Thirdfort gathers compliance leaders to consider the future of client due diligence
Client due diligence platform Thirdfort brought together compliance leaders from across the legal and property sectors on Thursday to explore the future of client due diligence (CDD), as firms face growing regulatory pressure and rising expectations around digital onboarding. Verified, by Thirdfort: The Compliance Leaders’ Summit, held in London, marked the first event of its kind […]
Conveyancer certified electronic signatures & QES
Webinar: Conveyancer Certified Electronic Signatures & QES Date: Thursday 7 May Time: 11am Link to join: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5831277964400525664 Join tmGroup and PCC for an in-depth webinar on electronic signatures in conveyancing. This session will cover both Conveyancer Certified Electronic Signatures (CCES) and Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), helping you navigate the processes, requirements, and current HM Land […]
Council backs 1,600-home town centre scheme despite zero affordable housing provision
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council has unanimously approved proposals for a major town centre redevelopment delivering up to 1,600 new homes, despite the scheme containing no affordable housing or section 106 contributions. The decision follows officer advice that the authority’s significant housing land supply shortfall weighs heavily in favour of approval. Regeneration plans for Mell Square […]
Stress and high costs ‘bringing housing market to a standstill’
Surveys from the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) and the Homeowners Alliance suggest moving home is such an unpleasant and expensive experience, it’s bringing the market to a standstill. A survey of 5,000 home buyers by OPDA found 66% are reluctant to go through another move, with one in five saying they’d been significantly put […]
Shortcomings in continuing competence prompt CPD consultation from SRA
Shortcomings in the continuing competence training regime have prompted the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to undertake a consultation into the future of ensuring solicitors complete regular and relevant training. SRA-regulated solicitors are required to maintain competence and professional knowledge as part of their obligations under the Code of Conduct for Solicitors. The ‘continuing competence’ regime […]
Taylor Rose fined £160,000 by SRA
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has fined Taylor Rose more than £160,000 for compliance failures including failing to return client money promptly. The SRA directed the firm to pay a financial penalty of £160,059, with costs of £1,350. The regulator said it had fined the firm for failing to have effective systems and controls in […]
SRA must ‘regain the trust’ of the profession and get back to the basics of regulation says new CEO
New Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) chief executive Sarah Rapson says the organisation needs to “regain the trust of solicitors, law firms and the wider public”. In a statement published on the SRA website, Rapson said the message is clear from the profession that the regulator is not getting the “basics of good regulation right” and […]
Unrealistic asking prices ‘piling pressure on conveyancers’
A growing gap between asking prices and final sale values is creating an increasingly stressful environment for conveyancers, new research suggests. According to Access Legal, price negotiations that persist long after instruction lead to conveyancers being forced to manage the administrative fallout, resulting in an increased workload per case and reduced billable margins. The software […]
‘Hidden tax’ referral fees should be banned, says conveyancing action group
Referral fees are a hidden tax on home buying and should be banned, according to the Conveyancing Task Force, a group of practising conveyancers, law firms and representatives from regional law societies. In a position statement issued this week, the CTF said it recognises “the reality that referral fees are entrenched across the conveyancing market,” […]
Tax adviser status: What do conveyancers need to know?
What do conveyancers need to know about the pending requirements for those “interacting” with HMRC to register as tax advisers? To take a deep dive into the issue the Today’s Conveyancer Podcast welcomes Ian Quayle, CEO of IQ Legal Training, and Ryan Hannah, Managing Director of Compass. With the registration window opening imminently and clarity […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – Excuses, excuses
I’m not sure if it’s the current economic climate, with increased costs of living and wider world events, but I had a number of chains fall through this week. It set me thinking about the reasons clients give for not proceeding with the sale or purchase of a property. All of that emotional investment and expense, […]