Interview – Mark Evans, Deputy Vice President of the Law Society
In a wide ranging interview Deputy Vice President of the Law Society Mark Evans talks to Today’s Conveyancer podcast host David Opie about his experience of working in property law, and more recently his role as a Tutor at the University Of Law. In October Mark will transition from Deputy Vice President to the role […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – What goes around comes around
It is at this time of year when I reflect on my career. It is the start of a new school year and that always feels more like the start of the year than January. I started my articles in September 1988. On my second day, my principal (now called a training partner) asked me […]
Making Change Part of the Furniture: Lessons from Paul O’Neill and Alcoa
Change is often perceived as a disruptive force, an unwelcome visitor that turns our routines and structures upside down. However, there are powerful examples from history that demonstrate how change, when integrated thoughtfully and systematically, can become as integral to an organization as the furniture within it. One of the most compelling cases is the […]
The client money debate: is the SRA on the right lines?
There’s no escaping the fact that conveyancing firms face a whole host of different issues when it comes to completing any transaction. From dealing with huge peaks and troughs in demand to combatting the risk of fraud and cybercrime, rekeying errors and ongoing client liaison, the challenges are numerous. Treatment of interest gained on client […]
Transforming Conveyancing Processes With Digital
The conveyancing industry has long been burdened by manual processes that lead to inefficiencies, time delays, and potential errors when performing tasks. As a former paralegal, I’ve experienced firsthand the frustrations of traditional conveyancing methods that are no longer fit for purpose. “Digital” is the way to go. Digital solutions offer the ability to transform […]
Extending a Mortgage by 10 Years Will Cost The Average First-time Buyer An Extra £110,640
Online mortgage broker Mojo Mortgages analysed their internal mortgage data and uncovered that the average first-time buyer in the UK is 33 years and 8 months old when they purchase their first home. With an average mortgage term of 30 years, this means that the average first-time buyer won’t pay off their mortgages until they’re 63 […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer: Fall-through Friday
I am acting for a lovely young couple. They are buying their first home together and are very excited about it. This is the second house that they are trying to buy – the first house had a loft conversion with no consents; the usual issues had arisen around the Particulars of Sale indicating the […]
How can conveyancers boost their AML compliance?
The SRA has made no secret of its mission, partly brought on by pressure from the government, to crack down on firms who do not have adequate systems in place to prevent money laundering. Further reform to the SRA’s approach on financial penalties came into force in the middle of 2023. For all firms, where […]
The Diary of a High Street Conveyancer: July 5th 2024
I love the Olympics. I went to the Olympics in London in 2012 and was fortunate enough to be in the stadium when Mo Farah won his second gold medal and the Jamaican relay team broke the world record in the four by one hundred metre relay – that meant that I was lucky enough […]
Base rate cut ‘signals confidence in a continued low inflationary environment’
The industry has come forward to comment on the Bank of England’s base rate cut, saying it signifies a ‘growing confidence’ in a low inflation environment after Labour started to head the UK government. The Bank of England has reduced interest rates from 5.25% to 5%, marking the first decrease since the start of the […]
Peddling to Perugia for mental health
In an effort to raise awareness and funds for mental health research, James Smith, as an Ambassador for the Mindstep Foundation, is cycling over 2,300 Kilometres from his home in London to Perugia, Italy. James is the son in law of Conveyancing Foundation Chairman, Lloyd Davies, and husband of Georgia Davies. The journey, which began […]
CA announces September webinar on Client and Matter Risk Assessments
The Conveyancing Association (CA) has announced an upcoming webinar for member firms focused on client and matter risk assessments, scheduled for September. The session will take place on the 11th September at 10am and is entitled, ‘Client and Matter Risk Assessments: What You Need to Do to Ensure Compliance,’ hosted by industry expert, Norman Denton, Senior […]
Koodoo and Smoove Partner
Koodoo, mortgage technology provider, has announced a new partnership with Smoove, utilising its eConveyancer platform. This collaboration aims to enhance the homebuying process by integrating Smoove’s network of local solicitors and advanced digital platform into Koodoo’s services. This partnership underscores Koodoo’s dedication to leveraging advanced technology to enhance internal efficiency and provide consumers with a […]
The King’s Speech promises legislation that will protect renters and leasehold reform
At the state opening of parliament, the King announced in his speech that renters will have ‘greater rights’ and draft legislation on leasehold and commonhold reforms. MPs made their way to the House of Peers from the commons today to attend King Charles and Queen Camilla for the King’s second speech since being crowned monarch. […]
PEXA opens up doors to integration
Digital property exchange platform PEXA has said it has opened up its doors to industry integration with the launch of a new ‘API Hub’ which provides access to all their available APIs, speeding up and easing customer integrations. Describing the development as ‘significant,’ PEXA UK say the APIs are ‘key to powering the delivery of […]
Leadership Changes as Groundsure starts an Exciting New Chapter
Groundsure, an environmental and climate insights provider, has announced that Malcolm Smith, currently Chief Operating Officer, is to become the CEO with effect from 15th July. The change comes as Dan Montagnani leaves the business to pursue other projects, after 19 years that has seen the business achieve a market leading position and record growth […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer: 24th June 2024
I am acting in the purchase of a house – the buyer has not trusted the seller throughout; you know the case where the seller says he will move into temporary accommodation but then finds somewhere to buy and decides he will tie up the transactions. It happens all of the time and I always […]
Call for urgent reforms as ‘gazumping’ surges to 37%
37% of buyers are being gazumped and this figure has grown by 6% in the last two years, according to new data. The HomeOwners Alliance is calling for an end to the practice of gazumping and recommends that buyers take out Home Buyers Protection Insurance to mitigate the financial loss. Recent research from MFS group […]
Top 5 tips for speedy CON29DW returns
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Drainage and Water Searches Network (DWSN), we are developing a series of webinars delving into the questions contained within a CON29DW search. Our first webinar, Top 5 tips for speedy CON29DW Returns, is now available on the DWSN YouTube Channel and below, which you can also access at […]
Potential changes ahead for conveyancing firms: Bank of England’s Synchronisation Project explored
Members of the CA will have received a discussion paper in May focused on the Bank of England’s Synchronisation Project which might well have implications for the way firms currently send money for completions. The project, if successful, will mean the update to the Bank’s Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) system, due at the end […]
