CLC issues statement on risk management tools
In a statement issued today the CLC T backed the use of risk management tools as a way to minimise the risk that could face clients. The statement reads; "The CLC encourages the practices it regulates to consider how they can mitigate risk to protect the interests of clients and to minimise claims made […]
SRA issues warning on SDLT schemes
The SRA held an event on the 5th June warning law firms not to wander from the path of compliance whilst economic times are tough. The warning from the Chief Executive of the SRA, Anthony Townsend, specifically cautioned solicitors about getting involved in stamp duty land tax (SDLT) schemes as a way to make quick […]
BBC reveals less than 200 homes signed up to Green Deal
According to BBC Radio 4’s You and Yours programme the governments flagship Green Deal policy has seen less than 200 takers so far. The policy was launched in January to offer long-term loans for energy-saving home improvement work. Although 19,000 homes have been assessed very few householders have gone on to take out the loans. […]
Equity release continues to grow
According to new research from Stonehaven, 45.1% of their customers in London and the South East are now using equity release to pay mortgage debt. The equity release provider found that nearly half their customers cited paying off their mortgages as the primary reason for taking out an equity release loan compared to only 27.6% […]
Accord Buy to Let widen panel
Accord BTL are now offering their buy to let customers a significantly increased panel. Accord Buy to Let will now accept solicitor firms who are on Accord Mortgages’ residential Conveyancing Panel and accredited under the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) maintained by the Law Society of England & Wales. The solicitors chosen will act on a […]
Five convicted of £20m mortgage fraud
The BBC has reported that five people have been convicted of mortgage fraud worth £20m. The convictions follow a five-month trial in which the jury had to consider 50,000 items of evidence. The case related to 189 mortgage applications were made between May 2003 and June 2008. According to the prosecution the deceit was achieved […]
Santander UK plc v R A Legal Solicitors
On 23 May 2013, the High Court handed down its decision in the latest case in which a lender has sued solicitors for breach of trust. The decision in Santander v R. A. Legal Solicitors, confirmed and clarified the Court of Appeal’s decision in Nationwide v Davisons as to when solicitors should be relieved from […]
Stalled housing sites to receive government help
Housing Minister Mark Prisk has announced that major schemes at 14 sites could receive government investment, allowing 38,000 new homes to be built. If they pass due diligence the sites will each receive a share of the Local Infrastructure Fund, which has a total budget of £474 million. Schemes which are struggling to get off […]