Legal Services Board looks into consumer decisions around legal advice
Consumers are likely to make quick, intuitive decisions when they are deciding on legal support, according to a recently published set of reports. The Legal Services Board has published three reports investigating consumers’ behaviour when deciding whether or not to seek legal advice. Two of the reports look at consumer decision making whilst the third […]
Shoosmiths shows support for armed services
Leading firm Shoosmiths has talked about their work with charity Forces in the Community, who support all serving military personnel, cadets, veterans and their families in their local communities. They hope that their legal expertise can help those currently in uniform and also assist ex-servicemen and women who no longer have access to the support […]
RICS new president delivers inaugural address
The 2013-14 Presidential team at RICS have taken up their positions, with new President Michael Newey delivering his inaugural address last week. He succeeds Alan Collett as president with Louise Brooke-Smith becoming the first female president elect in RICS 145-year history. Mr Newey used his inaugural address to address four key themes; 1. The continuity […]
Energy Performance Certificates described as redundant
Research has shown that Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are having no bearing on the sale of properties. After the lack of uptake for the Government’s Green Deal programme, the lack of impact of another of their key environmental initiatives will surely be a disappointment to policy makers. The research, conducted by County Homesearch, has not […]
British Mortgage Award win for myhomemove CEO
CEO of myhomemove Doug Crawford has won this year’s Business Leader Award in the Conveyancer category of the British Mortgage Awards 2013. Doug took home the peer nominated award after only just over a year in the conveyancing industry. Under his direction the company has strengthened its Board, developed additional technologies to enhance the conveyancing […]
New partner at Tozers LLP
Nick Conner, associate at Tozers LLP, has been named partner. Mr Conner primarily acts for private individuals in residential sale and purchase transactions, as well as undertaking commercial property work for tenants, landlords and developers. Vernon Clarke, head of the private client, said: “Nick’s work is of the highest quality and this is evidenced by […]
Estate Agents Conveyancing Firm of the Year nominations mount up
Entries are now open for estate agents to vote for their favourite Conveyancing firm. Richard Mathias of LFS has said a record number of agents have voted so far. He said: “Last year we received over 250 votes over a six week period. “This year we are looking like that number will almost double if […]
"As safe as houses-myhomemove research shows cash investors opt for bricks and mortar"
A press release from myhomemove, the leading provider of conveyancing services in the UK, reported that nearly a quarter of its clients are buying their homes in cash as the number of people buying without a mortgage steadily increases. The CEO of myhomemover, Doug Crawford, said “As the largest provider of conveyancing services in the […]
Quality Solicitors Forshaws Davies Ridgway sign Conveyancing Association pledges
QualitySolicitors Forshaws Davies Ridgway has announced a promise to support and uphold the CA Pledges which are designed to make the process of buying a house smoother and more efficient for clients and partners. The Pledges, launched in December 2012, are the conveyancing industry’s first ever set of customer service commitments that go above and […]
Chairman of In-Deed says many conveyancers are running at a loss
Harry Hill, founder of the online conveyancing service In-Deed, has commented that an overwhelming majority of conveyancers are probably running at a loss. The comment was in response to an article written by Victor Olowe, Managing Director of Winzest Consulting, whose article discussed the perceived failure of In-Deed. In the article, Olowe, attributes In-Deed […]
CPD Points! PSG have you covered
Following the success of the series of 30 CPD Seminars during the first half of 2013, leading search provider PSG has announced a further 35 events during September 2013. They are holding 26 seminars, each providing 3 SRA accredited CPD points, which will take place across England and Wales and for those who can’t attend […]
Reports of dishonest solicitors almost double since 2011
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has revealed that the number of solicitors reported for being dishonest has almost doubled over the past two years. An article published in The Law Society Gazette yesterday reported that the financial strains of the current economic climate have begun to take their toll across the profession. The executive director […]
Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB) welcomes new board member
The Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB) has further strengthened its board with the appointment of a fifth director. Andrea Glover, Managing Director of the nationally recognised search provider PSG officially took up the position of director on the 19th June. Andrea joins fellow industry board member Alan Thorogood and public interest members Andrew McIlwraith, Kate […]
With holidays approaching law firms are switching on to switch off
With peak holiday time just around the corner, telephone answering specialist Moneypenny is experiencing its usual increase in requests for seasonal support from law firms up and down the country as they look forward to their summer break. With UK government statistics suggesting around 75% of British people take their holidays in July and August […]
Move with Us upgrade technology
Residential property company Move with Us, have upgraded their online client portal to allow their clients to manage property portfolios in real time. The company hopes this will dramatically reduce the time required to manage property information, produce reports and ensure sales are as smooth as possible. Some of the new features include: – Simplified […]
I hope history will thank In-Deed
In this Guest Blog, Victor Olowe, Managing Director of Winzest Consulting discusses the impact of In-Deed on the conveyancing market. In recent weeks, a number of commentators have given their respective perspectives on the ‘perceived’ failure of In-Deed. The comments ranging from ‘I told you so’,’ What were they thinking’ to ‘What a shame’. […]
What will green light for inducements mean for conveyancing?
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has rejected calls to ban solicitors from offering cash or gift inducements to potential clients. The regulator has said there was no evidence to suggest clients are harmed by law firms offering advance payments for their cases. Claims management companies have been barred from offering inducements by Ministry of Justice rules […]
DEFRA and Association of British Insurers agree flood insurance deal
A new industry-backed levy will enable insurance companies to cover those at the greatest risk of flooding. All UK household insurers will have to pay into this pool, creating a fund that can be used to pay claims for people in high-risk homes. The deal reached between DEFRA and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) […]
SRA reviewing professional indemnity insurance situation
On the back of several months of issues, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is reviewing the risk to clients when a firm’s professional indemnity insurer gets into financial difficulties. Currently, to provide PII an insurer must be authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) or be an EEA insurer eligable to write insurance business in […]
More open data available from Land Registry
The Land Registry has now made historical price paid records available to download for free as part of its open data programme. Developers and businesses will be able to use and reuse one of the world’s largest property datasets, made up of over 17 million residential cash and mortgage sales in England and Wales. The […]