I was reminded this week of the world in which we live as conveyancers and the language we use which is specific to our role.
I had sent a report on the Local Authority search to my client and had mentioned that there was an entry relating to building works. This sent the client into a panic as he was worried that his neighbour was able to come onto his property and carry out building works.
I had to explain that the use of the word “entry” did not mean “entry” in the sense that the client thought, but that it meant that there were notes/details on search and us conveyancers call that an entry.
I thought about other times when interpretation of common words has led to hilarity. One that causes considerable confusion in conveyancing is “tenancy”, as in joint tenancy or tenancy in common. The client thinks that “tenancy” is to do with rental of a property as opposed to legal ownership.
One of my favourites was when a client of a neighbouring firm came to my office to swear a document. We all know what swearing a document entails. A client does not.
Upon arrival, the client told me he had made the wrong choice in coming to see me as I looked far too nice to be sworn at and perhaps he should choose a different firm. He thought that because he had been told that he was to swear in front of me, that it meant that he was to use obscenities in front of me as he signed the document!
But my favourite was when a former client called me to say that his new partner had to execute a document… I leave that one with you.
