COLPs and COFAs: issues with 1,200 nominees
The SRA have revealed that 1,200 nominees did not declare “potentially relevant issues” — including undisclosed criminal convictions, serious disciplinary sanctions and undeclared bankruptcy. A total of 145 firms are facing enforcement action for failing to complete nominations for the positions. A substantial minority of these have also not begun their practicing certificate renewals, and they are […]
1000 firms at risk of Santander panel removal
Up to 1,000 firms have just 59 days left to obtain the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation mark, or risk being removed from Santander’s conveyancing panel. In September last year, the bank changed the terms of its residential conveyancing panel to require all existing, as well as new, member firms to gain accreditation. Existing […]
SRA warning: May, May & Merrimans
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has issued a warning involving con artists claiming to be from May, May & Merrimans. This is the second warning this week relating to a con artists pretending to represent a genuine firm regulated by the SRA. The SRA has been informed that a number of individuals across the country […]
SRA warning: misuse of Alker and Ball name
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned of con artists claiming to be from legitimate law firm Alker and Ball. The public are advised that the e-mail address alkerandball@lawyer.com and the mobile telephone number 01942 366742 are not legitimate contact details for solicitors practice Alker and Ball. Any business or transactions using those details are […]
SRA praised for consumer focus
A Legal Services Consumer Panel report has praised the SRA for making consumers’ lives easier when choosing legal services and understanding their rights. The report is entitled “Empowering Consumers Background Paper 2: learning from other sectors” and available here. Ten themes are used to measure success in the report, which measures policy across a number […]
Risk of negligence due to snow
Conveyancers have been warned of the need to carry out more flood searches to avoid accusations of negligence, as parts of the country face the threat of flood from melting snow. On Tuesday, the Environment Agency said there were currently 50 flood warning across the country — with a further 180 flood alerts. According to […]
STL enhances its online property search ordering platform
STL has enhanced its online order site to help firms take more control of their own search accounts and save a significant amount of administrative time. As well as ordering all searches and indemnities through a single provider, amongst a range of other changes, users can now track the progress of their orders, download their […]
OchreSoft proves hot property for Slater & Gordon Lawyers
Legal workflow specialist, OchreSoft, has announced details of its first win of 2013. It has been appointed by Top 50 law firm, Slater & Gordon Lawyers (S&G) (Formerly Russell Jones & Walker Solicitors), to deliver its Intelliworksâ„¢ Conveyancing software across S&G’s Property team. The project, which has already gone live just five weeks after signing, […]
Move with Us announces partnership with Pattinson Estate Agents
One of the largest panel managers of conveyancing in the UK, Move with Us, has announced a new partnership with Pattinson Estate Agents. The group will partner Pattinson, one of the largest independent estate agency groups in the UK, with 33 offices in the North East. Move with Us manage over 40,000 transactions per year. […]
Insurance gets own aisle in search supermarket
Conveyancing search supermarket ETSOS has brought in a new product line for early 2013 with the addition of title insurance.Users now enjoy one-click access to a range of specialist products via the ETSOS ordering portal, removing the need to go into separate systems or deal with two supplier accounts. The search provider has partnered with […]
Property transactions at five year high
The HMRC have released their latest set of data relating to the number and aggregate value of property transactions in the UK. There were 932,000 completed transactions of a value above £40,000 last year, up 5% from 2011. Sales had increased in the final quarter to 237,000 transactions, a 4 per cent increase on the […]
Mixed reports on remortgage market
According to data from the Council for Mortgage Lenders (CML) monthly gross remortgage lending fell by £404m in December to £2.7bn. This represents a fall of 13.0% from November reversing a strong September and October. The figures also showed a fall of 9.3% in total gross mortgage lending in December, to £11.7bn. This meant as […]
Judge declares laws for co-habiting unfair
In a case last week, Lord Justice Toulson remarked that property laws relating to those co-habiting offered little legal protection to non-married couples whose relationships break down. He referred to a report that was published by the Law Commission in 2007 that recommended current property laws be reformed to give those in cohabiting relationships the […]
SRA consultation on penalties
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has launched a consultation asking for feedback on the fines it can levy against firms and individuals that have breached the Code of Conduct. The proposals look to make the fining criteria more consistent and transparent. If approved, the policy would adopt a three-step approach to determining the level of […]
Conveyancing Awards announced
Law Firm Services Limited has announced they will be hosting the second annual Conveyancing Awards. The awards for 2013 are now open and all firms involved in residential conveyancing are invited to enter. The 2012 awards saw Stephensons LLP crowned overall conveyancing firm of the year. The organisers have stressed that whether a small firm […]
Tomorrow’s Lawyers: An Introduction to Your Future
Sarah Hill Wheeler joins the conversation about Richard Susskind’s new book. Isn’t this just another book about lawyers, written by an Ivory Tower academic? No. True, Professor Richard Susskind is an academic. Adviser to the Lord Chief Justice and Honorary Professor at UCL, Susskind’s specialism is the future of professional services, particularly the impact of […]
Surveyors warn of Green Deal concerns
The Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) has raised concerns over the mechanism and risk to conveyancers, ahead of the launch of the Government’s Green Deal on Monday. Chairman of the RPSA, Alan Milstein, said: “The Green Deal is a strong concept that could significantly help homeowners and tenants to reduce their energy consumption and as […]
It's never to late for a New Year's Resolution
Although January may be coming to an end, it’s not too late to make a New Year’s Resolution. With surface water flooding (caused by heavy rain and thawing snow) set to continue, why not make it your resolution to consider a flood report in every transaction? Why? Well for a start because the UK is […]
Advanced legal apprenticeship announced
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) has announced that it will be introducing a new advanced apprenticeship in legal services. The Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in LegaI will hopefully provide a springboard to qualification as a lawyer. The qualification is being developed in partnership with Skills for Justice and the University of Law, formerly […]
SRA launches review of Solicitors’ Compensation Fund
The SRA has launched a comprehensive two-year review of solicitors’ compensation arrangements. The review will inform future policy decisions. Currently all firms who hold client money contribute to the Compensation Fund. The purpose of the Fund is to replace money that a client has entrusted to a solicitor in his professional capacity, where the solicitor […]
