Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) relocates
Six hundred staff will work at the new location, following the closure of Redditch and Leamington offices. They will be based at the Cube building, in the centre of Birmingham. Chief Executive, Antony Townsend, said: "We are very enthusiastic about working together in a modern location at the heart of the City, improving our efficiency […]
Reminder on Land Registry fees
Firms are reminded to be ready for the new Land Registry fees that come into place on the 22nd October. Following efficiency savings they have been able to reduce fees by an average of 10 per cent. They are lowering scale and fixed fees for applications relating to every statutory service. To prepare for the […]
House prices remain steady
The Land Registry’s flagship House Price index for August shows an unchanged average price of £163,376. Whilst there was no change from July, this represents a 0.7 per cent increase from the same period last year. David Newnes, director of LSL Property Services, owners of Your Move and Reeds Rains, thinks this is a positive […]
New director for myhomemove
The UK’s largest conveyancer has announced that Dev Malle will join the firm in the newly created role of Group Sales Director. The appointment is part of an ambitious growth strategy for myhomemove where they hope to extend the channels they operate in. Dev has over 22 years’ experience in the Financial Services sector, having […]
Conveyancer of the Year Awards in association with The Sunday Times and The Times
Entries are open until the 5th October for the 2012 Conveyancer of the Year Awards. Estate Agency Events launched the first Conveyancing Awards in 2011 as part of the Estate Agency of the Year Awards and hope to replicate the success. The awards offer firms a chance to be recognised for the quality they offer […]
Remortaging drops to new low
The LMS Mortgage report for August has put remortgaging at 25% of total gross mortgage lending. Total remortgage lending was at £3.17bn, representing the lowest proportions of market share since 1999. It seems that the market is stalling whilst borrowers wait it out for better deals to arrive. Given there are currently some attractive 3% […]
Cheshire Mortgage Corporation Ltd & Anor v Grandison & Anor [2012] ScotCS CSIH_66 (05 September 2012)
Introduction We are pleased to welcome again Mr Anis Waiz Solicitor of Ozon Solicitors Manchester as he considers the very important decision of the Inner House on Appeal in the above case. You may recall Anis blogged about the decision of the First instance decision of the Outer House in November 2011. http://www.wardblawg.com/scotslawblog/scots-law/warranty-of-authority-in-scots-law-cheshire-mortgage-corporation-v-grandison-ors/ Background The […]
ETSOS is quality choice for leading legal group
Conveyancing search supermarket ETSOS has announced its appointment by QualitySolicitors as the legal group’s preferred partner for conveyancing searches and title insurance. ETSOS is technically an aggregator rather than a provider, enabling users to review, compare and buy a broad range of conveyancing-oriented products from different suppliers. Access is via a free-to-use ordering portal, with […]
Today’s Conveyancer talks to Roger Wilson
Roger is the Conveyancing Services Director at Connells Group, one of the largest providers of Estate Agency and related property services in the country. He is responsible for all the Conveyancing propositions offered throughout the Group and also has responsibility for a range of other legal services the group provides. He has been at the […]
Stamp duty avoidance crackdown
Those using avoidance schemes to dodge stamp duty land tax will face new scrutiny from HM Revenue & Customs. The schemes currently cost the public £170m a year and users will now have disclose them to the authorities. Earlier in the year the SRA urged solicitors warned the profession to ensure any involvement with such […]
New CEO for Decision Insight Information Group
Marshall King has been appointed as CEO of Decision Insight Information Group, a provider of risk management and due diligence solutions for law firms, financial entities and real estate companies. The appointment announced today was effective on the 17th September 2012. Mr King will oversee the group which includes SearchFlow, Decision Insight Hub, Millar & […]
Richard Dinning obituary
It is with much sadness that we have to report the sudden and unexpected death of Richard Dinning. Richard had a long and respected career working as a commercial banking and commercial property lawyer in a number of large institutions. However, many conveyancers will know of him from his time developing volume conveyancing at Addleshaw […]
Wards Solicitors reappointed to Law Society panel
The firm has retained its position as part of the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme. Head of Conveyancing, Susan Ellis said: “We’re delighted to have been reaccredited with membership of the CQS scheme. “This recognises Wards Solicitors’ dedication to ensuring that our clients are treated fairly and protected from fraud. “We pride ourselves on working […]
New SLC board members
The SLC has appointed an additional two directors to its board with immediate effect. Michelle Rickard of PDR Property Lawyers and Darren Becks of Angela Viney Conveyancing Services have joined the board. The board is responsible for developing the SLC’s future strategy, while exploring new solutions for the benefit of its members. John Clay, Chairman, […]
RPSA warns on Estate Agents Act
The RPSA has warned against the reduced levels of protection for consumers bought about by proposed changes to the Estate Agents Act. They have warned that if purchasing a property from a private seller, the intermediary that has been promoting the property is under no legal obligation to ensure that the property details provided to […]
US firm LegalZoom to enter UK market
One of the most recognised legal brands in the US will enter the UK market thanks to an exclusive partnership with Quality Solicitors (QS). The deal is due to start in November with the site branded “LegalZoom — in partnership with QualitySolicitors”. LegalZoom will support its launch with television advertising, as it does in America, […]
New “pensions-for-property” scheme
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has unveiled a new plan to help first time buyers by allowing them to use their parents’ and grandparents’ pension funds to help raise deposits. Exact details of how the scheme would work have not been revealed. It would potentially involve pension pots being able to act as a guarantee […]
Conveyancing awards winners
Last night the inaugural winners of the Law Firm Services Conveyancing awards were crowned. TV and radio economist Justin Urquhart Stewart handed out the awards to the winners at a black tie dinner at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Stephensons LLP and Ashfords were the big winners of the night. Stephensons took home the Overall Conveyancing […]
Conveyancing awards winners
Last night the inaugural winners of the Law Firm Services Conveyancing awards were crowned. TV and radio economist Justin Urquhart Stewart handed out the awards to the winners at a black tie dinner at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Stephensons LLP and Ashfords were the big winners of the night. Stephensons took home the Overall Conveyancing […]
OFT publishes new house sales guidance
The new guidance is designed to help estate agents and others involved in property sales understand their regulatory responsibilities. The guidance identifies examples of trading practices that could breach the regulations and includes practical steps that businesses can take to comply with the law. It covers two pieces of existing legislation: Consumer Protection from Unfair […]
