Simplify acquires Cook Taylor Woodhouse to become number 1 in Greater London
Market-leading conveyancing and property services group, Simplify has today announced the acquisition of Cook Taylor Woodhouse Solicitors as part of an ongoing growth strategy, strengthening its presence in London and the South East and increasing the range of options available for clients and introducers. Cook Taylor Woodhouse Solicitors, also known as CTW, is a top […]
CMA Seeks Further Disqualifications
Following on from the Competition Markets Authority (CMA) successfully disqualifying two Directors from estate agents, it has been revealed that there are further investigations being conducted in the hope of netting further disqualifications. A statement from the CMA read: “The CMA is also seeking director disqualifications in two further separate proceedings before the court. One […]
SRA To Expand Its AML Visits To Continue Competence
In its business plan draft for 2020/2021, the SRA has revealed that in an effort to continue competence, it will be increasing its monitoring of firms’ anti-money laundering (AML) policies. Following a review of its annual business plan, which followed on from the recent publication of its corporate strategy for 2020-2023, the regulator has unveiled […]
Firm Has Real Prospect Of Defence Despite ‘Disastrous Consequences’ Of Action
A Liverpool firm has convinced a judge they have a real prospect of a defence in a summary judgment for exacerbated costs, despite the ‘disastrous consequences’ for the claimant following their breach. Liverpool firm, EAD Solicitors is now in administration, however following the purchase of a property in October 2016, from 199 Molyneux Road Ltd, […]
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 […]