£200m suspicion on money laundering passed to NCA
A report released by the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA)has revealed that the agency has reported suspicious activity equating to more than £200m to authorities in the last 12 months. 26 suspicious activity reports were sent to the National Crime Agency (NCA) in the year to the end of October 2020. 266 matters were escalated to […]
Six months till the arrival of SQE
The six-month countdown has begun until the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) introduces a new route to qualifying as a solicitor – the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). There will be a gradual transition to the new system, but solicitors need to get up to speed on the changes that are coming. From September 2021, aspiring solicitors […]
HMLR Practice Guide updates: PG27 & PG49
Here are the latest practice guide updates issued by HM Land Registry. The leasehold reform legislation (PG27) Page summary: Advice for conveyancers on the land registration aspects of the exercise of rights under leasehold reform legislations (practice guide 27). Change made: Section 7 has been amended to emphasise the need for a certificate to be […]
Conveyancers urge industry to manage client expectations over SDLT
Conveyancing firms are encouraging the industry to set homemover expectations accordingly when it comes to the extension of the SDLT holiday. Speaking to a number of readers Today’s Conveyancer understands many estate agents are advising new homemovers that they will be able to sell before the next deadlines in June and September. But the reality […]
Law Society Awards now open!
The Law Society Awards 2021 are now open for entries with 20 categories to choose from, covering individual, team and firm awards. “After an extraordinary year, it has never been more important to celebrate the outstanding work of our profession,” said Law Society of England and Wales president I. Stephanie Boyce. “Solicitors play a vital […]
British Conveyancing Awards deadline is on Wednesday
Time is ticking to get your entries in for the inaugural British Conveyancing Awards, with registrations for submissions closing on Wednesday 7th April. Those who have registered have until midnight on Friday 9th April to submit their entry, before the judging process begins. The awards are presented by Today’s Conveyancer alongside headline sponsor Lawyer Checker, […]
The evolving requirements of a law firm’s website
Digital Marketing expert, Sam Borrett, director of Legmark, the specialist legal marketing agency, addresses why a website is more important than ever. Many potential clients start their search for a law firm online and a website should act as an extension of your firm’s physical office. Translating that experience, the questions they ask and how […]
Caring for an industry under pressure
Written by Scott Bozinis, CEO, InfoTrack UK Over the past few weeks, new buyers have been entering the market, eager to complete on a sale before the new deadline passes. While this is something that companies across the property sector will celebrate, particularly after multiple lockdowns have harmed business activity, we should also acknowledge the […]
Conveyancers reminded fast track ‘expedite’ service still available
HM Land Registry (HMLR) wants to remind conveyancers that they are still able to expedite an outstanding application, enabling urgent applications to be processed within 10 working days, for no extra charge. In the first two months of the year, data released by TwentyCi has revealed that over 56,500 housing transactions have fallen through. The […]
Changes to non-resident SDLT from 1st April 2021
Yesterday, 1st April 2021, there was a change to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) for non-residents of the UK who purchase property in the country. The new measure means an additional 2% surcharge will be applied on existing SDLT rates for non-UK residents. The surcharge will also apply to some UK resident companies controlled directly […]
ALEP Director warns that cladding crisis will not necessarily cut costs of enfranchisement
A Director of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) has warned leaseholders that the cladding crisis is unlikely to reduce the cost of purchasing their freehold. Up to 11 million people in Britain may live in properties with fire safety issues, facing not only physical fears for their wellbeing but financial concerns about paying […]
How to bring balance and stability back to the legal workplace
This Spring, law firms across the UK have been preparing for the imminent challenges of a safe return to office life. As more law practices begin to welcome back their hibernating staff, it is becoming clear that finding the middle ground – where practicality and caution can coexist – requires not a compass but a […]
Demand softens as buyers put transactions on ice
Andy Sommerville, Director at Search Acumen, says: “This latest data shows activity in the property market started to level off ahead of the end of the initial Stamp Duty holiday. “The slide in property prices has been partly driven by buyers putting transactions on ice until greater certainty over whether the SDLT holiday would be extended […]
Two million people are mortgage prisoners due to cladding issues
Statistics revealed by law firm Irwin Mitchell in their report focusing on cladding has revealed that almost two million people are mortgage prisoners thanks to cladding issues. Cladding: A Way Forward has been compiled by residential property experts across the sector which comes complete with a ten-point plan on what can be done to help […]
Your chance to help The Law Commission to shape Law Reform
The Law Commission has announced its 14th Programme of Law Reform and is asking for contributions to help shape the priorities for the next three to four years. A statement from the Law Commission reads: “The Law Commission carries out law reform projects with the aim of making the law fair, modern, simple and cost-effective. […]
