Collapse in renter affordability and bill payment failures show weaknesses in our finances
The government released this data today, within its data covering economic activity and social change titled Economic activity and social change in the UK, real-time indicators – Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk). Renters spend 28.8 per cent of their income on the rent – up from 26.6 per cent a year earlier and 25 per cent […]
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 […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – Don’t Look Back in Anger
What a furore this weekend with the sale of Oasis tickets. I am not a big fan but a friend decided to get tickets and I felt that I lived through the pain of that experience. Initially, he had to register to get tickets but was not lucky enough to get into the pre-sale ballot. […]
The first Bank of England rate cut in four years
At the beginning of August, the Bank of England announced a cut in the base rate of 0.25% from 5.25% to 5% – the first rate cut in four years, although the decision was a narrow one in favour of the cut. So, how has the market responded? There is a report from Rightmove of […]
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 […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer: Every day is a school day
Even having thirty five years’ experience, it is still the case that every day is a school day! There is no way we can know everything about conveyancing. And then we have the clients. Google is a wonderful thing if used correctly but many clients look up what an indemnity policy may be and end […]
Professional Indemnity Insurance – another tricky balance
Whether your firm employs 5, 50 or 500, PI insurance is likely to be, (*sigh*), another significant cost to the business and, (*sigh again*), yet another thing, that is absolutely vital to get right, not only in meeting your regulatory obligations but also to protect you and your clients if (*one more sigh*) things do […]
A warning from abroad
The Home Information Pack was tried in England and abandoned in 2010, apart from requirement of an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). A survey has been a requirement in Scotland since 2008, including an EPC, and ‘Home Reports’ are now an integral part of the conveyancing process. Scottish Home Reports are all prepared by private contractors […]
Climate Change Reporting: a growing focus for commercial law firms?
Meeting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards is now a significant consideration for UK commercial property investors, meaning that compliance will become increasingly important for commercial property law firms in the UK. Unfortunately, an ongoing debate remains about the depth of climate change and the need for energy efficiency reporting. SearchFlow has spoken to some […]
The Importance of Conveyancing Association Membership in Today’s Climate
With the political winds shifting and the Labour Government looking poised to introduce reforms aimed at improving the home buying and selling process, the role of conveyancers could undergo yet more significant change. So now, more than ever, being a member of the Conveyancing Association (CA) is not just beneficial, it is essential. The Benefits of Membership The CA stands as the leading professional body representing […]
Deputy PM Angela Rayner to unveil major planning reforms to build 1.5m new homes in England
The Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner is set to announce sweeping changes to the planning system in England, as part of the Government’s drive to build 1.5 million new homes. Fergus Charlton, a partner in law firm Michelmores’ planning practice, commented on what we know about the government’s plans so far: “Increasing […]
An Accounting Error? Stamp Duty and blurring the boundaries
Law firms and mortgage advisers are increasingly referring clients to ‘specialist advisers’ for advice on their Stamp Duty, but this isn’t without its own problems… “…solicitors deal with SDLT day in, day out, so they should mug up on the subject and deal with it themselves, not abdicate their responsibilities to their client by fobbing […]
From Labour’s perspective- there are no sacred cows
Few can be in any doubt that Labour is keen for 1.5 million homes to be built over the next five years. From Labour’s perspective there are no sacred cows, greenbelt will be built on if housing need requires it, and golden rules will drive the provision of social housing. This is good news for […]
No wonder lawyers don’t rush to embrace technology
As a law firm owner with an unshakeable belief that technology is the only way to support and protect the practice of conveyancing safely and effectively, I find the drip-drip of negativity on social media against this approach rather wearing. That said, I am with Evelyn Hall when she quoted Voltaire as roughly saying “I […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer: 29nd July 2024
I, along with all of you, hate it when I get pages and pages of enquiries , many of which are not property specific, many of which are not relevant and the majority of which just waste my time. In the past, I have received those enquiries where you look at the computer screen and […]
Navigating the King’s Speech – A Cautionary Tale for NIMBYs
In the hallowed halls of Parliament, the King’s Speech reverberates – ‘My Ministers will get Britain building, including through Planning Reform as they seek to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing’. At last, a clarion call to build more homes and infrastructure to strengthen economic growth. Our new Government has made clear its […]
‘Pivotal planning shift to pro-development stance’ comes with warning
Property professionals have commended the government’s commitment to planning reform outlined in the King’s Speech and urged it to ensure that the next steps were taken carefully to avoid ‘industry confusion’ and a surge in planning challenges. Kathryn Jump, partner and living sector co-head at Shoosmiths welcomed planning reform but warned that without a proper […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer: 22nd July 2024
Linkedin has been flooded with talk about the Law Society SGM. But one thing has struck me – it can be summed up by the following quote from Robert Frost: “Half the world is composed of people who have something to say and can’t, and the other half who have nothing to say and keep […]
