Float Like A Butterfly, Sting like a Bee
When the old boxer returns to ring for one last fight — many of us wince. We see a deluded individual trying to recreate past glories and we know that he is doomed to humiliating failure. I have reflected on this several times in the last few weeks — ahead of the impending launch of […]
Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act: Subject Access Requests (SAR’s) – What data controllers need to do to comply?
Section 7(1) of the Data Protection Act 1998 (the ‘Act’) gives individuals the right to access their personal data (subject access data). By making a written request and paying a fee, an individual is entitled to see the information which is the personal data; and any information available to the data controller about the source […]
Conveyancing Association firms dominate Industry Awards
Conveyancing Association (CA) members won seven out of twelve awards at the ‘Law Firm Services Conveyancing Awards’ in Coventry on Thursday, demonstrating more than ever that CA members are the best of the best in the highly competitive conveyancing industry. In fact, CA member firms won 18 of the 36 first, second and third prizes […]
‘Help to buy’: Choose a specialist conveyancer or risk your sale
Kathryn Taylor, a spokesperson for the Conveyancing Association responds to the Prime Minister’s announcement that the ‘Help to Buy’ scheme will be extended to all properties from next week, three months earlier than expected. Commenting on today’s announcement Kathryn Taylor, a spokesperson for the Conveyancing Association and Managing Partner at Gordon Brown LLP, says: “Today’s […]
Ahmad v Secret Garden (Cheshire) Ltd [2013] EWCA Civ 1005
Introduction This case provides a very useful resume of the law on rectification and the courts powers where it is alleged the terms of a contract do not reflect the parties’ agreement. It is worth recounting that rectification is an equitable remedy. The court may refuse it if for example an innocent third party has […]
BRM Solicitors expands residential property team
BRM Solicitors has announced the appointment or a new Partner and Head of their Residential Property Department. Stuart Taphouse, a former Director of Banner Jones Limited and latterly a partner at James Peters & Co will start at the firm on 1st October. Julie Gretton, a solicitor with over 20 years in the legal profession […]
Countrywide announces Lambert Smith Hampton acquisition
Countrywide plc announced on Thursday that they have entered into an agreement with Lambert Smith Hampton Acquisitions Limited, and Sankaty European Investments Sarl to acquire Lambert Smith Hampton Limited for a total cash consideration of £34.1 million. Countrywide will acquire the entire issued share capital of Lambert Smith Hampton, free from all existing non-trade borrowings […]
Safe-Move hit charity milestone
On 9th August, Safe-Move walked, jogged and sprinted(!) their own Race for Life between their offices in Midway and the Shoulder of Mutton pub in Shelf. The event meant that since 2007 Safe-Move has raised over £10,000 for charity. Over the last couple of years, Safe-Move have raised money through this event for the Breast […]
Property transactions reach four year high
The latest property transaction figures released by the Land Registry show that non-seasonally adjusted transactions were at their highest level since December 2009. 89,460 transactions were carried out in August, up 0.4% up on July and 19.2% up on August last year. Paul Smith, CEO of haart estate agent, said: “More good news for the […]
myhomemove big winners at Law Firm Services awards
On Thursday evening winners of the Law Firm Services Conveyancing awards were crowned. myhomemove took home the award for Overall Conveyancer of the Year as well as Direct Conveyancing Firm of the Year. These awards came only a day after myhomemove was awarded best ‘Alternative Business Structure (over 100 employees)’ at the inaugural Modern Law […]
Gross mortgage lending up to £9.3bn
In August gross mortgage increased from an average of £8.4bn over of the last six months to hit £9.3bn. The latest BBA figures showed that the numbers of approvals for house purchase and remortgaging both rose in August, with house purchase the highest since 2009 and remortgaging the highest since 2011. Paul Hunt, managing director […]
August remortgage lending falls
Whilst remortgage lending in still up 8% from this time last year it suffered a substantial fall of 14.8% from July to August taking the total to £3.2bn. According to the latest figures from LMS remortgaging now accounts for 20% of the overall market with total gross mortgage lending holding steady at £16.6bn. The typical […]
Law Society of Scotland sep rep voted defeated
A motion bought before a Law Society of Scotland special general meeting to introduce mandatory separate representation for home buyers and lenders was today defeated. The final vote count taking into account proxy votes was revealed about an hour ago, with 671 lawyers in favour of the proposal whilst 847 voted against. Today’s vote followed […]
Countrywide continues to grow
Countrywide Residential Lettings has continued to rapidly build its portfolio with the acquisition of 18 businesses since the start of 2013. Since 2007 the group has acquired 59 businesses and the empire shows no signs of slowing down its growth. Two of the latest acquisitions were in Scotland, further strengthening its presence there. The latest […]
Conveyancing Association endorses ML Solutions
The Conveyancing Association has announced its endorsement of ML Solutions’ anti-money laundering services and products. Conveyancing Association members will now be eligible for a discount on services offered by ML Solutions, who have become the Conveyancing Association’s preferred supplier for AML training. The company specialises in providing a wide range of training services to law […]
SRA investigates 2,000 firms’ finances
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has started to evaluate the data on around 2,000 firms’ finances following a fact-finding survey. Firms included in the survey included those working in areas that are experiencing particular economic pressures, such as personal injury or legal aid, and around 500 ‘high impact’ firms, those which would have a significant […]
Gross mortgage lending holds steady
According to the latest figures released by the Council of Mortgage Lenders gross mortgage lending held steady in August at an estimated £16.6 billion. Lending was only slightly higher in July at £16.7 billion and was 28% higher than August last year. CML chief economist Bob Pannell said: "We are beginning to experience a healthy […]
Foxtons valued at £649m pre-float
Ahead of is full stock market listing, due to take place this week, Foxtons has been valued at £649m. Foxtons announced their plans to float last month in order to raise funds and capitalise on the recovery in the property market. The company is due to be officially admitted to the stock market on Wednesday […]
Fridaysmove invites panel applications
Fridaysmove has announced that it is now inviting new applications from firms seeking to join its conveyancing panel. This is the first time the Fridaysmove has opened its doors to applicants since 2011. Historically, membership has been by invitation only, and limited to a handful of practices with a conveyancing specialism. Director Chris Salmon said: […]
Law Society of Scotland to debate seperate representation
A special general meeting of the Law Society of Scotland later this month will see lawyer’s debate proposals for mandatory separate legal representation for home buyers and lenders. Earlier this year solicitors voted for the principle of changing the current practice rule whereby a solicitor can represent both the buyer and the lender. They also […]
