Law Society releases new flood risk practice note
The new flood risk guidance released by The Law Society of England and Wales is designed to provide solicitors with information that will help clients understand the flood risk that may be associated with owning or occupying property. It will inform clients of the investigations, searches and reports that may be necessary to minimise the […]
Rowlinsons Solicitors awarded prestigious legal honour
Rowlinsons Solicitors were presented with one of the coveted accolades at the Liverpool Law Society Legal Awards on the evening of 18th May 2013 after a successful year for its innovative property team. The practice based in Frodsham, Cheshire won the Property Law Award (sponsored by First Title) at the awards ceremony at the Crowne […]
OneSearch Direct "chips" in to support charity golf day
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is the independent charity that saves lives at sea. Always on-call, lifeboat crews launch an average of 24 times every day, rescuing almost 8,000 people last year. In addition, the RNLI’s seasonal Beach Lifeguard service last year assisted over 16,400 people — they will be patrolling 200 beaches this […]
Legal Eye launch marketing workshops to add to package of law firm support
Legal Eye, a leading provider of best practice, risk management and customer relationship management services to the legal service market, has today launched a new range of marketing services for law firms. Building on their experience in guiding law firms through compliance and accreditation programmes, the workshops look beyond governance to focus on the commercial […]
OneSearch Direct expands sales team
In line with its ambitious growth strategy, market leading search provider OneSearch Direct is delighted to announce that it has significantly expanded its national sales team. The company has continued to build on its success through the relentless hard work and dedication of its staff, ensuring a first class service for its customers in the […]
Signs for optimism in mortgage lending
Total gross mortgage lending increased to £12.1 billion in April, according to the latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders. The CML estimate that total gross mortgage lending increased by 4% but warns that meaningful comparisons with a year ago are difficult due to the end of the stamp duty concession. CML chief economist […]
Precise Mortgages expands panel
Precise Mortgages have added myhomemove and Gordons Property Lawyers to their panel. Alan Cleary, managing director of Precise Mortgages, said: "We intend to further increase our mortgage volumes over the next twelve months and the appointment of these two firms will provide additional capacity so that our high service standards can be maintained." Dev Malle, […]
Making properties tradable – part 3
“We rate ambition by what is finished, not by what is attempted.” It is a given that property trading is almost universally not liked, is inefficient and highly frustrating. Caveat emptor is out of place and buyers can not see if a property is ready and fit to buy when they put an offer in — there […]
TM Group to Host Masterclass at First Solicitor’s Journal Live Event
London, 20th May 2013 — Nick Dyoss, Business Development Director at TM Group, will be hosting a Buying Land for Development: Due Diligence Masterclass at the first Solicitors Journal Live training event. SJ Live is a brand new two day event taking place on May 21st and 22nd May 2013, at the Emirates Stadium in […]
Failing to answer or return phone calls could result in a reportable breach
Telephone Answering specialist Moneypenny is joining forces with compliance experts Legal Eye to help law firms avoid a potentially damaging pitfall. Persistently failing to answer or return telephone calls that go on to generate a string of concerns or complaints could now add up to a reportable breach of the industry’s regulatory code. While one […]
Legal Eye launches new product for Sole Practitioners
Are you complying with the Code of Conduct? Do you need help in setting up your client care letters, Terms of Business and your file opening procedures? Legal Eye will work with you to draft or amend your client care letters, Terms of Business, policies and procedures. We will ensure they remain up to […]
Japanese Knotweed identification guide published
Specialist Japanese Knotweed removal firm, Environet, have provided a guide to help identify Japanese Knotweed. Japanese Knotweed is an intrusive weed spreading that is spreading rapidly through the UK. Earlier this year the Property Care Association (PCA) in conjunction with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyers (RICS) launched a best practice framework for dealing with […]
myhomemove staff expansion plans
The UK’s largest conveyancing company myhomemove, held its first ever recruitment open evening on 15th May 2013. The organisation has set out ambitious plans to treble in size over the next three years. They currently employ over 400 staff. 105 people from across the East Midlands attended the event. Doug Crawford, Chief Executive of myhomemove, […]
Remortagers attracted to good rates
The latest research from LMS has shown that 66% of those remortgaging in April were doing so to take advantage of lower rates. The company surveyed those choosing to remortgage in April and found that 42% did so to lower their monthly payment. 21% increased the size of their loan. Andy Knee, Chief Executive of […]
New Homes market keeps growing
The latest New Homes Index has revealed the average price for a new home in April 2013 was £236,122. This was a 1.9% increase over the month and a 4.1% annual change. Steven Lees, Director of SmartNewHomes, said: “It has been a very positive spring for developers. The launch of the Help-to-Buy scheme this month […]
Law Society Regulatory Performance Survey results
The Law Society has released the most recent survey results on solicitors’ experiences of regulation. The survey showed that businesses are still struggling with the changing regulatory landscape, with many believing that the current regulatory regime place too greater burden on firms. Firms did however see the SRA’s enforcement under outcomes-focused regulation (OFR) as an […]
New Head of Operations at PLS Solicitors
Commercial and residential property law firm PLS Solicitors have announced the appointment of Tricia Lonorgan as their Head of Operations. Ms Lonorgan was previously Operations Director at Barnett Solicitors. The appointment is part of the plans firms to continue to expand. They have recently moved to larger premises and plan to move again later this […]
Flood Insurance agreement extended for month
Members of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have agreed to extend the flood insurance statement of principles for one month after it expires on 30 June 2013. Both the government and ABI have said they want flood insurance to remain widely available and affordable in the future. The ABI say they will need some support […]
Property demand at new high
According to the latest RICS Residential Market Survey demand for property in April reached its highest level in the last three years. The increase was attributed to the governments Help to Buy scheme. More than 25% more chartered surveyors reported demand for property increasing rather than falling. Supply increased only modestly leaving not enough housing […]
SRA popularity falls
A Law Society survey has found that solicitors are less likely to speak positively of the Solicitors Regulation Authority than they were a year ago. It was not all bad news with poor results also decreasing to the lowest level since the survey started in 2009. Firms were less likely to give good ratings for […]