Property
Lawyer rebuked for not checking ID of walk-in client
A chartered legal executive who failed to check the identity of a walk-in client who said the firm had acted for him in the past has been rebuked by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Digital property group aims to “accelerate use of AI”
Upfront information and accelerating the use of emerging technology such as AI are among the priorities that the Digital Property Market Steering Group has pledged to progress this year.
Land Registry pilot aims to stop lenders chasing conveyancers
HM Land Registry is working with mortgage lenders to ensure they no longer need to chase conveyancers for updates on the progress of registration applications.
Solicitor fined £15,000 fine for AML due diligence failures
A partner who failed to conduct proper client due diligence in property transactions that had signs of money laundering has been fined £15,000.
Solicitor who breached undertakings agrees to leave profession
A solicitor whose failure to comply with multiple undertaking he gave caused significant losses for investors in two property developments, has agreed to leave the profession.
Law firm specialising in wayleaves obtains Ofcom powers
A law firm specialising in wayleave agreements has obtained Ofcom code powers to support the roll-out of full-fibre broadband through its sister company in what is believed to be the first move of its kind.
Tribunal ends solicitor’s indefinite suspension after 15 years
The SDT has permitted a solicitor it indefinitely suspended 15 years ago to return to practise after he provided “full and comprehensive evidence of training in property law”.
Fine for solicitor who acted for both property developer and investor
A solicitor who acted for a property investment company and an investor has been fined just over £9,000 for breaking conflict of interest rules.
“Instruct conveyancers early”, Trading Standards tells sellers and agents
National Trading Standards has encouraged sellers and estate agents to engage conveyancers earlier than now after it made clear all the information that needs to be included in property listings.
Number of conveyancing solicitors slumps as market contracts
The number of conveyancing firms and particularly solicitors has dropped significantly over the past two years in line with the major downturn suffered by the property market.
Leading firm fined £101,000 for anti-money laundering failures
A leading South-West law firm has been fined £101,357 for failing to act over money laundering red flags on three property transactions, two of which may have involved a sanctioned entity.
Pre-contract enquiries platform aims to save conveyancers “weeks”
A pre-contract enquiries platform created by a law firm founder and already used by 230 lawyers, aims to cut “weeks not days” from conveyancing transaction times.
Nearly half of homebuyers say lawyers are too slow in responding
Slow response time is by far the biggest ‘pain point’ homebuyers have when dealing with conveyancers, according to new research.
Upfront information takes centre stage in conveyancing “roadmap”
Expanding the amount of mandatory upfront information which must be provided by sellers when a property is marketed is a central part of the “roadmap” for the future of home moving.
PEXA agrees £31m Smoove deal in bid to grow conveyancing presence
PEXA, the Australian conveyancing technology giant that last year bought a UK law firm, is set to expand significantly after agreeing a £31m deal by buy listed company Smoove.
Blog
It’s time for law firms to ask tougher questions
For years, many law firms have treated ID verification as a box-ticking exercise. Run a liveness check, match a face to a document and move on. But that is no longer good enough.
Business fatigue to AI will risk job security
Whilst we know professional learning has always been part of career paths, to hire, retain and keep talent, AI needs to be embedded as a core part of this training.
On good authority? GenAI and the reputational risks to law firms
As GenAI’s influence grows, so do the risks which are already playing out in courtrooms across England and Wales, where some early adopters are setting precedents they would rather not.
