Co-ownership – restricting the retainer
A recent case reminds us that one of the many issues that conveyancers have to advise on regularly is co-ownership, and more particularly the ownership arrangements to be made when the purchasers are not married or in a civil partnership. If the buyers are married etc then, should the marriage break down, the court has […]
Accountants’ body applies to regulate legal services
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) have applied to become a regulator of five further restricted legal activities, on top of existing probate work. The ICAEW say they expect the Legal Services Board to decide on the matter in the next year. If successful, accountants will be able to hold rights of audience, […]
Scam Alert Round up 25th July
Here is the latest scam alert issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority Emails falsely claiming to be from Portner Law Limited An email has been sent to a client of Portner Law Limited claiming to be from “Sara Gerrard”, providing false bank account details. The email came from the slightly different address of SG@potrner.co.uk”, where […]
Law Society publishes practice note on e-Signatures
The Law Society have released a practice note on e-signatures for contracts. The society say solicitors will be able to make greater and more confident use of technology in their day-to-day work following the release of the practice note on the use of e-signatures for commercial contracts. The note sets out the relevant law around the […]
Number of bogus law firms doubles in three years
Bogus law firms are sprouting up at an alarming rate with 700 a year springing up. According to the Solicitors Regulation Authority the number of reports they receive has more than doubled since 2012 with almost half of these involving criminals copying the identity of an existing law firm. Bogus law firms can directly target […]
Is there a hole in your conveyancing searches?
Reports of sinkholes and subsidence have increased over the last couple of years with more instances of voids opening up near homes; a recent example includes a 30ft sinkhole opening up last month in Carmarthen, South Wales due to historic lead mining and another 50ft sink hole which was 6ft wide opened up on Monday […]
Build relationships with referrers now to avoid potential downturn
As if the extraordinary events of early summer weren’t daunting enough – leaving the security of the European Union, the pound going into free fall, and a new prime minister in place before anyone could catch their breath – the reality of where to find new clients in a potential downturn looms large. How to […]