Following the SRA disclosure of the list of uninsured firms the Law Society clarifies the role of the “Find a Solicitor” website.
We have highlighted a number of times that many solicitors feel that before they send conveyancing completion funds to the other side they only need to check the Law Society’s Find a Solicitor site.
The Law Society have following our piece identifying that closed firms like Hacking Ashton LLP still appeared on the Find a Solicitor site weeks after they have actually closed sought to clarify the position.
Law Society chief executiveDesmond Hudson said: “The Find A Solicitor service publishes updated information every 24 hours, for members of the public wanting to find a solicitor in their area and for solicitors looking for contact details of other firms. It takes its data directly from the SRA, and adds other information helpful to users like area of practice and accreditations.
“The Find A Solicitor site is not a one-stop-shop for due diligence by firms. It is a valuable part of the checks of anyone using firms. This is made clear on the site, which also explains how to check the official SRA register.
“The Society plans a series of improvements to FAS later this year which will continue to make it the most comprehensive online directory available.”
From a conveyancing practitioner perspective we highlighted information on the SRA website was also potentially misleading with closed ABS firms appearing on the register of ABSs after they have closed.
Jenny Owen of Lawyer Checker said “Time and again we come across conveyancers that believe the Find a Solicitor website is all they need to check before they send their clients’ money to the other side. It is good that the Law Society is working hard to remedy this misconception and protect solicitors and their clients.”
For further information about Lawyer Checker please contact you search supplier or talk with us directly by emailing jenny@lawyerchecker.co.uk Today’s Conveyancer is associated with Lawyer Checker.
