Property
Third-party managed account first for licensed conveyancers
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has issued its first approval for a law firm to use a third-party managed account for its client funds.
CLC issues warning not to slack off on post-completion work
The term ‘post-completion’ can encourage conveyancers to see applications to HM Land Registry as an afterthought, especially as they are done after collecting the fee, the CLC has warned.
High Court concerned by solicitors’ “fishy” role in possession case
The High Court has highlighted the “fishy” role of two solicitors in a housing possession case in what “looks like a stitch-up” of the occupant by her ex-husband.
Land Registry starts accepting qualified electronic signatures
HM Land Registry will now accept deeds signed with qualified electronic signatures and is encouraging lawyers and their clients to start using them.
Land Registry misses targets on tackling errors and productivity
HM Land Registry has missed the targets it set itself for reducing errors in new entries on the register and on productivity, according to its annual report.
Regulator to review conveyancers’ referral arrangements
Last week’s BBC Panorama programme on ‘conditional selling’ by estate agents has prompted the Council for Licensed Conveyancers to launch a review of referral arrangements.
Law Commission reform to aid conveyancers with chancel repair
The Law Commission is planning to take one burden off conveyancers’ shoulders by removing doubts about chancel repair liability and the need to take out insurance.
CMA action “would put upfront information back on property agenda”
It may take strong enforcement action by the Competition and Markets Authority to make the property sector realise that upfront material information remains a priority.
Paralegal rebuked for £1.85m payment error
A senior paralegal has been rebuked for wrongly requesting the release of at least £1.85m to a property developer which later went bust, leaving his law firm to repay buyers.
Solicitor tried to stop counterpart reporting breach of undertaking
A solicitor who breached an undertaking and then tried to stop his opposite number reporting him to the Solicitors Regulation Authority has been struck off.
Blog
The formula for finance-enabled business development
Client concentration or over-dependence now counts as a top strategic risk for 26% of firms. Cross-selling is an antidote – a way to bolster revenue resilience without relying on client acquisition.
Whistleblowing guidance for in-house lawyers – a call to arms
In-house lawyers are in a unique position to spot wrongdoing. But reporting it is not just potentially dangerous from a personal point of view.
The importance of benchmarking reports – and lessons on profitability
Regional firms reported the largest revenue growth this year (12%), outpacing their City counterparts. Yet many are not converting that growth into profitability.
