The Law Society has welcomed research by the Legal Service Board showing high consumer satisfaction in the legal profession. The research shows over 80% consumer satisfaction with the overall service provided by solicitors and other
In the companies July UK Economic Outlook Report it forecasts house prices will not reach 2007 peak levels until after 2020. The company predicts the damage caused by economic uncertainty and the eurozone crisis
After an open competition, two new non-executive directors have been appointed to the Land Registry Board. Catrina Holme is a corporate lawyer with more than ten years’ experience in the venture capital sector. Land
The Law Society of Scotland says that the introduction of alternative business structures (ABS) in Scotland is still several months away. ABSs (also known as Licensed Legal Service Providers) allow solicitors to set up in
The Law Society has announced that PII broker Aon will provide a professional indemnity insurance (PII) package to legal practices with the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme or Lexcel quality marks. CQS and Lexcel firms
The insurance industry is currently discussing a “flood levy” that could see insurance costs rise by 10 per cent for all home owners, whether they live in flood hit areas or not. It is hoped
Whether its hotels or plumbers consumers are starting to use comparison web sites to seek information on everything they buy. That increasingly includes conveyancing whether conveyancers like that or not. Websites like Money Saving Expert,
Statistics last week produced by Land Registry last week show that 29% of the 4394 account holders firms that made an application for a transfer for value to the Land Registry in May made fewer
Complaints to Legal Services Chief Ombudsman Adam Sampson rose in several areas including residential conveyancing. Whilst a few cases highlighted deliberate dishonesty, this was not the norm. The transformation of the legal services market was
Countrywide, the largest property services group in the UK has today launched a report entitled “Addressing Challenges in the UK Housing Market”. The report urges the government to consider six solutions that it believes will
The SRA has issued another warning to solicitors regarding criminal impersonation of solicitors conveyancers should take note and consider their risk management processes. The alert is worded as follows: Alerts Warning: guy.clapham@gmx.co.uk email address 12
The residential conveyancing sector has been under intense scrutiny over the issue of mortgage fraud and negligence. With mortgage lenders’ assertively reducing the size of their panels as a means to curtail their risk, coupled
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has today launched its new electronic ordering platform. The platform gives SLC members access to conveyancing services and products at discounted rates. The SLC, in partnership with ETSOS, is
Last week the Bank of England published more information about the "Funding for Lending" (FLS) scheme. FLS is a new multi-billion pound scheme “designed to make more, and cheaper, loans available to individuals and businesses".
Banks are cutting back on lending to first time buyers according to the latest Mortgage Monitor from e.surv chartered surveyors. There were just 10,325 loans for house purchases under £125,000 (typical first-time buyer property), a
The Solicitors Regulation Authority Board are contemplating a consultation on the rules which dictate how Solicitors and Financial Advisers work together. Financial Services Authority (FSA) regulations for Financial Advisers are set to be altered at
A new Practice Note from the Law Society will support solicitor firms and sole practitioners in complying with regulatory requirements to collect data on the diversity of their workforce. The SRA requirement is for firms
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has announced a series of regional road shows, which will take place across England this summer. The events will offer all of those involved in the conveyancing profession the
As the Bank of England holds interest rates again the director of Move with Us, the residential property specialist urges the Government to take swift action, to provide a jolt for the property market. Robin
The mortgage market, according to Connells Survey & Valuation, is growing at the “slowest annual rate in two years”. Is the double-dip recession taking its toll? June saw a rise in the total number of
Brethertons LLP has been awarded membership of the Conveyancing Association. The firm, which is based in Banbury, Rugby and London, has become one of only 50 firms nationwide to have been awarded membership. The Conveyancing
The SRA has announced how it will approach the Legal Service Board’s requirement for regulators to gather a more comprehensive evidence base about the diversity characteristics of those working in the legal profession. The
The Law Society of Northern Ireland has sent communications to its members containing guidance for those firms completing conveyancing transactions where the lender is Ulster Bank. The technical issues which were also experienced by
Solicitors and firms can now get help with planning budgets for the next year by accessing the fees calculator on the SRA website. Although the practising fees are yet to be ratified through the Law
Jacksons Law Firm has appointed Terry Saffin as partner with effect from 30 March 2012. The appointment is the second time that Jacksons Law Firm has appointed a Legal Executive as a partner since the
Bank of England figures released this week show that in the first quarter of 2012 the measure of housing equity withdrawal was -£8.8 billion. This is £0.3 billion lower than in quarter 4 of 2011.
In their blog, Mayo Wynne Baxter report that they “are aware of a scam aimed at estate agents and their clients who are absent landlords”. According to the law firm the fraudsters send a fax
Myintroducer.com have today reported on the latest NAEA Market Report, showing a dip in overall sales, during May, to first time buyers of 7 per cent. April’s report showed overall sales to first time buyers
The British Mortgage Awards saw industry leaders crown Sue Spurgeon, Countrywide Conveyancing Services’ Chief Operating Officer, “Conveyancing Business Leader 2012” at a ceremony yesterday, according to 4-traders. Sue’s award is recognition for her “instrumental role”
The Law Society has responded to the Legal Ombudsman consultation on its scheme rules and case fee structure. The Society voices concern over the proposal to extend the jurisdiction of LeO to include third parties
Halifax has reviewed the low cost home ownership (LCHO) sector and affordable housing schemes, looking at shared ownerships, shared equity, resale price covenants and other LCHO arrangements. As Government sponsored schemes aim to help potential
Entries have now closed for the Estate Agents Conveyancing Firm of the Year Award. Richard Mathias of LFS was delighted with the response “ we were taken aback by the volume of votes. We had