associate news

Landmark Information – the leading provider of information to the UK property market – has introduced a newly enhanced Landmark Planning report, which uniquely provides boundary data on the majority of the UK’s large planning applications as polygons.  Property lawyers and homebuyers benefit from a visually clearer understanding of the extent or potential impact of larger planning applications, as part of the legal conveyancing process.

Winter reminds us that it is getting wetter each year: whether rain or snowmelt, it has to find its way into rivers, ditches and waterlogged soil regardless of the property in its way. Regular news headlines and social media posts also tell us of the human impacts from damage, clean up and the longer term mental health impacts for affected residents.

We love learning about our clients’ business successes. The most interesting stories are from individuals who rose from unconventional beginnings and overcame the odds to accomplish their professional goals. It’s inspiration for others in the same position that success can be theirs too.

Clients do not always inform their loved ones that they have written a Will or where it is stored. This can cause additional stress to those dealing with the estate after they have passed away as they are unsure if a Will exists, resulting in them having to search in the deceased’s property for a copy or call local solicitors and Will writers which is both time consuming and stressful.

Clarity and transparency is essential in any transaction; and the information which underpins a property purchase is no different. This is especially true of environmental searches – a specialist area where some legal practitioners may feel less confident advising on, especially if an issue such as contaminated land or flooding is flagged up.

Residential conveyancers and estate agents both anticipate the Stamp Duty holiday extension verdict to have a significantly greater impact on their role in 2021 than either the COVID-19 vaccination programme or Brexit – according to the findings of the ‘Thriving in a Pandemic’ report published by tmgroup and mio earlier this month. The survey of over 600 property professionals also revealed anxiety around an increased number of broken chains and fall-throughs this year.

At its worst, contaminated land may present a hazard to potential users of the land or environment. Although in most cases the risks associated with living on sites that have been previously used by industry are low.  Users may become exposed to contaminants such as by inhalation of hazardous materials and also through food grown on the land. There may be indirect effects on users such as damage to buildings. Substances can leach out of the soil to pollute groundwater, rivers or ponds. Some contaminants may be corrosive, and some can cause explosion or fire.

The College of Legal Practice today announces its Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) preparation courses. Designed to be more affordable, more flexible and more accessible, its ‘Developing Legal Professionals’ (DLP) programme helps prepare students to pass the SQE1 and SQE2 examinations, as well as developing the skills and competencies they need to succeed in the legal industry.

OneSearch Direct, the largest local search data company in the UK, has seen a 58% year-on-year increase in orders of Lawyer Checker’s Account Entity Screen, as the industry sees a sharp spike in SRA Scam Alerts, up 75% since January 2020.

The fight to secure the best talent in all industries, at all levels, has already intensified in some sectors – transportation and delivery, healthcare, FMCG – and it’s about to intensify in many others including Legal, as global economies move to the next phase post-pandemic.