Oyez Celebrating 21 Years! (IC)
In its first 100 years, Oyez, originally known as The Solicitor’s Law Stationery Society and founded in 1888 by a group of solicitors, grew to become the largest UK legal […]
Downward trend in conveyancing firms stopped in its tracks as work volumes rise (LF)
The total number of law firms registering conveyancing transactions rose 4% in 2016 to 5,572, halting five years going the other way, and they are busier than before the financial […]
Money Laundering: HMRC to work closely with Trading Standards (EAT)
HMRC and the National Trading Standards Estate Agency Team have agreed new procedures to “enhance and ease the current flow of information on estate agency businesses between both parties.”
E-conveyancing at last? (LSG)
Solicitors and conveyancers could no longer be asked to witness signatures on Land Registry forms if proposals for electronic signatures are adopted.
News focus: E-conveyancing: 15 years on (LSG)
Digital optimists have welcomed a long overdue development that could make paperless conveyancing a reality after many false starts. But there are reasons to be sceptical.
NHBC accused of issuing gagging orders to claimants (PIE)
New-build warranties provider NHBC has come under fire for allegedly imposing confidentiality clauses on home owners who make complaints or claims on their properties.
Law firm insurer fails in High Court bid to recover property fraud losses from solicitor (LF)
A highly experienced solicitor who breached the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 in a property transaction that led to a £500,000 fraud did not act dishonestly, the High Court has ruled.
Advertising watchdog to be asked to decide what an agent’s ‘commission’ means (PIE)
The term ‘commission’ in the context of estate agency is set to be at the heart of a complaint to the advertising watchdog.
Beware the Rentcharge “Scam” – and it’s Perfectly Legal (IC)
Rentcharges (technically Rentscharge but let’s not be too pedantic) originated in the early part of the last century and were a means for builders to develop land without paying a […]
A new way to buy? Mortgage lender offers to pay stamp duty (EAT)
One of Britain’s biggest mortgage companies has come up with a new way to try to boost buying across the housing market – paying stamp duty for a purchaser, but […]
Agents blasted by Which? for asking price ‘over-valuations’ (EAT)
The consumer body Which? claims that 19 per cent of properties sold in the year to September went for prices five per cent or more below their initial asking price.
Changes to the CLC’s Accounts Code (IC)
Changes to the CLC’s Accounts Code are proposed to reduce the regulatory burden on specialist conveyancing and probate firms.