Scam Alert Round up 8th August
Here are the latest scam alerts as issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority Emails from a “Clive Henry Solicitors” and “CHS Solicitors” A member of the public says they have received an email with supposed immigration documents claiming to be from a Mr Clive Henry of CHS Clive Henry Solicitors. The email asks the recipient […]
No sides taken
Conveyancers on both side of a transaction found liable for loss
SLC call for scrapping of Stamp Duty
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers have called for the scrapping of SDLT, saying that doing so would help create a more buoyant and vibrant property market. The SLC call echoes that of right wing think tank the Taxpayers Alliance who have also called for the scrapping of HS2 and the so-called Sugar Tax on soft […]
Two thirds of tenants in Carlisle block living in wrong properties
A man in Carlisle has been living in the his neighbour’s flat for six years completely unbeknownst to both. When he came to sell the flat, Chris Meyer discovered that while he thought he’d bought one property, it turned out he owned an entirely separate flat. After contacting his neighbours, it turned out ten out […]
Revealed: the top reasons Land Registry rejected applications
These are the most common reasons why Land Registry rejected applications over the last twelve months. The most common reason listed was “defective application” followed by “identity information not supplied for all parties by conveyancer” – responsible for nearly a quarter of all rejections. Land Registry say less than 1% of applications are rejected. According […]
SearchFlow comments on the new BoE base rate
SearchFlow Director comments on Bank of England reduction of base rate to new record low of 0.25%
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 0.25%
The Bank of England has cut the base rate to 0.25%, the first time the rate has been changed in seven years. The previous rate of 0.5% was already a historic low. Many central banks across the world have already resorted to negative interest rates. MPC vote to cut #BankRate to 0.25% and for a […]
Solicitors’ firms should be treated equally to ABS firms says Law Society
Regular firms should be on an equal footing with Alternative Business Structure firms according to the Law Society. It comes as part of a response to a consultation on reducing barriers to entry for ABSs into the legal sector Law Society chief executive Catherine Dixon said: “The Law Society is supportive of ABS, they provide […]
Time to enhance clients’ fraud protection
It’s quite probable that you and your colleagues know your phishing from your smishing from your vishing, that you’re well aware of the threats from malware and ransomware, that you’re au fait with the numerous ways in which fraudsters – online or otherwise – are targeting your business each and every day. That’s clearly a […]
Slough and Manchester top for foreign property investment outside London
Slough and Manchester have the highest density of foreign property investors according to research by Search Acumen. Land Registry lists nearly 100,000 (99,345) freehold or leasehold titles across England and Wales as being owned by foreign-registered businesses, including 675 within Slough’s ‘SL’ postcode area. Search Acumen’s analysis compares this to the number of addresses within […]
Search provider Index awarded NLIS channel license
Index Property Information have been awarded a NLIS channel license by regulator Land Data. The company joins the two existing live NLIS channels, SearchFlow and Thames Water Property Searches in providing authoritative electronic land and property information through NLIS to the conveyancing profession. With 23 regional offices the company say they are one of the […]
What really matters for conveyancing clients?
The first in our SRA Risk Outlook series, looking at access to services and how clarity is the best policy.
Total turnover of CLC firms doubles over four years
The combined turnover of CLC-regulated practices has more than doubled since 2011. According to figures released by the CLC the combined turnover of all practices regulated by the body was was £93,421,038 in 2011. They say that by 2016 this had increased to £197,940,246. However according to the CLC the turnover of the average firm […]
Environmental searches: a simple solution to the complex issue of flood risk
In June, we witnessed flash flooding on an almost biblical scale. In parts of Southern England, cars were caught in rising floodwaters and businesses were forced to close as almost a month’s worth of rainfall fell in just one hour. There are many common misconceptions around flood risk. When we think of flooding, there’s a […]
Conveyancing Association calls for reform of leasehold transactions
The Conveyancing Association has called for an overhaul in how leasehold transactions are processed. The CA have listed a number of recommendations which they think will end the significant delays and overcharging that takes place. With a growing number of leasehold transactions taking place each year across all UK regions – 260,000 in 2015 up […]
Right to Invest launched in Barking and Dagenham
An east London council has moved a step closer to being the first in the country to offer its council tenants the opportunity to take up shared ownership of their council property. The Right to Invest Scheme has now been running for a month and aims to provide affordable home ownership option for council tenants […]
Law Society unveil Annual Excellence Awards shortlist
The shortlist for the Law Society’s 10th annual Excellence Awards have been announced with 89 nominations for firms and 49 nominations for individuals across 17 categories. The society say the awards are a recognition of the commitment, enthusiasm and passion that solicitors dedicate to serving their clients, and – in the process – underpinning England […]
Review of standards in the legal sector
Legal service mystery shoppers give their views on solicitors, with shocking results.
The challenges and implications of the General Data Protection Regulation
General data protection regulation will become law in July 2018 and will affect every organisation that processes EU residents’ personally identifiable information. Philip Tansley, Legal Director for Technology and Cyber Risk at RPC LLP, on the regulators views and the claims that are shaping those views. The effect of Brexit upon GDPR remains to be […]
Scam Alert Round up 1st August
Here are the latest scam alerts as issued by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
