Happy Christmas and a 2012 review
Hopefully you’ve already done all your exchanges and completions, or any stragglers are certain for today. How was 2012 for you? As we pack up for Christmas we thought that we should quickly remind ourselves of some of the key events of 2012. Looking back at nearly 700 articles we have published this year, we […]
Heartbreak risk for homebuyers relying on seasonal searches?
The seasonality of conveyancing property searches undertaken by property lawyers may leave homebuyers heartbroken if unexpected risks cause damage to their property in the future, according to SearchFlow, the property search firm. Research conducted by SearchFlow into flood risk searches undertaken over the last three years, found that nearly a quarter of annual flood searches […]
Heartbreak risk for homebuyers relying on seasonal searches?
The seasonality of conveyancing property searches undertaken by property lawyers may leave homebuyers heartbroken if unexpected risks cause damage to their property in the future, according to SearchFlow, the property search firm. Research conducted by SearchFlow into flood risk searches undertaken over the last three years, found that nearly a quarter of annual flood searches […]
SLC opens membership to non-licensed conveyancers
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) will be introducing a new Associate Membership category from January 2013. Those working within the conveyancing profession but not employed as Licensed Conveyancers will be eligible to join on this basis. Associate Members will be able to access the range of benefits enjoyed by more than 200 existing members. […]
Will Safe Move become ATOL of conveyancing?
At last week’s Conveyancer Summit a new scheme was unveiled that will enable consumers to purchase properties where the legal work has already been completed. Ed Powell, director, B E Consultancy, explained more about the Safe Move Scheme at last week’s event which was part of the Estate Agents Events conference. The Safe Move Scheme […]
SRA Warning: www.aplinslaw-uk.com
The SRA have issued a warning relating to contact details being used by fraudsters that are not those of a legitimate firm of the same name. Aplins-Stockton-Fairfax is a genuine firm which is authorised and regulated by the SRA. The office is located at 36 West Bar, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 9RU. The firm’s legitimate telephone […]
No COLP for vendors' conveyancer poses exchange risk?
We reported earlier in the week that the SRA would soon be starting a “proportionate response” for firms without COLPs and COFAs in place. This proportionate response will include revoking licences to practice. Whilst more than 8,000 firms have now had their nominations for the key roles of COLPs and COFAs approved there are still […]
PSG Franchising obtains High Court Injunction to prevent former Milton Keynes franchisee from competing
PSG have issued the following press statement this afternoon: "PSG Franchising obtains High Court Injunction to prevent former Milton Keynes franchisee from competing Industry-leading supplier of regulated property searches, PSG Franchising Limited, has, yesterday 20th December 2012, successfully obtained an injunction to restrain its former franchise holders in Milton Keynes, Lydia Darby Limited from operating […]
Losing the plot: Residential conveyancing complaints and their causes
Has the Legal Ombudsman opened a can of worms with his recent report ‘Losing the plot: Residential conveyancing complaints and their causes’? Part of the problem is that conveyancers have no idea how difficult or complicated a transaction might be until they are part way through it. As an ex-conveyancer, with 25 years’ experience at […]
Practising Certificate renewals window closes
The SRA have announced the deadline has now passed for those wishing to renew their Practising Certificate for 2012/13. The window for renewals opened on 1 November and closed on 14 December. Individuals and firms had until then to complete their application and submit payment to allow them to continue practising in 2012/13. A total […]
SRA ready to deliver proportionate response
The SRA have confirmed that they will deliver a campaign of “proportionate enforcement action” against firms that fail to meet the deadline for appointing COLPs and COFAs, as required under the outcomes-focused regulatory regime. If firms do not have both positions in place by 31 December they will be in breach of their licensing conditions. […]
CQS advertises for lay members
The Law Society accreditation scheme, the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) is currently advertising for a lay panel member. The CQS assessment panel plays a key role in assisting the accreditation with assessing the suitability of applicant firms to the scheme. The advert states that they: “Wish to appoint a lay panel member to complement our […]
Land Charges (Amendment) Rules 2012 now in force
Under the Land Charges (Amendment) Rules 2012 Land Registry telephone service centres will close and the organisation will introduce more types of electronic Land Charges applications. The amendments to the Land Charges Rules 1974 came into force yesterday (17 December 2012). The other main changes are: to revoke rule 6 and Form 14 of the […]
LSB review puts holding of client money in question
The Legal Services Board has issued its thematic review relating to the regulation of conveyancing in England and Wales. The report issued on Friday looked at a number of issues relating to conveyancing risk and mortgage fraud. The report recognises there are a number of problems being reported in the conveyancing market, particularly relating to […]
Land Registry to extend RQ pilot measure
The Land Registry has hailed the success of the RQ pilot measure in better protecting thousands of properties against fraud. The pilot measure that was launched in February 2012 will now be continued. An owner who is not living and does not intend to live at the registered property can make a request for the […]
SRA warning: Tams & Co / Swift Properties
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued a warning involving con artists claiming to be from Swift Properties and involving a firm called Tams & Co Solicitors. The SRA has been told that members of the public are being sent e-mails from Swift Properties providing a list of properties that can be purchased at a […]
Calling all COLPs and COFAs. Breach of Trust – Could you be held liable?
PSG introduce Lawyer Checker, a simple and cost effective service to reduce risk of fraud. On Wednesday 12th December the Court of Appeal judgement in the Nationwide Building Society V Davisons case once again highlighted that the theft of the identity of a vendor’s solicitor or conveyancer remains a serious issue for firms, lenders and […]
Directors of Black and White Group Limited fined and banned
The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has taken action against three former directors of Black and White Group Limited (which is now in liquidation), for numerous failings in relation to the sale of mortgages and payment protection insurance (PPI). They censured the firm for operating in a way that created a very high risk of unsuitable […]
RICS points to broadly stable market
The November 2012 RICS Housing Market Survey shows prices remain broadly flat while transaction levels continue to slowly increase. Looking forward the three and twelve month indicators suggest this trend will continue over the next year. New buyer enquiries were up for the third successive month in a row and were accompanied by a modest […]
SRA reveals three year plan
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) yesterday announced its future priorities, and published a model for assessing risks to its regulatory objectives. The announcements took place at the free ‘Driving forward regulatory change: the next three years’ event in central Birmingham yesterday (Friday 14 December). The event provided an insight into the SRA’s strategic thinking, including […]
