Cladding crisis stalls again as lenders and RICS await guidance update
The Government’s plan to unlock at least some of the property market paralysed by the cladding crisis has faced yet another setback. New hope for leaseholders of properties in low rise buildings was offered last month when Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick announced that buildings under 18 metres in height would no longer need an EWS1 […]
SRA contacts 500 firms for price transparency compliance declaration
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has launched its latest crackdown on price transparency compliance. The regulator has this week contacted nearly 500 law firms to request completion of a questionnaire and signed declaration the firm is compliant with the SRA Transparency Rules. It has requested the completion of the declaration by 14th August. The SRA has also […]
Digital ID Trust Scheme on trial in 11 locations
Estate agents, licensed conveyancers, solicitors and mortgage intermediaries operating in Battersea, Chiswick, Clapham, Putney, Wimbledon, Richmond, Kew, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Harrogate and York are to be the first to benefit this year from trials of a new digital identity trust scheme to make home buying and selling a quicker and more secure digital process. These geographical […]
ULS technology recruits Director of Conveyancing Transformation
ULS technology has reaffirmed its commitment to revolutionise home buying and selling, with the recruitment of Angela Hesketh as Director of Conveyancing Transformation. Angela has worked within legal practices specialising in Conveyancing for more than 30 years, during which time she has built teams and processes to improve the experience delivered to customers. In recent […]
“It’s NOT OK not to be OK”
I recently had the pleasure to attend a webinar hosted by the Conveyancing Foundation to discuss the work the Group Transformation Division at Lloyds Banking Group have been doing to support colleague’s mental, physical & emotional wellbeing during this difficult period. The objective was to share experiences from different organisations and industries; at LBG we […]
Today’s Conveyancer talks to Michael Connelly, MD at Legal Bricks
Today’s Conveyancer talk to Michael Connelly, MD of search provider Legal Bricks about his experiences of the challenges of the last 12 months and what Legal Bricks are doing to innovtae their product offering to help practitioners. TC: Can you provide a brief introduction to Legal Bricks and tell us what you do as […]
Undertakings, Advice and Information – Key Recent Developments in Residential Conveyancing
There have been two recent cases which generate issues going to the heart of the conveyancing process. The first issue relates to the giving of undertakings. The case of Harcus Sinclair LLP v Your Lawyers Ltd [23.07.21] raises the important practical point of from whom an undertaking can be received. The case throws into focus […]
Quietest home moving spots in the UK identified
The quietest home moving spots in the UK have been identified following research by homebuying platform, YesHomebuyers, Based on the average number of annual transactions over the last 5 years areas such as Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cornwall have seen in excess of 10,000 homes sold per year on average, but not everywhere across […]
LEAP announces partnership with The Law Society
LEAP, the leading practice management software provider, is delighted to announce a strategic partnership with the Law Society. After a rigorous process of due diligence, the Law Society has appointed LEAP as a Strategic Partner for case management, accounting and other legal software. This agreement will see the two organisations work in tandem for the benefit […]
How can firms achieve commercial success in the post-pandemic world?
Commercial success is the driving force for ambitious law firms and, speaking to our clients, it’s no surprise many have a renewed determination to re-evaluate current business practices and strategies in the wake of Covid-19. There has never been a better time to build on lessons of the past year, using technology to support agile […]
Climate change concerns for coastal properties in landslide prone areas
A major 40 m landslide occurred at Nefyn Bay in North Wales earlier this year sparking concern for nearby residents and business owners. The area is prone to regular small-scale cliff collapses due to the superficial deposits of clays and silts making up Nefyn Bay which are easily eroded by the sea. More concerning, however, […]
Government will fail to reach housing target until 2028
The latest research by Birmingham and Newcastle-based property developer, StripeHomes, reveals that, at the current rate of progress, the UK government will not achieve its pledge of delivering 300,000 new homes a year until 2028. The UK’s housing crisis is long-lasting and well-reported, perpetuated mainly by a stark lack of housing supply. For decades, ruling […]
“National investment” plan following FJG acquisition
Private Equity firm Blixt Group has invested in Essex based Fisher Jones Greenwood LLP solicitors (FJG). It is the first foray into the legal services sector for Blixt for whom FJG will “become a springboard for further acquisitions over the next 3 to 4 years.” The Blixt Group has indicated it has access to significant […]
How will pandemic lessons shape the future of conveyancing?
InfoTrack’s Bronwyn Townsend and Osprey Approach’s Amy Bruce consider the behavioural changes and alternative processes that have been adopted by the conveyancing industry since March 2020. They share their views on whether these changes should be embedded into everyday practices, and if so how. The past 18 months have presented unique challenges for conveyancing departments. […]
Commercial Property Solicitor Returns
Rowlinsons are delighted to announce that Nicholas Ball has returned to their Commercial Property Department as an Associate Solicitor. Nicholas completed his Training Contract with Rowlinsons and qualified at the firm in 2017. He then worked for two other Cheshire law firms, gaining further experience in a wide range of commercial property matters. Nicholas advises […]
Legal oversight regulator’s arrangement processes are headed in the right direction
The Legal Services Board’s (LSB) proposed new rules and guidance for changes to regulatory arrangements are a significant improvement, the Law Society of England and Wales said today. The oversight regulator is seeking views from the ten approved legal services regulators on how they seek the LSB’s approval for alterations to their regulatory arrangements. The […]
How digital onboarding can give your firm competitive advantage
In today’s world of e-commerce and online banking, consumers expect instant access to services in a safe and secure environment. In the legal industry, meeting the needs and expectations of clients is key in an evolving, challenging and competitive legal environment. Unrivalled client experience differentiates law firms from competitors and added value will give fee […]
LB-Connect – The final piece in the property puzzle
Legal Bricks has launched LB-Connect – “The final piece in the property puzzle”. Our solution offers law firms an intuitive white labelled platform, which specifically deals with client on-boarding and aims to reduce transaction times, increase efficiencies and reduce errors. What’s the aim of LB-Connect? In the digital age of immediacy where there’s an expectation […]
LawTech must comply with highest ethical standards
The Law Society of England and Wales has published the outcomes from its LawTech, Ethics and the Rule of Law discussion paper, unveiling a set of principles and guidance that would be beneficial for the solicitors’ profession. In the face of Covid-19, the justice system moved online, pushing the profession to modernise quicker than expected. […]
Housing industry COVID-19 guidance updates
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has issued further advice for those working within the home buying and selling process and those moving home. Latest Government guidance has been issued in accordance with the transition in England to step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown, which came into effect on 19th […]
