The importance of client-facing technology for law firms
The global pandemic has shown that the way clients want to communicate with their law firm has changed. The pre-pandemic model of clients turning up at the office and accessing legal services via traditional means is largely a thing of the past. Clients are embracing the digital shift. They now expect a better service, often […]
Work to be done on supervision of AML regime
The Office for Professional Body Anti-Money Laundering Supervision (OPBAS) has released its latest report on progress made in tackling money laundering by regulators over the past year. While this year’s report acknowledges that professional body supervisors (PBSs) within the accountancy and legal sectors have improved, it highlights differing levels of achievement and “significant weaknesses in […]
Index Property Information Invites Law Firms to Discover More About Automation of Risk & Third-Party Data at Law Society AML & Financial Crime Conference
Index Property Information, a sponsor of the Law Society AML & Financial Crime online conference on 21 & 22 September 2021, is inviting small and medium sized law firms to discover more about Automation of Risk and Third-Party Data at a virtual workshop on day two of the event. Kate Bould, Director of Index West […]
Regulator and Landfill Operator told to Improve in Key Judgement
Campaigners, Stop the Stink, have won their High Court case against the Environment Agency (EA) and Walley Quarry Ltd in Silverdale near Newcastle-under-Lyme, proving it to be a source of noxious gases including hydrogen sulphide (H2S) that has directly harmed the local community. The Judge, Mr Justice Fordham ruled that the gases had the potential […]
The rise of cyber-criminal threat for law firms since Covid-19
The global coronavirus pandemic, and the rise in people working from home, has unfortunately provoked a growth in cyber-crime. The UK Government estimates that the cost of cyber-crime is £27bn per annum. The legal sector handles sensitive data and large financial transactions, which makes it an attractive target for cyber criminals, who are constantly looking […]
LSB to set out plans for greater transparency for consumers
Today, the Legal Services Board (LSB) launched a consultation on a draft statutory statement of policy on empowering consumers. Developed following engagement with the legal services regulators and others across the sector, it outlines how the regulators should ensure that people and small businesses who need legal advice have the information they need to shop […]
Landmark transaction completed using “Qualified Electronic Signature”
Hugh James has, this week, completed the UK’s first-ever property deal using the revolutionary new Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), which was recently approved by HM Land Registry. The landmark transaction forms part of a national Land Registry pilot, to test the new QES process, which has been described as a “gamechanger” in signing documents. Whilst […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer; 20th September 2021
I have seen posts on LinkedIn and other forums this week about how solicitors and estate agents should work together . You would think that would be the simplest thing to do; we both want the same outcome which is for the seller to sell and the buyer to buy! But experience shows that this […]
Coal and non-coal risks now assessed in Terrafirma’s CON29M
Have you ever wondered what the ‘M’ in ‘CON29M’ stands for? If you said mining, you’d be right. However, you’d be forgiven for being confused as until now, the CON29M report has only covered mining assessment from a single mineral – coal. Ground risk specialists Terrafirma, who provide mining and natural ground hazard reports to […]
Conveyancing pipelines remain strong into Autumn
August saw an anticipated fall in the number of properties sold per estate agency branch as the SDLT holiday comes to a close at the end of August. But buyer demand and conveyancing pipelines remain strong into the Autumn as the property market hurdles the final SDLT cliff edge on 30th September. Figures from NAEA […]
Planning reforms stall amid political manoeuvring
Just days before the ousting of the latest housing secretary Robert Jenrick, proposals to overhaul planning laws were quietly scrapped in what is thought to be a political move following Tory by-election losses to the Liberal Democrats in June. The proposals were part of the government’s “Project Speed”, which aimed to modernise and simplify the […]
HMLR Practice Guide updates
HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published details of changes to several Practice Guides in its latest update. Overseas companies and limited liability partnerships (PG78) This guide deals with the registration requirements for overseas companies, in particular the requirements when they differ from those for UK companies. The guide also includes some information about overseas limited […]
