Dreamvar loss could price out small firms (LSG)
Smaller firms could be priced out of conveyancing if a controversial ruling over a fraudulent property purchase is allowed to stand, the Court of Appeal heard last week.
Registry allays conveyancer fears over identity checks (LSG)
HM Land Registry has insisted that requirements to confirm a client’s identity for a property transaction will not impose new liabilities on conveyancers – who are reminded in updated guidance […]
Six out of 50 firms visited by SRA face money laundering action (LSG)
Six out of 50 firms visited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to review the sector’s compliance with new money laundering regulations have been referred to ‘disciplinary processes’, the regulator has […]
London law firm fined £35k for allowing partner to use client account as banking facility (LF)
A well-known London law firm that let one of its partners use its client account as a banking facility, with millions of pounds going in and out, has been fined […]
Removals could be disrupted by the Beast from the East, warning (PIE)
House moves could be jeopardised tomorrow by Siberian weather conditions blown in by the Beast from the East.
Borrower’s solicitor not liable for bank’s loss because it should have realised her error (LF)
A bank that relied on inaccurate information supplied by its borrower’s solicitor should not have won a negligence claim against her, because it failed to carry out its own checks, […]
2018 sees housing market activity build (TC)
New data has revealed that January saw a 37% increase in the number of people in search of a new home.
Sales progression costing more for high street agents as online firms fall down on the job (PIE)
Traditional agents are being increasingly forced to step in to ensure that chains don’t collapse where sellers have chosen online firms – and are having to take the hit on […]
New fund aims to speed up planning decisions (TC)
The government has announced new funding to help speed up decisions around planning and improve the pace of delivering quality new homes.
Law firms dealing with insurance products given breathing space over new rules (LF)
Personal injury lawyers, conveyancers and other solicitors who arrange or advise on insurance policies have been given a stay of execution from complying with new rules under a European directive […]
The move to commonhold begins
Last week saw the launch of an 8 week Law Commission’s call for evidence as part of the reform of Commonhold legislation.
New industry group explores binding offers to improve home buying process (PIE)
A new property industry group made up of some of the sector’s biggest names is to explore the option of binding offers or reservations in order to reduce fall through […]