£16k fine for failing to identify PEP in property transactions
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has imposed a £16,092 fine on a firm which failed to identify a politically exposed person (PEP) in a series of residential property transactions. Leadenhall Law Group Limited acted for a non-domestic PEP and their associated companies across 14 residential property purchase transactions, all of which proceeded to completion. An investigation […]
‘Insufficient cross-regulator collaboration on Legal Services Act guidance before Mazur’ – LSB
A report into the differing guidance provided by regulators in the wake of the Mazur case has highlighted how “insufficient cross-regulator engagement” resulted in inconsistent interpretations of the Legal Services Act and the subsequent guidance provided to regulated communities. The Legal Services Board’s (LSB) final report into the guidance provided by regulators, Regulatory review of […]
Cumbria firm continues expansion with new acquisition
Cumbria firm Bendles continues its expansion with the acquisition of Atkinson Ritson. The acquisition follows Bendles’ merger with Gaynham, King & Mellor earlier this year, in a deal which saw Bendles’ Cumbria presence expand from Carlisle, Wigton and Whitehaven to Penrith, Appleby and Kirkby Stephen. The acquisition of Atkinson Ritson – itself the result of […]
Firm news: conveyancing and residential property appointments
Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors has promoted Michaela Hayes to partner and joint head of residential conveyancing. Women now make up 67% of the firm’s partnership. Hayes (pictured above) joined the firm in 2021 as a residential conveyancing solicitor. The promotion reflects her outstanding client care, technical expertise and commitment to mentoring colleagues, the firm […]
The ground rent quid pro quo consultation is a bear trap
Leasehold expert Mark Wilson has examined the government’s consultation on quid pro quo ground rents and, instead of finding a request for information, he thinks it’s a test that’s been designed to be failed. I recently read the government’s consultation on quid pro quo ground rents, issued alongside the draft Commonhold and Leasehold Reform […]