The SRA have published the following warning to solicitors. “Information received by the SRA indicates that the website www.bains-cohen.com is not a legitimate website of solicitor’s practice Bains Cohen Solicitors LLP. Bains Cohen Solicitors LLP

In a bid to help home movers across the board, not just first time buyers, Halifax have announced an extension to their Stamp Duty Product to encompass all home movers purchasing property up to a

First time buyers are still struggling to get on the housing ladder.  A shortage of mortgage finance and house prices that are still, despite a decrease, out of reach means that first time buyers are

An increase in the Standard Variable Rate (SVR) from four UK banks could see mortgage customers facing an additional £300 million in repayments over the next 12 months, according to Which?. Mortgage customers of Clydesdale

I went on a course last year called the PSC, for people aiming to qualify as solicitors. My own background is that as a Legal Executive I decided to go further and complete additional examinations

Today is the last chance to enter the LFS Conveyancing Awards — with many firms using the awards to market their firm Richard Mathias of Law Firm Services asks "what better way than being crowned

Quick Move Now’s Donna Houguez comments, in response to the UK’s entrance into a double-dip recession:  “The announcement that the UK has entered its first double-dip recession since 1975, a situation expected to last well

Many have said that the conveyancing market has been open to external investment for some time. Examples have included Countrywide the estate agent working with Countrywide Conveyancing Services and myhomemove investing in Premier Property Lawyers.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is concerned enough about the number of fake law firms being set up that they have issued guidance to the public.  This guidance is aimed at ensuring the public are

SHIP, the trade body for equity release providers, released the market figures for the first quarter of 2012 last week. Total advances were up by 10 per cent, £199.1 million for total advances, compared to

CIFAS tells us that the “age of data-enabled fraud” has arrived.  The first quarter of 2012 saw: – Overall fraud increased by 30 percent, compared to the same period in 2011. – Overall fraud figures

Conveyancing Data Services has highlighted the closing of a VAT loophole by George Osborne in last month’s Budget.   Currently Listed Buildings, including those that are listed as places of worship do not have to

CML figures released this week show a 30% increase in gross mortgage lending in March.  The estimated gross mortgage lending figure is £13.4 billion, up from £10.3 billion in February.  This also represents a 17%

The SRA has this week published the feedback which was received over the consultation over its Financial Protection policy.  This consultation ran for 12 weeks and ended on January 17.  The consultation looked at the

Following from the SRA publication of the second stage of its Financial Protection policy review, the Law Society has called on the Legal Services Board (LSB) to reject the SRA decision to burden the Compensation

A press release issued by Landmark Information Group is warning conveyancers and solicitors to “be aware of the risks” of flash flooding in order that they can better protect their clients, mitigating the risks. According

The fall through rate for house sales in March was just over 30 per cent, according to Quick Move Now, remaining broadly similar for the last three years but double the rate at which house

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)  issued a warning to the profession, back in February, to “think twice before becoming involved in Stamp Duty Land Tax schemes (SDLT Schemes)” but some firms are still advertising that

Conveyancers and lenders are interested in the latest figures when it comes to mortgage fraud and Experian have revealed that fraudulent mortgage applications have risen for the fifth consecutive year.  2011 saw an 8 per

Halifax is the latest lender to join the NewBuy scheme which was launched last month.  It will offer two mortgages to those to wish to use NewBuy to purchase a new build house, and who

Today’s Conveyancer recently spoke to Richard Mathias, founding Director of Law Firm Services, about the upcoming conference.  We asked Richard: How many years has the Law Firm Services conference been going ? This is the

There is now only 1 week left if you want to enter the LFS Conveyancing Awards sponsored by Lloyds Banking Group. Richard Mathias of LFS says “ ticket sales have been amazing with nearly 75

Riliance picks up its 50th client in just four months Riliance, the Chesire based specialist software house has secured its 50th Legal firm in a matter of just four months. Challinors, a national firm with

The Chelsea Building Society has announced that it is enhancing its mortgage range by introducing a range of products with a free valuation and a legal fee incentive.   This follows from a similar range

The Government has appointed architect and television presenter George Clarke as an independent advisor to try to bring thousands of empty homes back into use. Despite there being a housing stock shortage, 720,000 homes are

The Rightmove House Price Index for April has been released today.  It shows that the average property asking price rose 2.9% last month to £243,737.  This is a yearly increase of 3.4%.  This is a

Countrywide has today released the results of its research undertaken with YouGov to highlight the affordability issues that are faced by potential home-movers.  The research covered over 6,000 UK adults and included private rental tenants,

The CML has released its Regulated Mortgage Survey for February 2012.  During the month 36,600 house purchase loans were taken out, with a value of £5.4 billion.  The number of loans taken out rose by

The CML today released the Regulated Mortgage Survey data for February 2012.  The figures show a large rise in the number of first-time buyers taking out mortgages.  First-time buyers took out a total of 14,100

The Conveyancing Association announced last Friday that it had signed up its 50th member since its re-launch in September 2010.  This achievement gives the Conveyancing Association both a critical mass of members but also a

The record numbers of completion associated with Easter and the first time buyer SDLT rush may soon be a thing of the past as new mortgage approvals plummet. Both Connells Survey and Valuation and LSL