New guidance seeks to improve disability inclusion in the legal profession
Employers in the legal sector have been provided with guidance by the Law Society and Cardiff University, outlining the reasonable adjustments firms and organisations could make to help them recruit and employ disabled staff. It follows the publication of the Legally Disabled?: The Career Experiences of Disabled People in the Legal Profession research by Cardiff […]
Conveyancing Workload Issues
I am shortly to commence another series of webinars entitled Residential Conveyancing for Support Staff which has been one of the most popular courses I have delivered over my many years of training. The course is really enjoyable to deliver because of the enthusiasm of delegates and their thirst for knowledge. Frequently they know some […]
Perfect Portal Enters The Great Big North West Tour 2021!
Perfect Portal are excited to announce their participation in a charity banger rally, The Great Big North West Tour 2021 to help fundraise for Derian House Children’s Hospice. This fundraiser, organised by Kingswood Homes, hopes to raise money to help pay for the respite and end-of-life care provided by Derian House for children and young […]
Dip in home building output holding back economic recovery
The fall in construction output below the pre-pandemic level in February 2020 is a wakeup call that the construction industry is struggling according to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The comments come in response to ONS data on construction output which shows a dip of 1.8% in July, the fourth consecutive month of decline. […]
Was I naïve?
Back in February I was bright eyed and bushy tailed, I had made the decision to be a master of my own destiny and set up a CLC regulated law firm. I shared an article with you back in May. Little did I know or appreciate the turbulent time ahead. I didn’t receive my insurance […]
Overseas investments in regional office space soars
Investments in offices outside the capital for the first half of this year hit £3.58bn – 18 per cent above the long-term average for the first half of this year, Savills research reveals. Overseas investors accounted for two-thirds of the £3.58bn of investments from January to June 2021 – 38 per cent above the five-year […]
Access Legal drives customer-first strategy with significant new appointment
Law technology specialist Access Legal is continuing to champion customer centricity in the legal market, announcing the appointment of a new Head of Customer Success. Bishu Solomon Girma joins Access Legal with over a decade’s international experience in the legal industry, working across the UK and Canada. Beginning her career in law practice articling at […]
Cashroom’s latest integrations offer seamless financial support for law firms
The leading outsourced legal accounting, cashiering and compliance expert has partnered with four popular practice management systems (PMS) to offer seamless legal accounting support for firms across the UK. Cashroom has announced new integrations with Clio, Denovo, Klyant, and coming very soon LEAP, which are some of the country’s most intelligent legal technology systems helping […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer; 13th September 2021
So what are my pet peeves at the moment? What would I like in my wish list for things that other solicitors/estate agents should stop doing to make the process better in what is a very difficult time Unnecessary enquiries please do not ask me if I have verified my client’s identity – if I […]
Conveyancing charity donations for MS and Animal Sanctuary causes
Convey Law has donated vital funds to help two charities, the MS Society and Many Tears Animal Rescue in Wales after raising thousands of pounds through The Conveyancing Foundation’s innovative Charity Lotto. Both charities have received £1000 each after they were nominated by staff at Convey Law, whose clients raised the funds by taking part […]
RICS Chair Departure Imminent
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors’ Chair Sean Tomkins is reported to be resigning from the role amid the release of Alison Levitt QC’s independent review into the organisation’s conduct and internal accountancy issues. In an interview in Property Week it has been revealed that discussions are ongoing as Tomkins prepares to resign at the […]
Ransomware attacks up by 518% in the last year
Cybercriminals are becoming more aggressive, a recent report reveals. The report shows that cybercrime gangs are using even more sophisticated ransomware to extort millions from firms across the UK. The average ransomware demand has also increased by 518% from $847,000 in 2020, to around $5.3 million in 2021, with the highest single demand sitting at […]
How is your firm planning to mark the end of Stamp Duty Holiday?
The last eighteen months have been a particularly busy time for conveyancers, with some of us only just coming up for air as the Stamp Duty holiday deadline looms in the next few weeks. On one hand, our industry has been incredibly fortunate during this pandemic to be maintaining and in some cases, growing businesses. […]
Getting Lawyers Back To The Office… An Easy Matter?
The Government set out a step-by-step plan in February to ease restrictions in England during the Covid-19 pandemic. Step 4 of this roadmap plan began on 19th July, by highlighting the need to continue being cautious as we managed the ongoing risks of the virus. It was later stated on the Government’s website, updated on […]
UK bank account fraud 25% up year on year
New research from Experian has revealed that bank account fraud is now tracking at its highest level for more than three years. Drawing on the latest data from the National Hunter Fraud Prevention Service, the analysis uncovered an alarming surge in fraudulent activity targeting British businesses and consumers. The fraud rate for current accounts rose […]
Most lawyers want flexible working and less time in the office
A report from Thomson Reuters reveals that less than one in ten legal professionals want to return to working regular hours in the office, and would instead prefer to spend over two days a week working remotely. According to research by Thomson Reuters which analysed data from 2,500 legal professionals, 63% of lawyers are requesting […]
Property search firm keeps the housing market moving during the pandemic
X-Press Legal Services, the UK’s largest independent search provider, has witnessed one of its busiest years in its two decades of operation as the housing market boomed during the pandemic. The firm has seen a 50 per cent increase in the number and value of orders year on year as consumers rushed to take advantage […]
Leaseholders continue to wait for “levelling-up”
The lack of progress on leasehold reforms is leaving thousands of homeowners in a potentially costly waiting game and in danger of losing out. The Government announced long-awaited reforms to ‘level up’ the leasehold system at the start of the year, including scrapping ground rents and ensuring leaseholders can extend effectively forever. However, without a […]
New Deputy Vice President for Law Society
Nick Emmerson has been announced as the new Law Society of England and Wales 2021 deputy vice president (DVP), following the recent election. He takes office as DVP on 14 October 2021 – becoming vice president in 2022 and president in 2023. Nick has been a Law Society council member since 2015 as the constituency […]
Sole practitioner model “dying” according to research
Solicitors operating as sole practitioners and partnerships are a dying breed, according to a new analysis from Arden Partners plc revealing the changing shape of the solicitor market. Analysis of Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) data reveals that the number of sole practitioners operating in England and Wales has decreased by 47% in the past 10 […]
