SDLT changes – the countdown begins?

Written by Sarah Debney, Orbital Witness How is it October already? Before we know it the Christmas rush will be upon us. Yet for most conveyancers, that doesn’t usually mean glad tidings and a season of goodwill. It’s more a question of gritted teeth – a hard slog with the prospect of a lie down […]
Turning a blind eye to leadership disputes

I recently spoke at a prestigious legal sector event with over 300 attendees. Most of these were partners from midsize law firms, and they were among their firm’s 20 to 40 partners. I spent time with many of these interesting partners late into the evening, comparing notes, speaking about their firms’ growth challenges they’d overcome, […]
Live podcast will highlight how to switch practice management systems successfully

The latest episode in Osprey Approach’s podcast series, Empowering Law Firm Leaders, will feature a conversation between Amy Bruce, head of marketing at Osprey Approach, and Karen Edwards, head of professional development at the Institute of Legal Finance & Management (ILFM), who will share the lessons learnt from switching practice management systems and how to […]
Law Society publishes guidance to support Black or minority ethnic students entering the profession

To coincide with Black History Month, the Law Society of England and Wales has published new guidance to support Black or minority ethnic students entering into the profession. The guidance provides advice on: Challenging assumptions and overcoming barriers; Securing a training opportunity; and Funding opportunities. Aspiring solicitors are encouraged to obtain a training opportunity by […]
FCA fines Starling Bank £29m for failings in their financial crime systems and controls

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Starling Bank Limited £28,959,426 for financial crime failings related to its financial sanctions screening. It also repeatedly breached a requirement not to open accounts for high-risk customers. Starling grew quickly, from approximately 43,000 customers in 2017 to 3.6 million in 2023. However, measures to tackle financial crime did […]
Market conditions have ‘steadily improved’ over the summer and into early autumn

Market conditions have “steadily improved” over the summer and into early autumn and mortgage affordability has been easing due to strong wage growth and falling interest rates, according to the Halifax House Price Index. This has also boosted confidence among potential buyers, with the number of mortgages agreed up over 40% in the last year […]