Concerns Over Aspiring Solicitors Being Exploited While Completing SQE
The Junior Lawyers Division (JLD), who represent students through to solicitors with five years Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), have expressed concern for up and coming solicitors being at risk of exploitation if they are not paid the minimum wage while they are undertaking the work experience section of the new SQE. Following their worries, The […]
Flooding: “Plan For The Worst” Says Environment Agency
In a stark warning, the Environment Agency (EA) has announced that entire communities might need to be relocated from coasts and rivers. They state that urgent action is needed now for the UK to prepare for an average global temperature rise of 4˚C. In setting out the agency’s long term strategy for tackling flooding and […]
Free Webinar On The Threat Of Cyber Crime & Fraud
Lawyer Checker are hosting a free webinar on Wednesday 15th May at 11.00am where they will cover the key changes to Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) and Lexcel accreditations which require firms to plan and control for the imminent threat of cyber crime and fraud. If it is not already, protecting your firm from the risk […]
The 14-Point Leasehold Pledge And The Freeholder Perspective
In March, 40 house builders and developers signed up to a voluntary 14-point pledge designed to end the practice of unfair and onerous leaseholds. Many of the most influential home builders have committed themselves to the pledge that also includes the Home Building Federation. Throughout the past decade, a multitude of leaseholders have vented their […]
Commercial Conveyancing And Cyber Security: Beyond The Basics
For business leaders in the conveyancing sector, ‘Friday Afternoon Fraud’, whereby cyber criminals intercept emails between a conveyancer and client to steal funds intended for a property purchase, is now a widely understood and recognised risk to law firms and their clients. Indeed, authorities and regulators have made great strides in providing detailed guidance on […]
Firm Appoints First Female Senior Partner in 256 year history
A Midlands’ law firm, Sydney Mitchell, which was founded over 250 years ago, has appointed its first female senior partner. Karen Moores, who has been a partner at the city centre firm since 1998, has taken over the reins from Div Singh who stepped down from his role after 11 years at the helm. Following […]
An Introduction To SRA Handbook Changes
Do you want to hear about the changes to the SRA Handbook that are being introduced in November this year? Legal Eye has produced a webinar which gives an introduction to the SRA Handbook changes and most importantly, what it means for you and your firm. To hear about the changes, please click here. This […]
Midlands Based Conveyancing Firm Expands and Recruits
A specialist Midland’s based conveyancing firm has expanded its empire by moving into new premises and recruiting more talent to its organisation. Tamworth based, Aconveyancing has opened a meeting space in Shirley, Solihull which allows their experienced team to work directly with clients in the Solihull and West Midland’s areas. While celebrating the company’s 2nd […]
Longest Uninterrupted Sequence Of Declining Landlord Instructions Since Records Began
The housing stock entering the UK property market is at its lowest levels since the UK decided to leave the EU in June 2016. Similarly, the decline in landlord instructions has consecutively fallen for almost 3 years, representing the longest continual fall since records began in 1998. According to the RICS UK Residential Market Survey […]
Terrafirma Makes Key Appointment With New Technical Director
– Ground risk specialist continues commitment to technical excellence and education with appointment of new Technical Director – Terrafirma are delighted to announce the appointment of experienced engineer and mine treatment specialist Chris Milne, who has been appointed as Technical Director, reflecting Terrafirma’s continued commitment to technical excellence. Chris is a UK Registered Ground Engineering […]
Government ‘How To’ Guides Emphasise Importance Of Price And Service Transparency
Conveyancer transparency in the home buying and selling sector was emphasised earlier today as the government published their detailed ‘how to’ guides on buying and selling property. The reports emphasise that consumers should be savvy in who they choose to instruct to sell their home. Alluding to recent regulatory changes, the government highlighted that sellers […]
SRA Discipline 26 Firms Following Severe Money Laundering Failings
26 Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) regulated firms out of a sample size of just 59 law firms providing trust and company services (TCSP) have been placed into the SRA’s disciplinary process for inadequate money laundering procedures. The review focused on the creation and administration of trusts and companies on behalf of clients, an area of […]
MPs Consider Banking Bill Regulations Trapping Mortgage Prisoners
A Conservative MP, passionate about helping the plight of mortgage prisoners, has convinced parliament to discuss the Banking (Consumer and Small Business Protection) Bill in a bid to persuade government to increase the help and power offered to those trapped in their mortgage. Meeting yesterday, MPs discussed amendments to strict affordability assessments that should consider […]
FCA Amend Standards Hindering Buyers From Finding Ideal Mortgage
The way customers choose their mortgage could be about to change following the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) proposals to its mortgage sales requirements. Making up one section of the previously published Mortgages Marketing Study, the package of remedies are focused on making the job of linking a customer to their perfect mortgage, that is right […]
Brits Confident In Buying Property Infested With Japanese Knotweed
Nearly a third (32%) of Brits who are aware of Japanese knotweed are still prepared to buy an affected property, according to new YouGov research commissioned by Environet UK. However, those buyers who would be willing to purchase the property with knotweed present would offer a reduced price. Japanese knotweed is no longer a guaranteed […]
Geodesys Reveals 85% Growth In Uptake Of Combined Risk Reports
Leading provider of conveyancing searches, Geodesys has identified the popularity of a new type of property search. Since Combined Risk searches came to market in 2016, they have seen an 85% increase in orders for this type of report. Combined Risk searches cover a number of key risks, making it a lot easier for conveyancers […]
Landmark Information Group Announces Senior Appointments And Promotions
Landmark Information Group, the property, land and environmental data specialist, has today announced four senior appointments, which includes three internal promotions to managing director positions. Ben Robinson has been promoted to managing director of Landmark’s Estate Agency Services division having instrumentally grown the division over the last four years. Ben originally joined the Group following […]
Unique Commercial Environmental Report For Small Business Retailers Launched
Future Climate Info, the Innovative environmental data provider, has today launched a new environmental risk report dedicated to the specific needs of retailers and small businesses. Until now, Commercial property lawyers have had to purchase large, frequently over complex data reports that covered an often unnecessary wide area that would not be relevant for the […]
Technical Specialists Appointed To Ready Land For Future Builds
Homes England have appointed technical specialists to help facilitate three national framework panels as the government prepare to ensure more public sector land, both brown and green belt, is fit to build upon. Homes England is looking to support the public and private construction sector where building of new homes is being delayed and hindered […]
Property Savers Not Flying The Nest Until 35-Years-Old
Flying the nest has never been more difficult for young UK adults saving for a property, as over half of the adult population, over the age of 35, still live in their family home. A new report, by Trussle, has highlighted the increasing difficulty of saving and purchasing property in the current climate with 58% […]
