The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) today announced that it has licensed its first three alternative business structures (ABS) Whilst many won’t be surprised that Co-operative Legal Services are one of the first the other two

Peppermint Technology has launched the “Peppermint App Shop” as an addition to their Legal Service Platform, with the idea behind it being to bring together a “wide range of complementary partner products and services” in

Landmark Information Group have recently launched a new Envirosearch, Envirosearch Prime, for those buyers of high value residential properties with extensive surrounding land. The latest addition to the search offering from Landmark is said to

The development of the Land Registry’s new electronic service, Register Extract Service, has seen them win the top prize in the Delivering Business Value and E-Commerce category at the Real IT Awards. The team picked

The transaction data released by the Land Registry for February 2012 records shows that a total of 1,020,472 applications were made by account holders.  Of these, 224,939 were applications for dealings in registered land.  This

The revised new planning policy framework was published today.  Greg Clark, Planning Minister said that the system in England needs reform as it is too complicated, costly and has “ground ever slower”.  Those councils with

Last November George Osbourne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced in his pre-budget report that the relief for first time buyers from stamp duty land tax up to £250,000 would come to an end last

Last Thursday the Conveyancing Association held its All Member Meeting at the Russell Hotel.  The meeting was sponsored by Moneypenny.  Santander and Lloyds Banking Group addressed the group and explained their thinking to avoid fraud

Up until now the criticism of HSBC’s decision to use only one of 43 firms to act for itself in conveyancing transactions have been held outside of the glare of the consumer media. Trade organisations

The recent budget announcement will see the single state pension amount introduced and the age related allowance frozen which, according to Claire Barker, Chairman of ERSA, will see many receiving less money following retirement and

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) and the Government committed to provide affordable flood insurance to homes in “flood risk” areas, with the Flood Insurance Statement of Principles.  The initial Statement of Principles was agreed

Clydesdale Bank and Yorkshire Bank are backing the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) by restricting membership to its mortgage lender panels in England & Wales to firms with the CQS mark or which are

Rob Hailstone founder of The Bold Group is pleased to announce their first conference which is taking place in Reading on the 19th April. The conference is open to both Bold Group members and non

Conveyancers all over the country are telling me that with the end of the first time buyer stamp duty concession and developers under year end pressure mean that their pipeline of cases are bursting at

In the past most borrowers had some form of fixed term mortgage where the rate was fixed often for 2 or 3 years.  As interest rates fell in late 2009 the incentive to move to

The Chief Executive of the Law Society, Desmond Hudson yesterday released a letter to members with an update on the situation with the HSBC. The HSBC in January announced that it had opted for 100%

The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2011 will come into force on 6 April 2012.  It makes several changes to the existing legislation, and failure to comply with

The NewBuy scheme has now ended. For other schemes, please go to www.helptobuy.gov.uk Last week the government launched the Newbuy scheme. This is an initiative with the aim of helping those buyers who are unable

The latest House Price Index from Rightmove for March 2012 has been published.   The results seem to show a stronger market.  The average asking price for March is £236, 939.  This is a rise

In February the Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) declared a state of drought in South East England following two dry winters. Caroline Spellman, Environment Secretary commented that “more areas are likely to

Leading search provider Searches UK has recently published the results of its survey of those working in the UK conveyancing market.   The survey was conducted in March and used a sample of 700 conveyancing

Awdry Bailey & Douglas Solicitors has selected SOS Connect, from Solicitors Own Software, as its next generation integrated case management system. The new software will support the firm’s goal to provide a more proactive service

Conveyancing Association (CA) members have been working with Lloyds Banking Group for the last six months, to develop the way in which data is collected on panel firms.  Processses and criteria were tested by members

The FSA have produced their Retail Conduct Risk Outlook for 2012.  Martin Wheatley, Managing Direct of the FSA states in the foreword  “It is essentially our view of where the potential dangers lie in the

With little sign that present Government policies are going to generate the growth that will help us repay the mountain of debt owed by the public and private sector leading agents are calling for policies

Following the Society of Licensed Conveyancers’ (SLC’s) recent consultation process, which sourced the profession’s feedback on its new lender panel proposition, the SLC has announced a series of four regional conferences, where the initial findings

Solicitor and Partner Mr. Anis Waiz continues his critical review of case law. Here we look at a very important case arising from alleged mortgage frauds.   Introduction Whilst this is a criminal case, for

Since launching our new site last Monday we seem to have been bombarded with new adverts for conveyancing related jobs. Some big names in the conveyancing market are recruiting including Curwens, Barnetts, BE Legal, TM

Cornelius, R v [2012] EWCA Crim 500 (14 March 2012) Introduction Solicitor and Partner Mr. Anis Waiz continues his critical review of case law. Here we look at a very important case arising from alleged

Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne yesterday spoke on the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show of his plans to target Stamp Duty avoidance in his next Budget.  He confirmed that he will close the loophole and

If you are 30 or under then why not enter the “Young Conveyancer of the Year Award “ at this year’s conveyancing awards 20th September, Ricoh Arena Coventry. The award is sponsored by GroundSure and

Cunningtons have launched a You Tube embedded video into their website to promote and explain the conveyancing process to their clients. As social media and internet marketing changes consumer behaviour the use of videos and