Countrywide Begins ‘Phased’ Re-Opening
Countrywide have announced they are beginning a ‘phased’ approach to re-opening their branches, after the Government gave the green light for the English property market to re-open after weeks of reduced activity in lockdown. The large corporate agent, however felt the need to defend it’s position in the way it was opening it’s branches, when […]
Celebrity Law Firm Hit By Ransomware Attack
A New York based law firm, Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, who are predominantly used by the world’s rich and famous, have suffered a substantial cyber attack. The cyber criminals claim to have access to over 756 gigabytes of the law firm’s and its client’s personal data, including legal contracts, personal email accounts and email […]
BREAKING NEWS: Furlough Extended Until October
The Government has just announced an extension of the furlough scheme to October with no changes before end of July. Details of changes after that will be provided by the end of May but are likely to require an employer contribution. The Chancellor confirmed employees will continue to receive at least 80% of salaries and […]
Lockdown Hasn’t Dampened Walker Foster Office Opening
Samantha Worsman has been appointed as the new Director of Walker Foster’s new office, which has been remotely opened in Settle, North Yorkshire. Mark Cannon, a solicitor with experience in wills, probate and lasting power of attorneys will join Samantha in the new office. Samantha Worsman, said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have been given […]
Covid-19 Cash Flow Issues Impacting Legal Sector
During these uncertain times, the worry about how the UK economy will cope and recover from the Coronavirus pandemic has been talked about by many. Whilst firms are attempting to consolidate their cash flows and ensure they can recover and hit the ground running when the UK comes out of lockdown, it seems it’s becoming […]
Lawyer Checker’s Inaugral Lockdown Quiz Winner Announced
Here at Lawyer Checker, we understand the need to retain human contact during these difficult times of social isolation and were proud to host our inaugural ‘Lawyer Checker’s Lockdown Quiz’ last week. The quiz took place on Thursday April 30 with over 20 people actively participating. The diverse group of legal professionals and suppliers were […]
Ask an expert: Peter Ambrose, The Partnership
Although the government remain coy on precisely when the UK economy will be relieved from lockdown measures, many cabinet insiders have intimated that estate agents and the property sector will be amongst the first to re-open their doors. Therefore, for stakeholders in the property market who could lose up to 35 per cent of their […]
Union Says Home Working Should Not Be Just For Fee Earners
The Legal Sector Workers Union (LSWU) has stated that in the current circumstances home-working should not just be for fee-earners, and that those who are working at home should “show solidarity” with their administrative staff who have not been allowed to work from home. The Union expressed outrage last week at the “classist allocation of […]
Westminster City Local Land Charges Team Wins Accolade
Solicitors choose Westminster City Council to win the Customer Satisfaction Award at the 2020 Land Data Local Land Charges Awards and Arun District Council were highly commended. The Local Land Charges team at Westminster City Council received the highest number of votes from solicitors and licensed conveyancers in the Customer Satisfaction category at last week’s […]
Vacation Schemes Being Postponed And Offices Closing
The firm Linklaters has announced that it is postponing its first-year insight scheme due to rising concerns regarding the corona virus outbreak. The firm, described by Legal Cheek as demanding but “top quality” in its training experience, has taken the decision to postpone its first of its two spring insight schemes at its London office, […]
Property Row Results In Agent Paying Reservation Fee
A property row has resulted in an agent paying a ‘non-returnable’ reservation fee to a client, who believed they’d bought a property at auction. The Sunday Times reported that one of their readers believed they had made a successful bid of £83,000 for a property in Newport, South Wales at an online auction. After successfully […]
Marking International Women’s Day In The Conveyancing Sector
Yesterday marked International Women’s Day which celebrates and highlights women’s achievements throughout history and how far we have come in gender equality since the Sex Disqualification Act was passed in 1919. Even though gender equality has advanced since the Act there is still a clear gap between women in law and women in senior leadership […]
Technological Pace Is UK’s CEOs Key Threat
UK’s CEOs key fears in 2020 has been confirmed to be economic uncertainty and the speed of technological advancements according to a 2020 global research on businesses. The 23rd CEO Survey was conducted by PwC who interviewed 1,581 CEOs in 83 countries between September and October 2019. UK CEOs expressed concerns over the fast pace […]
Magic Circle Law Firm Reveals High Retention In Qualifying Trainees
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s head count keeps growing as they retain nearly all of their qualifying trainees for spring 2020. Founded back in 1743, the firm has confirmed it will retain 90 per cent of its newly qualified talent by making offers to 36 out its 39 qualifiers. Legal Cheek said that “Freshfields became the first […]
Scottish Lawyer Struck Off Roll
Alistair Bowie, aged 69, has been struck off the solicitors’ roll after being found guilty of ‘professional misconduct’ over his failure to act in his client’s best interest. Mr Bowie, acted on behalf of a 70-year-old client, however, he transferred the title from the client’s home over to an Edwin McLaren. It transpired later on […]
First Apprenticeship Yields Chartered Legal Executive
Nowadays, there are many routes you can take to learn and earn qualifications. Historically, the legal sector has predominantly taken the route of university qualifications, it has taken a big leap in recent years, as it was announced at the start of this month, that an apprentice had qualified as a chartered legal executive. Evie […]
Finalists Announced For National Paralegal Awards
The Professional Paralegal Register have announced the finalists for the prestigious National Paralegal Awards, which will be taking place on Friday 27th March 2020. Karen Babington, Director at the Practical Vision Network, was selected as a judge for the awards, and helped whittle down the nominees list. The finalists are from 16 individual and business […]
New Recruits Announced At Adkirk Law
Kieran Egan and Anna Sparrow have joined the specialist conveyancing firm Adkirk Law. The Preston-based law firm specialises in conveyancing, fraud and regulatory law. Anna joins the firm with 13 years experience, having previously worked at Stephenson’s Solicitors and Slater and Gordon as a conveyancing solicitor. Whilst at Adkirk Law, Anna will focus on freehold, […]
Japanese Knotweed Expansion For CEL Solicitors
Japanese Knotweed has been hitting the headlines again recently. Due to the problems this invasive plant brings to the conveyancing process, Liverpool-based law firm CEL Solicitors has expanded its core service lines. The firm have hired Mark Montaldo, to head up their Japanese Knotweed claims offering. The firm also specialises in housing welfare and data […]
Moneypenny Becomes Industry Partner To Propertymark
Leading outsourced communications provider Moneypenny has become an industry partner to the UK’s foremost professional body for the property industry, Propertymark. Propertymark encompasses ARLA Propertymark, NAEA Propertymark and NAVA Propertymark and comprises more than 18,000 members across the UK. The partnership will see Moneypenny, which provides telephone answering and live chat services to more than […]