The broker-focused conveyancing provider Blacks Connect has been appointed to the legal services panel of leading network Ingard Financial Limited. Members of Ingard will now be able to refer business to Blacks Connect, and benefit
SmartNewHomes and Assertz give very different reactions to calls for a 0.25% reduction in interest rates. The Monetary Policy Commision (MPC) is due to announce tomorrow whether interest rates will be altered. The MPC, chaired
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) consultation, regarding the rules governing how solicitors work with financial advisers, will be open until 10 September. Views are sought from all interested parties on three options the SRA has
Santander has commented on its decision to cut several hundred firms from its conveyancing panel, whilst industry backlash continues. Firms right across the country are angry at the news they have been removed from the
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have issued the following warning regarding Acer Solicitors. The email address matthew.shiels@gmx.co.uk and mobile telephone number 07924 551313 are not legitimate contact details for solicitors practice Acer Solicitors. The SRA
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) responds to Santander’s decision to reduce its conveyancing panel. The SLC have joined those expressing disappointment at Santander’s decision to cut its conveyancing panel by several hundred firms. The
The SRA have confirmed that clients’ needs are a vital part of the regulation process for solicitors. They drew attention to the Outcomes-Focused Regulation and in particular the re-written Solicitors Code of Conduct, as evidence
The bank has pledged to lend £5bn by the end of 2012 to first time buyers. This could amount to helping 50,000 people get on the property ladder. In the first six months of 2012
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has started to consider law firms’ nominations for two key roles in the move to outcomes focused regulation. Nominations closed today for Compliance Officers for Legal Practice (COLPs) and Compliance Officers
The Law Society confirmed today that Santander will cut its conveyancing panel by several hundred firms. The cuts are based on the number of transactions firms have carried out specifically for Santander. Firms affected have
On 22 October 2012 the Land Registry will reduce their fees by an average of 10 per cent. They have been able to reduce their fees thanks to the efficiency savings they have made over
UKAR, the state-backed lender that took on Bradford & Bingley and Northern Rock mortgages, has confirmed it has more than 100,000 customers with no credible plan to repay interest-only home loans. The controversial loans, where
Buy-to-let lending has seen a 40% increase in the first half of 2012 compared to 2011, figures from Blemain Finance show. Investment has gradually increased in the last six months for buy-to-let second charge cases,
The firm has declared its financial results for the quarter ended 30th June 2012. Despite a challenging quarter Countrywide Holdings Ltd describes its conveyancing offering as “industry leading”. They saw a 4% increase in
We announced yesterday that HSBC and the Law Society were in the final stages of agreeing the process of incorporating Conyeyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) firms onto its mortgage conveyancing panel. The new process will be
Thomson Reuters today announced that Co-operative Legal Services has selected a Thomson Reuters product to support its front office matter management needs. It’s been a big week for Co-op with the announcement that they are
Lending remains heavily concentrated across the six largest lenders (Lloyds Banking Group, Santander, Barclays, Nationwide BS, The Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC). Lloyds Banking Group tops the 2011 list with a 19.9% market share.
The Law Society and HSBC are in the final stages of agreeing the processes that will ensure that the bank’s systems incorporate all Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) firms onto its mortgage conveyancing panel. The new
In a deal worth £750m the Co-operative Group is set to grow to nearly 1000 branches. The move sees the acquisition of Verde, TSB and Cheltenham & Gloucester brands, in what the BBC’s business editor
The latest Fraudscape Bulletin, which analyses records of the UK’s Fraud Prevention Service (CIFAS), shows that over the last year fraudulent activity has reached new highs. £· 130,706 confirmed frauds were recorded to the National
According to the SmartNewHomes index the average price for a new home in June was £232,292. The index records the price of new homes for sale by region and type of property and is mix
From the Barking and Dagenham Post Nearly £1m is missing after fraudsters targeted a Romford solicitors’ firm, the Recorder has discovered. Fowkes & Son, based on Eastern Road, Romford was holding £1.7m of clients’ money
In the last week many lenders have introduced new deals to the market. Santander is offering a record-breaking five-year fix at 2.99%, to borrowers with a 40% deposit. The deal is extremely similar to HSBC’s
Emma Alsop, a property lawyer with Lanyon Bowdler, has been selected as one of three finalists shortlisted for Young Conveyancer of the Year at the 2012 LFS Conveyancing Awards. This is the launch year for
According to the latest buy-to-let Index from LSL Property Services PLC rents rose in nine out of ten regions of England and Wales in June. These rises marked the third consecutive month of increases, bringing
Research by housing charity Shelter has shown families in the UK are among the worst off in Europe, with one in six people in the UK overburdened with housing costs. The Shelter report uses data
Introduction We welcome again solicitor Mr Anis Waiz who continues his critical review of recent case law. This case raised again the provisions of section 2 of the Law of Property (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1989
According to specialist mortgage broker, Mortgages for Business, 60% of landlords are planning to increase their portfolios over the next six months. With LSL Property Services confirming a third month of rent rises across most
The firm have announced their sponsorship of Olympic rower, Will Satch. Will is part of the Great Britain rowing team and has won a number of medals in the past few years including silver in
The quarterly data on more than 700 legal entities is still being checked by the Legal Ombudsman. A spokesperson for the ombudsman was unable to confirm an exact date but said publication was unlikely to
Whilst confidence in banks has plummeted, a survey of 2,000 adults has shown trust in building societies remains solid. Independent research by the Building Societies Association shows that – 79% of consumers say their trust
It is surprising to many property professionals that there is no longer a requirement for an inked signature in order to create a binding contract. This is more surprising again where the contract relates to