Covid-19 Pandemic Could Lead To Money Laundering Risks
Last week, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), published a report on the COVID-19 related money laundering and terrorist financing risks and policy responses. The report found that there was an increase in Covid-19 related crimes which include fraud, cyber crime, misdirection or exploitation of Government funds or international financial assistance. Covid-19 has impacted the […]
Search Activity Continues Recovery Last Week
Activity levels in the mortgage industry continued their slow recovery last week despite a well deserved and incredibly popular VE Day bank holiday. If Friday’s bank holiday was discounted from the weekly totals, searches for mortgages had increased by 8.42 per cent and remortgage searches increased by 6.96 per cent up to Thursday May 8 […]
What Will The New ‘Normal’ Look Like?
Following on from the confusing address from the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson last night, who informed the nation to “Stay Alert” as opposed to “Stay At Home”, the nation waited with baited breath today on clarification on last night’s new normal. This morning, on an interview with BBC Breakfast, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab attempted to […]
Tom Backhouse Appointed CoPSO Director
The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO), the major trade association for the property search industry, has appointed Tom Backhouse, CEO of Terrafirma as a new Board Member and Director. Tom is an award-winning geologist and entrepreneur, who founded and has successfully grown Terrafirma into an innovative and market-leading company. Terrafirma, which is based in […]
Diary Of A Highstreet Conveyancer – 7th -10th May
Thursday It was almost like the old days today. The day before a Bank Holiday and I had three completions (YAY!!) One was the sale of an empty property, the second was the purchase of an empty flat, and the third was the purchase of an empty house – or so I thought. When I […]
Construction Released From Lockdown But Sector Remains Concerned
Boris Johnson’s Sunday ‘exit phase’ announcement has insisted that those who are unable to work from home should be actively encouraged to return to their places of work from Wednesday. In the majority, this will mean factories and construction sites are the first wave of businesses being told to reopen using ‘new normal’ operating processes. […]
New Returning To Work Support Package
A new support package from Legal Eye With the Prime Minister set to announce on Sunday how the Government intends to unlock the UK economy over the coming months, Legal Eye have prepared a returning to the workplace support package to give you some useful guidance to consider on how to restart your firm in […]
Worst Of All Worlds For Conveyancers?
The lead up to the last night’s big announcement by the Prime Minister was eagerly anticipated. The televised address to the nation by Boris about the next stage of our fight against the virus was watched by millions. Many conveyancers hope that chains would be unblocked and all parts of the property sector could fully […]
Returning To Work – Planning For The Big ‘Back To Office’ Transition
By Paul Saunders, MD of Legal Eye We are existing in a time where the property market is probably the most challenged in living memory. However, developments over recent days may indicate that lenders, developers and property professionals are doing their part to rebuild and kickstart the market. Nationwide recently increased its mortgage lending loan-to-value […]
Furloughed Staff Mortgage Applications And The Post-Lockdown Mortgage Environment
Boris Johnson is poised to release UK businesses and reopen a frozen economy from next week which bodes well for a pent up property market with more than 372,000 sales at various stages of the home buying and selling pipeline. For the quarter of the population placed on the Government’s furlough Staff Retention Scheme in […]
Leading Home Moving & Mortgage Businesses Set Out Blueprint For Housing Market Recovery
Three leading organisations in the home moving process have presented their four-step plan to government on how to kickstart the housing market. Landmark Information Group, Mortgage Advice Bureau and Simplify – who each provide different critical services to home buyers and sellers – have together written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and […]
Bricks And Mortar Still Vital Commercial Tool
Embracing technology has been inevitable during recent times, as estate agents have taken to conducting more online valuations, encouraging sellers to provide virtual tours and utilising other methods in an attempt to keep the property market moving. Although working from home may have its advantages, 80% of estate agents have revealed that having an office […]
Ask an Expert: Victoria Simpson of Apply Compliance Today
Law firms should be taking the opportunity to conduct compliance reviews now to ensure they are ready for the end of lockdown say Victoria Simpson, of Apply Compliance Today. During Lawyer Checker’s latest Ask An Expert Victoria answered questions posed by attendees alongside Lawyer Checker’s Tom Lyes. In an entertaining discussion Victoria highlighted how law […]
Insight In To Buyer and Seller Mind Set
With rumours that lock down measure are set to ease next week, property agent Savills have released their Residential Marketing survey, in an attempt to give the sector an insight into the minds of buyers and sellers. Contacting almost 700 respondents, between the 21st and 27th April 2020, the property agent wanted to find out […]
Lockdown Hasn’t Dampened Walker Foster Office Opening
Samantha Worsman has been appointed as the new Director of Walker Foster’s new office, which has been remotely opened in Settle, North Yorkshire. Mark Cannon, a solicitor with experience in wills, probate and lasting power of attorneys will join Samantha in the new office. Samantha Worsman, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been given […]
Construction Output Hits Near Standstill In April
Construction output in the UK has declined at its fastest rate in over 23 years. IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index has plummeted to 8.2 in April from only 39.3 in March. Any number with an index rating over 50 represents a growing industry so such a low figure is a cause for concern. […]
SME Law Firms: Embracing New Working Practices Under A Pandemic
By John Espley, Chief Executive Officer, LEAP Legal Software UK. Through acknowledging the challenges that law firms currently face in the COVID-19 crisis, this article discusses how leaders of SME law firms can maintain productivity, use the downturn to improve their business, embrace digital change and recognise new opportunities as we emerge into the new […]
Hoowla Recognised As A Wales Tech 50 Innovator
BusinessCloud’s inaugural list celebrates Wales’ most innovative technology and software companies. Hoowla has been recognised with a national innovation award run by tech publication BusinessCloud. The inaugural Wales Tech 50 celebrates the country’s most innovative technology creators. The ranking process attracted more than 1,300 votes from BusinessCloud’s readership and a combination of reader votes and […]
Rumours Of Release – What Next?
Multiple sources are now reporting that the residential property sector is recognised by the Government as core to the economic engine of the country and that the Government imposed restrictions will be released subject to social distancing rules next week. Expectations are high from consumers and some professionals about how quickly home movers might start […]
Construction Site Needs Governmental Green Light To Return To Work
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB), has come out and said, the construction industry needs a green light from the Government, ensuring that sites can be re-opened safely as part of lock down restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. The FMB issued their response to construction PMI data which was issued yesterday, Wednesday 6th May 2020. […]
