Property
Exclusive: PE-backed conveyancer puts acquisitions on hold
One of the country’s largest conveyancing firms, O’Neill Patient, has “changed direction” and put acquisitions on hold in the wake of the pandemic and conveyancing boom.
First fully automated matter heralds new approach to remortgage work
The first ever automated remortgage has been completed by a new system that also picks out those remortgage matters that require legal advice.
PEXA makes statement by buying property law firm Optima from Capita
Property Exchange Australia (PEXA), which processes 80% of conveyancing completions in Australia, is to acquire specialist property law firm Optima Legal from listed company Capita.
Up to 70% of land register updates to be automated by 2025
Up to seven out of ten updates to the land register will be automated by March 2025, HM Land Registry has predicted, as it pledged to promote “a secure and inclusive digital system of conveyancing”.
Biggest conveyancing firms grab market share as ‘dabblers’ start to exit
The number of active conveyancing firms has begun to shrink again after last year’s boom, with the biggest practices increasing their market share, new research has found.
Conveyancers “have duty to advise clients on climate risk” to properties
There is a “growing body of opinion” that conveyancers have a duty of care to advise clients on the risks climate change represents to property, it was claimed today.
New conveyancing ABS using chatbot to cut transaction times
A conveyancing alternative business structure launched last month aims to cut transaction times by at least a month, using a chatbot to help clients complete a seller’s pack.
CMA orders break-up of property search giant
The merger of two of the four big property search providers “substantially lessens competition”, the Competition and Markets Authority has decided, ordering Dye & Durham to sell TM Group.
Handy new checklist for lease extensions (surrender and regrants)
At-a-glance guide for conveyancers to help with lease extension applications where the existing lease is being surrendered and a new lease granted
Estate agents need “more respect” from conveyancers
Nearly four in ten estate agents (39%) believe that greater “mutual respect” would most improve their relationship with conveyancers, but lawyers would prefer to see a focus on better collaboration.
Blog
Why good governance matters when managing Law Society forms
Everyday legal transactions rely on Law Society forms. But they are often treated as static templates rather than what they really are: living documents that change over time.
A letter from the SRA? Your first reaction matters
An email from the SRA has a way of rearranging a working day. It arrives in the same inbox as everything else, often in the same measured tone, yet it carries a different weight.
Regulate sole practices on evidence, not turnover
For a sole practice, the SRA’s plan that I cannot hold a compliance role if my firm has more than £600,000 of turnover is not a measure of risk. It is a ceiling on growth.
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