Wellbeing at work survey: Your views on the future of the workplace
An industry-wide survey to understand current workplace sentiment around mental health and well-being has been launched. It is anticipated the results will inform best-practice blueprints that could help to “revolutionise how the property industry approaches wellbeing at work.” The first “Wellbeing at Work” survey is now open and seeks to understand how happy those involved […]
The Legal Sector Faces “Unprecedented Levels of Fraud” in 2023
The legal sector in the UK has been warned to brace itself for an increase in fraud cases in 2023, following the largest ever fraud operation by the police, involving tens of thousands of suspected criminals across the globe. The operation was successful in dismantling an international fraud website known as iSpoof, which was being […]
The low-down on effective AML Compliance
Regulation is on the rise and the sanctions landscape is constantly evolving, which can make avoiding complicity in international money laundering or criminal financing feel like a full time job. Law firms are, now more than ever, required to put the right policies and measures in place, and take the necessary steps to prevent money […]
Tandem Bank signs up for LMS Panel Link®
LMS, the UK’s leading conveyancer and panel management specialist, has today announced its partnership with Tandem Bank, which will become the 34th lender to join LMS Panel Link®. As part of its unique service, LMS will deliver a fully vetted, secure panel of conveyancing firms that meets Tandem’s exact requirements, across England and Wales. Tandem […]
LGBT+ Month
When I started my legal career with a local firm, the firm hired a legal secretary. The partner at the time told the secretary “You do know she’s [meaning me] a lesbian?” prior to the secretary ever meeting me. I still do not know why the partner brought it up. I consider this a small […]
British Conveyancing Awards 2023 Shortlist
The shortlist for The British Conveyancing Awards 2023, sponsored by Groundsure, has been announced. On Monday 6th February the shortlist for the Today’s Conveyancer Industry Champion was announced, recognising the individuals who have contributed to the life and times of the conveyancing community over the last 12 months. The full shortlist for the remaining awards […]
Building Safety Act 2022: A flowchart for conveyancers
A useful flow chart has been published to help conveyancers navigate the notoriously complex Building Safety Act 2022. The informative tool comes as part of a wider information sheet on the Act. The sheet also contains information for conveyancers on the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022. The sheet was put together by Ian Quayle of […]
Fixed-rate mortgages heading beneath 4% as lenders slash rates
Certain five-year fixed-rate mortgage deals are now available at rates beneath 4% as several lenders have announced cuts to their rates. This comes despite the Bank of England increasing the base rate to 4% last week in what was the tenth rate rise since the start of 2022. HSBC UK has reduced a five-year fixed-rate […]
ROE: All you need to know now the registration deadline has passed
Overseas entities that own land in the United Kingdom are required to register as overseas entities at Companies House. The deadline of the 31st January 2023 has been and gone. The requirements to register are set out in the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022, which (for the purposes of registration) came into force […]
Conveyancer fined for arranging property sale for woman who lacked capacity
A conveyancing solicitor has been fined £15,000 and been ordered to pay £23,650 in costs following her arrangement of the sale of a property for an elderly woman who lacked capacity in 2017. Rana & Co Solicitors’ Sonia Hunjan, admitted in 2001, was contacted three times by Slough Borough Council regarding the capacity of Hunjan’s […]
Land Registry set to strike again next month
HM Land Registry (HMLR) is set to strike again on 15th March following the announcement of a further escalation of industrial action by the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union. 100,000 members of the trade union are to stage a walkout on Budget Day as part of the the ongoing national dispute over pay, pensions, redundancy […]
Diary of a high street conveyancer: 13th February 2023
I read an interesting post on LinkedIn this week on the topic of whether we, as lawyers, should still address letters “Dear Sirs”. It is an interesting topic – there are times I write to firms where some or all of the solicitors are female and I have wondered about writing “Dear All”, but that […]
