The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has formally launched a ‘Dating Service’ to bring together law firms that are interested in acquisition (whether being acquired or acquiring) or mergers in respect of their conveyancing business.
The society explained that a number of their member practices are well-established firms that are interested in either the opportunities for expanding their businesses or establishing a route to retirement. SLC’s ‘Dating Service’ will offer a confidential service to bring together firms interested in acquiring or merging with others.
These might be conveyancing practices within regulation by the CLC or SRA. Any such merger or acquisition activity would still require the approval of the CLC and be subject to their rigorous scrutiny.
They say that for an SRA-regulated conveyancing practice, acquisition of or merger with an existing CLC-regulated practice could help avoid a number of challenges. These include accessing mortgage lenders panels and the issues associated with run-off cover for PI insurance faced by firms moving between regulators.
Simon Law the Chairman of the SLC said: “This new ‘Dating Service’ will deliver real benefits to Licensed Conveyancers looking to consolidate their businesses and to solicitors who may wish to move their conveyancing practice into regulation by the CLC.
“The message is that Licensed Conveyancers are open for business and want to take a larger market share of the conveyancing market”.
Solicitor and Licensed Conveyancer firms that are interested in exploring what the Dating Service can offer should contact – emma@conveyancers.org.uk or call 08714 237193 and ask for the Head of Secretariat. Licensed Conveyancer firms that wish to use the dating service must have at least one Principal Member of the Society.
All contacts will be treated with confidentiality and ‘dates’ arranged only at the agreement of both parties. Firms that wish to get more information about this service first hand are encouraged to attend the SLC annual Conference on 20th November in Derby — e-mail donna@conveyancers.org.uk for details.
