Land Registry launch new Application Enquiry service
A new online service named Application Enquiry has been launched by Land Registry, which they say enables organisations and professionals to view the progress of applications in real time. The free online portal replaces the Day List Enquiry service, with Land Registry saying the new system provides: “a user friendly search; more detail about an application […]
Growth in sales set to be “more modest” after Buy-to-Let surge – RICS
Just 17% of Chartered Surveyors think there will be an increase in property sales in the next three months according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. RICS say prices have been coming down since December as the market reached a peak due to the expected Buy to Let surge. In addition, while house price […]
Government trumpets 150,000 Help to Buy completions.
Government trumpets 150,000 Help to Buy completions. 150,000 completions have been made under the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Help to Buy equity loan and mortgage guarantee programme since it’s inception two years ago, although 32,000 of such purchases are not first time buyers. Half of those 150,000 homes purchased have been new build homes, […]
New Law Society practice note urges conveyancers to adopt consumer friendly trading practices
The Law Society has published a new practice note urging conveyancers to adhere to Consumer Protection Regulations. The news means that conveyancers will have to maintain ‘consumer-friendly’ trading practices. The ‘Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading regulations’ (CPRs) actually came into force in 2008 but recent regulatory changes have now made them potentially relevant to property […]
Conveyancing Association hopes for stability for in next week’s Budget.
The Conveyancing Association has called for the Chancellor George Osborne to seek stability when it comes to the housing and mortgage markets in next week’s budget. The CA have also said they don’t want to see the Chancellor add to the uncertainty caused by the upcoming referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU with other […]
SRA to end post run-off insurance cover in four years
The Solicitors Regulation Authority have said there will be no extension to the current insurance cover for closed firms beyond the present six year run-off period. Any practice that has shut since September 2000 without a successor currently enjoys additional professional insurance cover through the old Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) for any claim made after […]
SRA to hold free conference on innovations in legal sector
The Solicitors Regulation Authority have announced they will be holding a free conference on new ideas and innovations in the legal sector. The event is set to take part at Millbank Tower in London at the end of the month , with a panel of experts attending to offer reflections on their own experiences as […]
Mid Devon District Council wins Customer Satisfaction Award for searches
Mid Devon District Council have been voted the winners of the Customer Satisfaction Award at the Land Data 2016 Local Land Charges Awards. Solicitors and licensed conveyancers voted for the 9th annual award and were asked to consider quality, efficiency, reliability and value for money. Mid Devon finished top of 32 local authorities after 132 […]
Law Society publish info on new Mortgage Credit Directive requirements.
The Law Society have published new information on upcoming changes to the Mortgage Credit Directive (MCD). The EU-wide initiative brings a new framework of conduct for mortgage firms and is closely aligned with the UK’s current mortgage regulation. The new rules come into force on March 21s. it applies equally to first and second charge […]
Legal Ombudsman publishes advice to help keep conveyancing clients on-side
The Legal Ombudsman has published advice on how best to keep clients on side during the conveyancing process. Conveyancing accounted for 23% of complaints last year with the Ombudsman saying managing expectations is the key to avoid giving your client conveyancing nightmares. They also recommend passing on printed information sheets as verbally. The Ombudsman’s guidance […]
Ministry of Justice appear set to take practicing fee funding from Law Society
The Law Society could be about to lose practising fee funding with the Ministry of Justice saying they intend for lawyers to no longer be required to make a financial contribution to their representative body. Details of the proposal are expected “in the spring” this year. A spokesman for the MoJ told Legal Futures: “the […]
Law Society tells profession to pay it’s work experience kids
The Law Society has called on the profession to pay those undertaking work experience “where possible” to help ensure diversity in the profession. In a 2014 survey the Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society found that 79% had undertaken unpaid work experience. 53% of those had undertaken a month or more, while 23% had […]
Land Registry website to be unavailable for two days
The Land Registry’s website is set to be unavailable from 6.30pm on Friday 4th March until 6.00am on the following Monday morning. Access to the portal, Business Gateway and Find a property services will be prevented while the maintenance takes place. Land Registry have apologised for any inconvenience caused.
Conveyancing Association Conference & Dinner confirmed for Stamford Bridge on 1st December 2016
Following its inaugural Conference held in December 2015, the Conveyancing Association (CA), the leading trade body for the conveyancing industry, has booked Stamford Bridge once again for its Conference and Dinner, this year taking place on the 1st December. The return to Chelsea’s home ground comes after a very successful first event was held in […]
Land Registry completes 186,183 searches in January
According to newly released statistics, Land Registry completed 186,183 statistics in January, down from 199,972 in December and 206,321 in November In total there were over 1,422,400 applications including 351,291 applications in respect of registered land (dealings), down over 8,000 from December. There were 653,143 applications to obtain an official copy of a register or title plan […]
PCCB blasts councils over conveyancing holdups
The Property Codes Compliance Board has taken what it says is an “unusual step” in publicly criticizing some local councils who they say are holding up property transactions through “very poor service”. Delays in conveyancing are the second most common cause of sales falling through. Whist the PCCB say the majority perform well, they board […]
Law Society squares up to SRA over access to profession
The Law Society have attacked the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority’s proposals for a single qualifying exam saying could prevent the most talented joining the profession. The response, written by the society’s president Jonathan Smithers says the Law Society are also against anything that could “damage the standing of solicitors at home and abroad” and that nay […]
CLC set to launch new pathways to qualifying as a licensed conveyancer
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has published it’s annual report for 2015 and outlined it’s plans for the current year including reforms to qualifying as a conveyancer. By Autumn 2016 the CLC say people will be able to become licensed conveyancers and CLC Probate Practitioners through apprenticeships, classroom or distance learning programmes. The apprenticeship programme […]
FMB criticised for calling for tax breaks on unfinished houses – despite longer than ever build rates
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has been criticised for calling for partially unfinished properties to be exempt from Council Tax despite longer than ever completion rates. Brian Berry, Chief Exec of the FMB, said the tax was hindering Small and medium sized developers and contributing to the ongoing housing crisis. However the Local Government […]
Consultation launched on practising certificate fee rules
The Legal Services Board has launched a consultation on proposed amendments to their Practising Certificate Fee (PCF) rules. The proposed changes are to Rule 10 of the PCF Rules which sets out the criteria against which the LSB will assess any application for approval of a PCF and Rule 11 which describes the evidence that […]
