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 […]
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 […]
‘Tax Monday’ what will it have in store?
Today, the government are set to announce tax reforms which will get the ball rolling by triggering debates over changes to taxes including Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). Jesse Norman, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, sent a letter to MPs prior to today, highlighting the need to keep ‘Tax Day’ […]
Authority orders developers ordered to remove unfair leasehold terms
The Competitions Market Authority (CMA) is requiring Taylor Wimpey and Countryside Properties developers to remove the terms in their contracts which force leaseholders to pay ground rent which doubles every 10 or 15 years, which breaks consumer protection law. The action has come as a result of the CMA launching enforcement action against four housing […]
HMLR Practice Guide updates: PG50, PG19, PG80 & PG78
Here are the latest practice guide updates issued by HM Land Registry. Requisition and cancellation procedures (PG50) Page summary: Advice on how to avoid requisitions on applications and our procedures where they do need to be raised (practice guide 50). Change made: Section 2 has been amended to include details of a change to the […]
Home Buying & Selling Group announce launch of BASPI dataset
The Home Buying & Selling Group (HBSG), charged with improving the home purchase process for consumers, has today (15th March 2021) announced it has produced a dataset for its Buying and Selling Property Information (BASPI). The BASPI is a dataset designed to be the ‘one source of truth’ when it comes to upfront information about […]
Why are Easements important?
Easements exist in the majority of freehold titles and so they are important to conveyancers and buyers alike. Easements are certain rights that a person has over another’s land. Rights range from very widespread forms of rights of way, most rights to use service conduits such as telecommunications cables, power supply lines, supply pipes and […]
Government statement clarifies SDLT ‘tapering’
The government has provided clarity on the stamp duty land tax announcements made by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in yesterday’s budget. The official note released by the government reads: “The temporary increase to the nil rate band for Stamp Duty Land Tax, which is the rate before you start paying SDLT on residential property has been […]
Budget 2021: SDLT extension to increase pressure on sector
The coronavirus pandemic has ripped a hole in the UK’s finances, and we all know that steps need to be taken to begin to set the UK on the right path once again, now there is light at the end of the lockdown tunnel. Addressing Parliament, Chancellor Rishi Sunak, focused on the roadmap and the […]
The Solicitors Accounts Rules 1 year on
As part of our newly created ‘Technical Corner’ we want to bring you information that will help you to continue to grow in your career. This month’s technical corner article comes from Robert Blech LLB, FCCA, ACA. When the new Solicitors Regulation Authority Accounts rules became effective on 25 November 2019, we had no idea […]
Updated practice guides: PG35, PG78 & PG19
Here are the latest practice guides updates issued by HM Land Registry. Corporate insolvency (PG35) How to deal with applications involving the insolvency of corporate bodies. Mainly for insolvency practitioners and conveyancers (practice guide 35). Page summary: Guidance for conveyancers on overseas companies and limited liability partnerships (practice guide 78). Change made: Sections 4.3.4 and […]
MP’s support SDLT holiday extension in Parliamentary debate
On Monday 1st February Parliament debated the much-anticipated e-petition relating to Stamp Duty Tax relief. The debate, which has been timetabled despite the threat of temporary suspension to Parliamentary debates, discusses the position has come about as a result of an online petition achieving the statutory 100,000 votes and is non-binding on the government. The […]
Government announce new reforms for leaseholders
An announcement made by the Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick today, 7 January 2021 has dealt millions of leaseholders hope as he has given them the right to extend their lease by a maximum term of 990 years at zero ground rent. The reforms have come as a result of the government working towards making home […]
Property Market Remains Open following Tier Review
Home movers may continue to buy and sell houses following the government’s move to take control of spiralling Covid-19 cases. A few hours after the announcement about the tightening of social distancing controls over Christmas and the reduction of the planned 5 day break to just Christmas Day, Housing Minister Robert Jenrick took to Twitter […]
CMA praises advancements in legal sector, but more can be done
Today, 17 December, the Competition Markets Authority (CMA) has published the findings of its review of the legal services in England and Wales. The review has found that the legal profession has made some positive advancements with regards to transparency but more work can be done to continue to improve and more work on the […]
LSB invites contributions to a new strategy for the legal service sector
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has today launched a consultation on a draft strategy for the legal services sector and is inviting others to say how they will also contribute to reshaping legal services to better meet the needs of society. The strategy follows the publication of LSB’s State of Legal Services 2020 report last […]
ALEP Directors pen letter to Housing Minister on leasehold reform
Directors of the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners (ALEP) have written to Housing Minister, Christopher Pincher MP calling for an update on when the Government will issue its response to the Law Commission’s recommendation for leasehold reform. In July 2020, the Law Commission presented Government with its recommendations for reform which, if adopted, would hail huge changes to the […]
Could vendor disclosure replace caveat emptor? CLC roundtable highlights impact of Covid-19 on conveyancing
The rapid adoption of technology because of lockdown could move the conveyancing process from an emphasis on the buyer and caveat emptor to one of vendor disclosure, a Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) roundtable has heard. Vendor disclosure would put the onus on the seller to ensure that they have provided all the information required […]
What does leaving the EU mean for businesses?
As the coronavirus pandemic takes centre stage, the Brexit transition is still rumbling on behind the scenes. But with the deadline nearing, it is worth taking into account what the changes can mean to businesses and firms. The GOV.uk website has lots of helpful information that can help you to prepare for the transition and […]
Law Society warn, planning reform must not be hurried
Hurried planning reforms will not be sustainable and risk causing damage to the physical environment, the Law Society has warned. The Law Society has submitted its response to the government’s Planning for the Future consultation which proposes widescale change to the current planning system including simplifying the role of local plans and reforming developer contributions. […]
