Bullying estate agents (EAT)
We recently had a client come to us to say she was ‘bullied’ by an agent who wanted the client to go to a particular firm in our locality even […]
Mortgage time bomb ready to explode for thousands of borrowers (PIE)
A ‘mortgage time bomb’ is looming for people aged over 50 with interest-only mortgages and who had hoped that an endowment would clear the lump sum, typically after 25 years.
Bogus law firm reports up by over 20%, with identity theft to the fore (LF)
The number of reports of bogus law firms received by the SRA in the first eight months of this year is up by over 20% on the same period last […]
Compensation Fund could pay the price after High Court buy-to-let ruling (LF)
The Solicitors Compensation Fund could be hit by a new wave of property claims after a High Court ruling on two test cases relating to a buy-to-let scheme.
Second Risk Outlook gets autumn update (SRA)
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published an update to the Risk Outlook 2015.
Irwin Mitchell acquires Mayfair firm (LSG)
National firm Irwin Mitchell has moved into wealth advice for rich clients with the acquisition of a Mayfair firm.
Documents reveal GCHQ spies targeted lawyers (LSG)
The Law Society today called for changes to the laws governing telecommunications interception following the release of documents apparently confirming that the intelligence services have been eavesdropping on lawyers’ client […]
More tenants will put in vexatious complaints if Bill becomes law – warning (PIE)
If a new Bill becomes law, then the number of tenants putting in vexatious complaints to hold up eviction proceedings will rise.
Stamp duty replacement “very, very bad tax” (EAT
A leading economist academic is warning that the charge which is replacing stamp duty in Scotland is a “very, very bad tax” which will hurt the entire market.
SRA warns firms could be liable for imposters (LSG)
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has warned that firms falling victim to fraudsters setting up bogus practices in their name could be held accountable if they have not acted to prevent […]
Good drafting more important than SRA rules, say clients (LF)
Consumers and businesses believe that drafting “legally accurate and effective” documents is a more important quality of a competent solicitor than following professional rules, a major study has found.
“Nobody listens to the Law Society” (LF)
Professor Avrom Sherr, one of the country’s leading legal academics, has said that “nobody listens to the Law Society” since it lost its regulatory role.