Law firm incomes up by over 5%, Law Society survey indicates (LF)
Law firms are “in good shape financially”, with median income increasing by 5.4% last year, according to Law Society research.
Solicitors’ opinions wanted on client accounts (LSG)
The Law Society is asking solicitors for opinions on the future of accounts rules ahead of an SRA review expected in the spring. A consultation lists options ranging from retaining […]
CML urges reform to Stamp Duty Land Tax surcharge proposals
The Council of Mortgage Lenders urges reform of the implementation plans, to mitigate potentially negative impacts on the housing market as a whole.
Dirty tricks – and warnings over leasehold extensions (PIE)
Agents should be advising sellers and buyers against the dangers of informal leasehold extensions.
SRA and Law Society at loggerheads again over independent regulation (LF)
The general public strongly supports the notion of full separation of legal regulators from professional bodies, according to the results of an opinion poll commissioned by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Law Society proposes ‘single test’ to allay stamp duty fears (LSG)
The Law Society has proposed a single test that could resolve several concerns arising from the government’s higher stamp duty rates for second homes.
Osborne’s next measure? Ministers urged to levy Capital Gains tax on sales (EAT)
An influential think tank says the levying of Capital Gains Tax on sales would deter volatile house price rises and could be used as a substitute for stamp duty.
Law Society asks solicitors: Should we abolish client accounts? (LF)
Solicitors are being asked by the Law Society whether separate client accounts should be abolished, as part of a consultation on the accounts rules.
Conveyancers ‘should not cross-examine clients’ over stamp duty (LSG)
Conveyancers risk becoming a police force as part of unintended consequences of the government’s higher stamp duty rates, a trade body has warned.
LSB not opposed to full-scale legal market probe (LSG)
The oversight regulatory body has given its provisional backing to the competition watchdog for a complete review of the legal sector.
Conveyancers’ anger over short gap between Budget and 3% Stamp Duty surcharge (PIE)
Conveyancers have expressed serious criticisms about the short time frame between the Budget and April 1, when the new Stamp Duty surcharge is due to kick in.
Land Registry throws more light on high-profile property fraud case (EAT)
The Land Registry has thrown more light on the case in which veteran war reporter Max Hastings was the subject of a fraud scam and was ‘sold’ for £1.3m.