Awdry Bailey & Douglas chooses SOS Connect for next generation case management system
Awdry Bailey & Douglas Solicitors has selected SOS Connect, from Solicitors Own Software, as its next generation integrated case management system. The new software will support the firm’s goal to provide a more proactive service to clients whilst benefiting from closer integration to improve time recording, customer relationship management (CRM) and business performance reporting. The firm has […]
Conveyancing Association members work with Lloyds Banking Group to improve panel data collection
Conveyancing Association (CA) members have been working with Lloyds Banking Group for the last six months, to develop the way in which data is collected on panel firms. Processses and criteria were tested by members and using these tests systems were further developed. This is to be rolled out to the rest of the conveyancing […]
FSA raises risk concerns
The FSA have produced their Retail Conduct Risk Outlook for 2012. Martin Wheatley, Managing Direct of the FSA states in the foreword “It is essentially our view of where the potential dangers lie in the next 12-18 months. Some risks have already materialised and are obvious to all of us. Others have not yet emerged […]
Agents call on Chancellor for housing market support
With little sign that present Government policies are going to generate the growth that will help us repay the mountain of debt owed by the public and private sector leading agents are calling for policies to stimulate the housing market. Grenville Turner, Group Chief Executive of Countrywide, said: “A recovery of the housing market is […]
SLC to present the results from its lender panel consultation
Following the Society of Licensed Conveyancers’ (SLC’s) recent consultation process, which sourced the profession’s feedback on its new lender panel proposition, the SLC has announced a series of four regional conferences, where the initial findings are being presented. Since launching its initial proposition, SLC Quality Assured (SLCQA) to the conveyancing community at its annual […]
Cornelius, R v [2012] EWCA Crim 500 (14 March 2012)
Solicitor and Partner Mr. Anis Waiz continues his critical review of case law. Here we look at a very important case arising from alleged mortgage frauds. Introduction Whilst this is a criminal case, for the purpose of this blog we will examine the issues surrounding the solicitor’s conduct and the role of solicitors in […]
Conveyancing Job market heats up
Since launching our new site last Monday we seem to have been bombarded with new adverts for conveyancing related jobs. Some big names in the conveyancing market are recruiting including Curwens, Barnetts, BE Legal, TM Group and Convey Law. Search Consultancy Ltd a leading specialist recruitment consultancy have also put two adverts up for conveyancing […]
Cornelius, R v [2012] EWCA Crim 500 (14 March 2012)
Cornelius, R v [2012] EWCA Crim 500 (14 March 2012) Introduction Solicitor and Partner Mr. Anis Waiz continues his critical review of case law. Here we look at a very important case arising from alleged mortgage frauds. Whilst this is a criminal case, for the purpose of this blog we will examine the issues surrounding […]
Budget preview – Osborne “coming after” Stamp Duty avoidance
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne yesterday spoke on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show of his plans to target Stamp Duty avoidance in his next Budget. He confirmed that he will close the loophole and said there would be large fines for failure to comply. In the Budget on Wednesday Osborne has promised to […]
Are you the best young conveyancer in the country?
If you are 30 or under then why not enter the “Young Conveyancer of the Year Award “ at this year’s conveyancing awards 20th September, Ricoh Arena Coventry. The award is sponsored by GroundSure and the winner will receive 2 tickets to a west end show and an overnight stay in London. Richard Mathias of […]
Cunningtons Solicitors on You Tube
Cunningtons have launched a You Tube embedded video into their website to promote and explain the conveyancing process to their clients. As social media and internet marketing changes consumer behaviour the use of videos and audio to promote legal services continues to grow. The latest example comes from Cunningtons Solicitors featuring one of their partners […]
Goldsmith Williams cut remortgage costs as SVRs rise
The mortgage press is full of speculation that the remortgage market is about to grow. For many years now consumers have lacked the incentive to remortgage because standard variable rates have been very low and lenders have not been competing to offer better lower priced fixed rates. This may be starting to change with […]
CQS the year ahead
The Conveyancing Quality Scheme was announced at the end of 2010 with the first firms being accredited in February 2011. In its first year we are told 1723 applications have been received by The Law Society, 1247 have been accredited with 742 associated branches making total of 1989 ‘outlets’. The Law Society haven’t provided us […]
Impact of Solicitor fraud on smaller firms
When a lender suffers a loss due to fraud by a solicitor the claim might be against the compensation fund or against the professional indemnity policy depending on the circumstances. Most lenders believe they will never get paid from the compensation fund which is a discretionary fund aimed at covering hardship so they want to […]
Who says the housing market isn't moving?
Today’s Conveyancer has posted six new conveyancing related jobs in the last four days. If you’re on the lookout for a new conveyancing role why not have a look at our job pages.
Optima expand transactional team in Newcastle
Optima the large Bradford based conveyancer and member of the Conveyancing Association have been rumoured to be closing their Newcastle operation which they acquired from McKeags and Dickinson Dees approximately 5 years ago. David Duckworth, Head of Conveyancing, has robustly confirmed that nothing could be further from the truth. Talking exclusively to Today’s Conveyancer David […]
CQS London networking event
PSG , one of the market leading providers of property searches and reports to the Legal and conveyancing profession opened the first of the current series of Networking events for The Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme members in London last Thursday. The main topic for debate was once again Lender Panels and the recent changes […]
DX acquires Nightfreight
DX Group Limited (“DX”), the UK & Ireland’s independent mail, courier and logistics network operator, has today completed the acquisition of Nightfreight. The DX handles over 1 million letters, packets and parcels per day, with a next day service to 99.7% of UK business and residential addresses. Pinsent Masons and Linklaters advised on the acquisition. […]
CML Survey shows rise in mortgage lending
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has released the Regulated Mortgage Survey which shows a 22% year-on-year rise in the number of mortgages taken out. A total of 35,600 mortgages were taken out in January 2012. These loans are worth £5.3 billion, a 23% increase on January 2011. These figures are down 25% on volume […]
RICS Housing Market Survey shows signs that confidence is returning to the property market
The RICS Housing Market Survey February 2012 was released today. The results seem to show a more optimistic view of the performance of the housing market over the next few months. The net price balance for February was -13. This means that 13% more surveyors recorded price falls than price rises. However, the wider […]