Blake Lapthorn secures Law Society quality mark
Blake Lapthorn, one of the leading law firms in the UK, has announced that it has secured membership to the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS). Lorna Munro, a partner at Blake Lapthorn and head of the firm’s Residential Property team, said: “We are delighted to have secured CQS status, which recognises Blake Lapthorn’s continued […]
Law Society warning over SRA financial adviser rules
The Law Society has urged the profession not to follow the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) new rules on recommending financial advisers to clients, warning that it could expose solicitors to negligence claims. We reported earlier in the week the SRA was recommending to its Board that solicitors be allowed to refer clients to any financial […]
Landmark Information Group acquires Renaissance Environmental Limited
Landmark Information Group has announced the acquisition of Renaissance Environmental Limited, an environmental consultancy specialising in the provision of due diligence services to commercial, agricultural and residential property professionals. Renaissance will become part of Landmark Information Group, the UK’s leading provider of land and property search information. Renaissance provides services to many of the UK’s […]
The real cost of subsidence
Why would I be talking about subsidence when all we are seeing on TV is rain and localised flooding? Well they are very closely related and similar in terms of scale — the opposite sides of a coin. The average number of properties affected by flood in a year is the same as the average […]
SRA make decision on financial advisors
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is to recommend to its Board that solicitors be allowed to refer clients to any financial adviser, regardless of whether or not they are tied to particular institution. FSA regulations on advisers are due to change at the end of the year and on 28 November the SRA board will […]
Conveyancing Blog Awards announced
A number of Conveyancing law firms have been receiving accolades in the last couple of years for their excellence in delivering Conveyancing services. The Conveyancing Blog awards will recognise one area that has so far been overlooked for celebration. Conveyancing Blogs have grown significantly over the last few years and many Conveyancers are now using […]
The Partnership announced as ABS
The Partnership, has been approved as the 16th Alternative Business Structure (ABS) of the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). The firm of Wey Court, Guildford has been recognised for its capabilities as a proven and reputable provider of legal services. Peter Ambrose, Director of The Partnership, said: “We created this business to offer a truly […]
Land Registry assists in fraud case
The Land Registry has assisted the Met and the City of London Police to help them secure a successful conviction against a woman believed to be Britain’s most prolific female fraudster. Fraudster Maria Michaela, 33, was jailed earlier this month for nine years. She had used more than a dozen identities to con almost £15million […]
Green Deal and Lenders’ Panels hot topics at conference
At the SLC conference, held last Wednesday, 150 delegates from across the profession debated a number of key issues. A number of attendees raised concerns about the Green Deal and the additional responsibilities it would bring to conveyancers, both in identifying whether a property had any Green Deal finance attached and if it did, in […]
Remortgaging accounts for third of mortgage lending
The latest LMS Remortgage Report for October shows that remortgaging increased 13.3 per cent to £12.9bn. This means that remortgaging as a proportion of gross lending now stands at 31 per cent. Overall remortgage lending rose to £4.1bn its highest figure since November 2011. This represents an overall increase of 23.1 per cent. LMS chief executive […]
Land Registry shortlisted for customer service awards
They have been shortlisted in two categories in the UK Customer Satisfaction Awards 2013. The awards are judged by industry experts, business leaders and academics and recognise organisations and individuals that have implemented successful customer service strategies. The winners of the 2013 Awards will be announced on 26 February 2013. The first category is for […]
SRA Warning: Tavistock Law Limited
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued a warning relating to Tavistock Law Limited of Painters Hall Chambers, 8 Little Trinity Lane, London. They are currently investigating reports that the firm is no longer operating. Once they have any further information it will be published on the SRA website. If anyone has any information on Tavistock […]
New build numbers must increase
The latest figures from SmartNewHomes reveal that new home prices are expected to rise by 1 – 2% in 2013. Steven Lees, Director at SmartNewHomes, said: “The new homes market is much leaner than it was and is well positioned to continue weathering the wider economic storm, which is likely to continue through 2013. “Demand […]
Legal Eye launches powerful, comprehensive quality standard for legal services firms
Legal Eye, a leading provider of best practice, risk management and compliance services to the legal services market, has today launched the Legal Eye Quality Standard. Suitable for Solicitors, Licensed Conveyancers and providers of legal information services, the quality standard is the first assessment scheme to address those rules and regulations which are over and […]
Rightmove founder predicts firms will go bust
Speaking at the Legal Futures conference, Harry Hill, Founder of Rightmove predicted that less than half of the current number of residential conveyancing specialist firms will be in business within three years. Mr Hill said that only volume conveyancers with external capital would be able to withstand the current unsustainable price competition. He said the […]
FSA warns on quick sales
The FSA has issued a warning to those looking for a quick deal on a house sale that they may be at risk of fraud. They have warned any homeowner to be wary of companies and individuals offering to help with a quick deal by buying the property at a discounted price. The discount is […]
Land Registry to close telephone ordering services
The Land Registry has announced that it will be closing the Land Registry telephone ordering services and changing Land Charges legislation. The decision follows a consultation which took into account the views of all respondents. The services will be replaced with online technology which will make applications faster and easier. The legislation will come into […]
Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation for BPL
bpl solicitors limited is proud to announce its accreditation under the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme. David Bridge, Managing Director at bpl commented: “As a specialist firm of Property Solicitors, we are at the forefront of conveyancing in England and Wales. This accreditation reflects the hard work of all our staff and their commitment to […]
Gross mortgage lending at 11 month high
The latest forward estimate from the Council of Mortgage Lenders indicates that total mortgage lending recovered to £12.9 billion in October. If correct this would reverse the sharp dip seen in September and shown signs that market weakness is coming to an end. CML chief economist Bob Pannell said: "House purchase and remortgage activity both […]
Hudson speaks – Solicitors vs Barristers
The Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson spoke at the Solicitors’ Association of Higher Court Advocates annual conference on Saturday about the quality assurance for the profession. Mr Hudson said that the Law Society is: “Now committed to the practical demonstration and periodic revalidation of advocacy skills”. However, he said that he was not yet […]
