Lender will consider mortgage applications from 80-year-olds (PIE)
Leeds Building Society has become the latest lender to increase its maximum lending age for mortgage borrowers, providing a boost to buyers who are increasingly getting on to the ladder […]
News focus: tax laws and the Finance Bill (LSG)
A new clampdown on tax avoidance could target advisers, but critics warn that the proposals go too far and may end up capturing traditionally accepted tax planning.
Market-driven solutions promote competition and innovation
The most effective driver of quality, innovative and sustainable legal services is the market itself, the Law Society said today as it responded to comments from the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Land Registry no longer accepting ‘confidential’ documentation (EAT)
The Land Registry is no longer accepting any applications or correspondence relating to applications if they are marked ‘Private and Confidential’ or ‘Private’ or ‘Confidential’ – instead, they are being […]
Still hanging on the telephone – law firms fail the mystery shopping test (LF)
There is still evidence of a culture within law firms where incoming client enquiries are not valued, or seen from the client’s point of view, a new report has found.
Countrywide branches to close in the near future (EAT)
Around 60 Countrywide Group estate agency offices are expected to close in the next few weeks.
Conveyancing Association continues unabated with leasehold campaign (TC)
The Conveyancing Association has confirmed it will continue unabated with its campaign to reform and amend the leasehold transaction process, despite recent developments.
Law Society urges profession to give views on ‘dramatic’ changes (LSG)
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s proposed reforms to the SRA handbook and accounts rules risk ‘weakening client protection’ and ‘damaging the reputation of the solicitor profession both at home and abroad’, […]
Flying Freehold Enquiries Take Off Post Brexit (IC)
CML post Brexit figures already indicate a slowdown in housing market. Perhaps it’s not surprising that so called ‘problematic properties’ i.e. those with more unusual characteristics are more difficult to […]
Homes with low EPCs could be banned from the sales market (PIE)
People could in future be unable to sell their homes unless the properties meet minimum energy performance standards.
House sales fail to complete yesterday as high street bank struggles with workload (PIE)
Did your end of August transactions all complete yesterday?
SRA considers publishing firms’ complaints and claims records as quality indicators (LF)
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is considering whether to make data on complaints and insurance claims against law firms available to consumers as “possible indicators of quality”, it has revealed.