Undertakings, Advice and Information – Key Recent Developments in Residential Conveyancing
There have been two recent cases which generate issues going to the heart of the conveyancing process. The first issue relates to the giving of undertakings. The case of Harcus Sinclair LLP v Your Lawyers Ltd [23.07.21] raises the important practical point of from whom an undertaking can be received. The case throws into focus […]
Why does Planning matter?
Why does Planning matter? Change is inevitable. We don’t always like it, and some may oppose it. It’s not really being told about the change that should concern us but how we understand it within the bigger picture and whether that change will have an impact, be that good or bad. Ignoring the future to […]
CMA to get new powers of enforcement
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has announced a major shake-up of the Competition and Markets Authority’s powers. The CMA has been instrumental in the drive toward greater pricing transparency for consumers and more recently has intervened in the leasehold ground rents scandal that has resulted in Aviva and Persimmon Homes announcing they would remove certain terms […]
Right first time; new form for restrictions in the register
In-form-ed Consent: Use new form RXC to comply with restrictions in the register The story: You’ve been working for months on a deal that required the cooperation of the seller’s ex-husband, the management company or a risk-averse mortgagee. It’s been fraught with difficulty, you’ve finally completed it and submitted the disposition for registration, only to […]
Law firms in SRA firing line over AML failures
The fines levied by the SRA on 13 firms in recent weeks continue to demonstrate a fundamental lack of understanding around responsibilities when it comes to the money laundering regulations. The firms in question had failed to comply with their procedural responsibilities to provide their firm-wide AML risk assessment and delayed their AML declarations. In […]
A Guide To Understanding Easements
This guide will assist you in the communication and understanding of Easements between all involved parties, whether client, buyer, or seller. This guide will cover the following sub-topics: What is an Easement? Why are Easements important to the buyer? Where do you find Easements? Types of Easements and how they are created? Can an Easement […]
Single digital ID a step closer
The government have published plans designed to enable the production of a single digital identity for everyone, for the purposes of providing ID verification for activities such as buying alcohol through to purchasing a home. A consultation will seek input on three key questions the governance system to oversee digital identity and and make sure […]
Japanese knotweed – what is it and what are the risks to homeowners?
What is Japanese knotweed? Japanese knotweed is a rapidly spreading weed that is native to East Asia but arrived in Europe in the 19th century. Sometimes mistaken for bamboo, Japanese knotweed can grow up to 3 metres deep and up to 7 metres across and above ground can reach heights of 2-3 metres. Knotweed will […]
Data retention is top privacy concern for businesses
Latest findings from the DPO Centre and the Data Protection World Forum (DPWF) UK Data Protection Index show that data retention is now the biggest privacy concern facing organisations in Q2 of this year. The index, which surveys an extensive panel of over 400 UK Data Protection Officers’ (DPOs) for their opinions on evolving industry […]
Flood Risk: Are we doing enough to protect ourselves and our assets?
Written for OneSearch by Mark Taylor, Channel Manager at Landmark Information and environmental auditor with the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment. Flood Risk: Are we doing enough to protect ourselves and our assets? A flood is the most effective and indiscriminate ‘burglar’ there is. It will take everything you have, including items of […]
Conveyancing Association seeks Government legislation to deliver leasehold reform
The Conveyancing Association (CA), the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry, has today (12th July 2021) urged the Government to move ‘further and faster’ in terms of delivering the leasehold reform it has previously promised. The Association has outlined a number of measures that the Government has yet to action into legislation despite previous […]
Holy risk profile, Batman!
Has there ever been a time more fraught with difficulty for your friendly neighbourhood lawyer? KAPOW! Connectivity and technology issues. As the pandemic struck, firms had to adapt speedily to have people working remotely from each other, and from their clients. Many were not prepared to do anything other than […]
The rise of the digital signature
Compared to other professional services, the legal sector has historically been a slower adopter of technology, predominantly due to risk-averse practitioners, the partnership and billable hours model – promoting the slow sifting of precedents and casework, along with minimal time to explore the adoption of new technology and learn new tools. Today, thankfully, the legal […]
Chancel Indemnity insurance – What is the risk and do you still need it?
What is chancel repair liability? Chancel repair liability is a legal obligation on some property owners in England and Wales to pay for repairs to the local parish church. The historic right to impose these charges goes back hundreds of years and was often thought it was unlikely a church could force property owners to […]
Free Fraud and Cyber-Crime Prevention Webinar
poweredbypie, a Dye & Durham company working together with Lawyer Checker, is inviting conveyancers to a free fraud and cyber-crime prevention webinar to be held on 22 July 2021 at 11am. For further information or to register please see: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4575261812902315790 Tom Lyes Director of Engagement, Lawyer Checker confirms: “Cyber-crime is a growing issue for conveyancers […]
Legal sector experts team up for cyber security
Renowned legal sector risk mitigating provider Lawyer Checker is partnering with the lawyer referral scheme Lawshare on Tuesday 13th July at 10am to host a Cyber Security Prevention webinar. Since the global pandemic, the huge adaption to home and hybrid working has unfortunately coupled with a further growth in cyber-criminal threat. Lawyer Checker has tracked […]
Conveyancing Association urges consumers to check with conveyancers on leasehold house cases
The Conveyancing Association (CA), the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry, has urged consumers to contact their conveyancers if they bought a leasehold house between 2000 and October 2015. This call follows the initial success of an industry campaign to deliver a fairer system and outcomes for those who have bought leasehold houses over the […]
CLC confirms 6 practices close due to PII fiasco
The CLC has today responded to confirmation that 6 of its regulated firms have been forced to close following the failure to secure PII cover. In a statement released on the CLC website, the regulator has urged its members to respond to the open Call for Evidence on the operation of PII. The statement in […]
HM Land Registry Release Electronic Signature Guidance
HM Land Registry has released details of its new guidance on “Accepted Signatures.” The guidance covers the types of signatures accepted by HMLR for forms, restriction consents and certificates, defining the options for conveyancers. Wet ink signature: A wet ink signature is a hand-written pen to paper signature. Mercury signing: A defined process by which […]
Technical Corner: Negative interest rates may be on the horizon
Our ‘Technical Corner’ brings you information that will help you to continue to grow and develop in your career. This month’s technical corner article comes from Robert Blech, SRA Sector Specialist Director, MHA Macintyre Hudson If you have any questions for our panel of experts, please submit them using the contact form below. We will […]
