Chaotic stamp duty system means HMRC refunds £10m each month (EAT)
HMRC has refunded £185m to some 15,000 house buyers since the introduction of the stamp duty surcharge in April of last year according to new research by Which?.
New leasehold reform Bill to help those “stranded in their homes (EAT)
Labour MP Justin Madders is working on a Private Members’ Bill creating leasehold reform in a bid to help leaseholders who, he says, “feel trapped in their homes”.
Law Society backs alternative wills (LSG)
The Law Society has said courts should be allowed to recognise people’s final wishes, even in cases where a traditionally valid will is not provided.
Legal services regulation: another review announced (LSG)
Lingering concerns about how legal services regulation works have prompted overseers to take another look at the rules underpinning the system.
Mis-sold leaseholds scandal: ‘Claims could be brought against agents’ (PIE)
Estate agents who have acted on behalf of developers in selling new-builds could be drawn into a redress scheme for mis-sold leaseholds, it has been claimed.
Bill proposes compensation scheme for those with unfair leaseholds (TC)
A Bill aiming to bring in a compensation scheme for those with unfair leaseholds has secured a second reading.
New chief legal ombudsman named (LSG)
Rebecca Marsh, a senior executive at the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) is the new Chief Legal Ombudsman, the ombudsman’s office has announced.
Wills reform could turn people away from solicitors (LSG)
Proposals for wide-reaching will reform could see people turning to unregulated providers, solicitors have warned, as the government prepares to consider the biggest shake-up yet to centuries-old wills laws.
Lawyers among most stressed – official (LSG)
Lawyers are among the most stressed professionals in the UK, government figures show – and women are the worst affected.
PPI-style compensation scheme for leasehold home owners could pay out billions (PIE)
Labour MP and leading leasehold reform activist Justin Madders has secured a second reading of a Bill that aims to introduce a compensation scheme for existing home owners suffering from […]
Regulator Issues Report On Improving Consumer Protection Against Scams (TC)
A report has been published by the Payment Systems Regulator on the steps it has taken to protect consumers from APP scams.
Treasury urged to give home buyers a year to pay additional Stamp Duty charges as refunds hit £166m (PIE)
HMRC has refunded more than £160m to home owners who have been charged the additional Stamp Duty Land Tax rate but have since gone on to sell their former main […]