Sajid Javid sets out his housing dream but has Help to Buy become a nightmare? (PIE)
Official data has suggested a sharp slowdown in the use of the Government’s flagship Help to Buy scheme on the same day that Sajid Javid outlined his newly titled Housing, […]
Law Society to introduce training quality committee in wake of setbacks (LF)
The Law Society is to launch a new ‘quality and standards in education’ committee, after a year in which its training arrangements have come under sustained pressure.
Will conveyancers accept bitcoins as payment? (LF)
Created in 2009, virtual currency bitcoin has seen a surge over the past year – both in terms of recognition and market value.
Law Society sets up group to clarify VAT for property searches (LSG)
The Law Society is establishing a working group to update conveyancing solicitors on how to handle VAT for electronic property searches following a first-tier tribunal ruling.
Don’t ban referral fees (PIE)
Referral fees paid by conveyancers to estate agents should not be banned – but their existence and their value should be disclosed.
Call to ban agents from selling services to buyers while acting for sellers (PIE)
Estate agents should be banned from selling services, such as conveyancing, to buyers while acting for sellers in the same transaction.
Technology is key to improving buying and selling process in the UK (IC)
Technology is the key to transforming the home buying and selling process in the UK as a way of providing more relevant information as early as possible, according to conveyancers.
Opposition to ‘freelance solicitor’ plans grows louder (LSG)
The backlash against Solicitors Regulation Authority plans to allow solicitors to practise as freelancers gained new traction this week with the intervention of a consumer watchdog.
Consumer panel warns SRA that latest Handbook reforms are recipe for “consumer confusion” (LF)
The Legal Services Consumer Panel has warned that the second phase of reforms to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Handbook would “compound existing complexities” and could further confuse consumers.
Solicitor Gauke is named as justice secretary (LSG)
Solicitor David Gauke was named as lord chancellor and secretary of state for justice in a surprise element of the government reshuffle.
Housing ‘promoted’ to full Cabinet status in cosmetic reshuffle (EAT)
The Department of Communities and Local Government has been rebadged as the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government in what would appear to be a cosmetic-only change announced by […]
Sixth lord chancellor in six years as Lidington moves on (LSG)
England and Wales is set for its fifth change of lord chancellor since 2012 as incumbent David Lidington MP took centre stage in the government reshuffle.