The Ombudsman’s Corner: January 2023
Happy New Year everyone and welcome to the first “Ombudsman’s Corner” of 2023. In the last column, I set out details of the changes we are making to our Scheme Rules on 1st April 2023 with regards to our time limits. This time, I am going to explain how we are changing our rules in […]
#BCAwards2023 | Sponsor Spotlight: Conveyancing Foundation
The third edition of the British Conveyancing Awards is just around the corner. Alongside a new, larger venue and a new headline sponsor in Groundsure, #BCAwards2023 is all about recognising and rewarding the herculean efforts of conveyancing superheroes who, despite hurdles aplenty, continue to go above and beyond to help clients move into their dream […]
Law firms in a race against time: Embrace digital solutions or risk being left behind
As the banking industry leads the way in the shift towards digitisation, legal experts are warning law firms to prepare for a similar trend in their industry. Latest economic forecasts suggest that banks will vanish completely from high streets by 2027, with Halifax and Lloyds leading the way with branch closures. This trend is likely […]
Diary of a high street conveyancer: 23rd January 2023
I have been thinking this week about how specialised conveyancing has become and how we need to know so much about such a large area of practice. It reminded me of a transaction I had some time ago which was in fact like an exam question: A young couple were buying a property together. We […]
Confessions of a cyber conveyancer: Alan Turing, Quality Street, and AI conveyancing
Now we’re officially past the point when we should be wishing people a Happy New Year, it’s time to get back to the real world. The good news is the initial signs from the property market are that it’s nothing like the car crash that the media have been predicting. So no surprises there, then. […]
Experts discuss how to reduce time between sale agreed and exchange of contracts
Five industry heavyweights provide insight on how to streamline homebuying process Property chain progression software providers, ViewMyChain recently sought the expertise of key figures from across the property industry to discuss the hot topic so many are seeking the answer to: “How do we fix the homebuying process?” Participants included Peter Ambrose, Managing Director from […]
Epidemic of mergers continues throughout the sector
Further mergers between law firms have been announced, whilst a declining numbers of firms have also been revealed. IBB Law LLP and Owen White Solicitors have announced a merger, as of the 1st of January. This will result in a combined amount of 36 partners, 100 lawyers, and £24m in annual turnover. The firm will […]
How will the FCA’s new greenwashing regulations affect the housing sector?
Last week the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) announced its plans to crack down on greenwashing with new regulations, including how green terms like ESG, Green or sustainable can be used and sustainable investment product labels. What’s considered greenwashing? Greenwashing is when an organisation markets itself as environmentally friendly without minimising its environmental impact. It’s classed […]
Diary of a high street conveyancer: 14th November 2022
I have been thinking whether there is any other item we buy which has a similar process to buying a house. For example, take a tin of beans. This is often cited when saying, “Well, buying a house is not like buying a tin of beans.” Well, imagine if buying a tin of beans was […]
ICO fines and NCSC warnings…
There has been an increase in the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) activity in recent weeks which makes law firms and their clients sit up and take notice. ICO fines company £4.4m after cyber-attack and issues a stark warning: “Biggest cyber risk is complacency, not hackers.” On 24th October the ICO fined Interserve Group £4.4m for failing […]
UK Finance calls for EPC overhaul and SDLT cuts for energy efficient homes
UK Finance has released a new report proposing radical action to achieve a Net Zero housing stock in the UK. The report, “Net Zero Homes: Time for a reset”, calls for a “strategic reset” in the way all actors, particularly government, tackle the climate change challenge. It also looks to provide solutions to rising energy bills and […]
We cannot tar all leaseholders with the same brush
When it comes to the perceived abuse of leaseholders and what might be termed a dereliction of duty over the years by various stakeholders, there might be a temptation to throw every single one collectively “under the bus”. However, I think it’s important – particularly for the public and leaseholders at large – to consider […]
Conveyancing fees: What happens if case volumes fall?
With the data suggesting the affordability squeeze is taking its toll on the market, it is only natural that conveyancers ask the question: “what happens to our fees?” By many accounts, the conveyancing industry has “fallen into the price cutting trap” during previous downturns, making it difficult for firms to keep fees high while their competitors […]
Diary of a high street conveyancer: 24th October 2022
It was interesting to see the results of the poll for the points I raised last week about conveyancing fees. I was pleased to note that most firms were not intending to reduce their fees even if the market slowed or dipped. However, it was disappointing to see that many who answered thought that firms […]
The Ombudsman’s Corner: 24th October
Release of file as a remedy to resolve a complaint We are often asked by complainants to direct their service provider to release papers to them – either specific documents, or their entire file of papers. There are a number of reasons for this – perhaps the complainant wishes to pursue an appeal or further […]
15 years at the coalface of conveyancing searches
In the latest Today’s Conveyancer podcast David Opie is joined by Scott Reece. With a background in the installation of technology in medical practices, Scott (by his own admission) was somewhat of a novice when he and his wife joined the X-Press Legal Services network in 2007 in a complete change of scenery. Their franchise […]
How to get paid your true worth in turbulent times
With soaring prices all around You must keep your feet on the ground Getting paid your true worth is absolutely key So you can look after yourself and your family It may be a bit naff but it’s mine. I thought it was a bit of fun with a serious message behind it. For best […]
The differences between digital and electronic signatures and how best to implement them
In this podcast, Alttaf Hussain and Valentina Dotto of Yoti join host David Opie to discuss electornic and digital signatures. At a time when the digitisation of legal services is under scrutiny, Alttaf and Valentina discuss the various types of electronic and digital signature available and walk us through the terminology. They also provide some […]
Could estate agents be the catalyst to improving the home buying and selling process?
Conveyancer and the conveyancing process bashing is de rigueur at the moment and has been for some while. However, maybe the first step in improving matters could (should?) come from those who have the first foot through the door, i.e. estate agents. The number of I’s that need dotting a T’s that need crossing by […]
Diary of a high street conveyancer: 10th October 2022
There have been many interesting articles published this week about the property market, and there was one item I read which I wanted to mention. I started my Articles in September 1988, and I remember on my first day having to fill out tax returns to enable people claim MIRAS tax relief. I have to […]