20% increase on Local Authority CON29 fees from January 2017
VAT on Local Authority CON29 fees will be introduced on 1st January 2017
“5p Carrier Bag” initiative could revolutionise sustainable development
When the charge for single-use plastic carrier bags was introduced in England on 5th October 2015, Tesco reported a 78% drop in number of single-use carrier bags taken from its stores in England in the first month. According to a panel of environmental experts, if the government are to meet their targets for Sustainable Planning […]
New certificate required for First Registration Applications
Last November, The Land Registry made allowances for conveyancer’s to lodge certified copies of deeds and documents when lodging a first registration application (Form FR1). Until recently conveyancers could only lodge original deeds and documents with the form FR1. From 28th November conveyancers now have a choice of sending original deeds and documents or sending […]
Conveyancing Association conference discusses template for future conveyancing process
Following discussions at its ‘Modernising Conveyancing’ Conference, the Conveyancing Association, the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry, has today (6th December 2016) announced it will set out a template for the future, and produce a list of actions all designed to improve the overall conveyancing process. The Conference was held on the 1st December […]
Builders should be advised accordingly
Home buyers from Taylor Wimpey have allegedly been failed by their conveyancing solicitors and are contemplating taking action, according to Leasehold Solutions. This is in regards to a failure of informing house buyers about the housebuilder’s policy to include 10-year doubling ground rents on leasehold properties which are newly-built. Commenting on the anger of some […]
Stamp duty reform leads London’s top property prices to fall
Heavily impacted by George Osborne’s stamp duty (SDLT) reforms, prices at the top of the London property market have fallen, with west London locations such as Notting Hill and Kensington seeing the biggest drops in price, according to the Stirling Ackroyd Hubs Tracker data. The top 25% of London’s property prices have fallen by -5.4% […]
Don’t doubt value of money laundering prevention
Due to conveyancing transactions usually being of high value as well as their ability to take place without raising suspicion, they are a favoured method of laundering money. The Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA) have estimated that up to £57 billion is laundered within the UK on a yearly basis. The firms who deal with these […]
Original documents no longer needed for first registration lodgements
Conveyancers can now lodge first registration applications without the need for original deeds and documents being sent, from this week (28th November 2016).
Swansea legal firm eyes expansion following successful year of trading
A Swansea-based property law firm has revealed ambitious plans to double its headcount and turnover within the next three years, following a strong year of business growth. Dezrezlegal, which has grown its workforce by 10 per cent over the past year and now has 35 members of staff, is now looking to increase its profit […]
Proposed rules for Lifetime ISA published by FCA
The proposed approach to regulating the promotion and distribution of the Lifetime ISA (LISA) has been announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
CLC Business Plan for 2017 and Annual Regulatory Return Analysis published
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), the specialist property law regulator, has today published two documents that will underpin its work in 2017 and beyond: the Annual Regulatory Return (ARR) Analysis 2016 and its business plan for 2017. The analysis of the Annual Regulatory Return (ARR) looks at a great deal of information provided by […]
BSA Housing report offers solution to supply shortage
The BSA launched a progressive housing report on 17th November, entitled ‘Laying the foundations for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC)’.
Autumn Statement: the reaction
Following the Autumn Statement, industry experts have had their say on the proposed changes regarding the property industry.
Housing White Paper to be delivered in “due course”
In the Autumn Statement delivered today, Philip Hammond announced that a housing white paper will soon be published, outlining a long-term plan for the building of new homes. Mr Hammond stated that for many, the goal of home ownership continues to be out of reach. Delivering housing in areas where it is not affordable is […]
Landmark professional negligence case set to change the legal landscape for the settlement of disputes
A landmark court judgment in favour of a firm of solicitors in a case of professional negligence, could have significant implications for future commercial property disputes.
New version of SRA handbook released
A new version of the SRA handbook was published on the 1 November 2016, with all changes coming into effect on this date. The 18th version has repealed the SRA Training Regulations 2011 Part 3 – CPD Regulations. This brings the previous requirement for solicitors to undertake a specific number of training hours each year […]
Are you supporting your applications to cancel a restriction with Form ST5?
Last June, Land Registry introduced Form ST5 to act as a statement of truth to support an application in Form RX3 to cancel a Form A restriction. Over 12 months on, do you understand why this is a requirement? A Form A restriction states that: ‘No disposition by a sole proprietor of the registered estate […]
Streamlined AML compliance and bank account verification in one place
PSG announce their partnership with global ID specialists GBG
Do you keep track of how much time you spend on compliance related tasks?
October is a time for setting budgets for many law firms to ensure that they are equipped for the opportunities and challenges the next year will inevitably bring.
Second consultation on the SQE gets under way
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has launched its latest consultation on a new single assessment for would-be solicitors – the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
