicitors and others carrying out conveyancing work. The proposed changes affect capital allowances, ie the mechanism by which purchasers can obtain tax relief […]
Searching for Happiness?
A recent survey among conveyancing practitioners including Today’s Conveyancer readers revealed that only one third of respondents said they were satisfied in their area of practice. The survey, conducted by Searches UK, a leading provider of searches to the conveyancing profession, found that 20 per cent of respondents said that if they had their time […]
HSBC radical separate representation move splits market
In a radical move that could restructure the way in which the conveyancing market operates HSBC has decided to opt for 100% separate representation unless the conveyancer is on a panel of only just over 40 firms. Some months ago Countrywide won the tender to panel manage HSBC’s conveyancing. Since then a number of large […]
HSBC subscribes to CML Handbook.
Following the market changing news that HSBC will now require its borrowers to use its own limited panel or have separate representation HSBC has decided to subscribe to the CML Handbook. On Friday morning last week we were informed by Conveycentric, the creators of LENDERmonitor that HSBC Bank PLC have, just published their CML Handbook […]
Why should conveyancers read the Legal Ombudsman’s blog?
Adam Sampson last week wrote in his blog about the challenges about publishing complaints data. The Legal Ombudsman wants to publish the number of complaints that he deals with for each firm but points out that it would be unfair to present that data out of context of the number of cases each firm does. […]
Mover mortgage approvals flat line, remortgages decline.
Last week the Bank of England released the figures for the number of mortgage approvals in November 2011. In broad terms between August and November there was only a month on month marginal change for mover mortgages with the lowest month being September with 51,231 approvals for house purchases and November being the highest with […]
Linder Myers acquire Rowlands Field Cunningham
Manchester firm Rowlands Field Cunningham were bought out of administration by Linder Myers just before Christmas, marking the latest stage of the firms “ambitious expansion strategy”. Linder Myers has already acquired practices in Lytham and Shrewsbury in the last few years, creating a £16 million turnover operation with almost 300 staff, which includes over 40 […]
HSBC subscribes to CML Handbook.
Following the market changing news that HSBC will now require its borrowers to use its own limited panel or have separate representation HSBC has decided to subscribe to the CML Handbook. On Friday morning last week we were informed by Conveycentric, the creators of LENDERmonitor that HSBC Bank PLC have, just published their CML Handbook […]
Deloitte secures appointment of Michael Coogan
Michael Coogan, former Director General of the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) will join business advisory firm, Deloitte, from Monday 9 January as Strategic Adviser to the firm’s financial services practice. Working closely with the Retail Banking and Building Society Advisory group Michael will be focusing on development of the firm’s “insights into the retail […]
ABS is under starters orders
2012 sees the beginning of a new era with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) accepting applications for Alternative Business Structures (ABS). The process has taken more than two years of discussions, consultations and preparation to ensure that everything was primed for the SRA to regulate ABS but with the official designation taking place on 23rd […]
