Property
Partner’s trainee supervision failure aided “property hijacks”
The boss of a Manchester law firm has been fined £12,500 for failing to supervise his trainee properly in conveyancing transactions that “bore the hallmarks of property hijacks”.
Manifestly incompetent solicitor fined for role in “secret sale”
A solicitor who facilitated a “secret, snap sale of inheritance property” after which the seller absconded to Morocco with proceeds to which he was not entitled has been fined for missing multiple warning signs.
Conveyancers keep fee rises below inflation
Average conveyancing fees for house purchases have increased by less than inflation over the past year, with fees for leasehold transactions rising much more quickly, according to new research.
Land Registry calls on law firms to reduce “avoidable errors”
The deputy chief land registrar has called on conveyancing firms to ensure they are not making “avoidable errors” on registration applications.
North-east “best location” for small conveyancing firms
Small firms in the north-east of England are most likely to do better in the residential conveyancing market than other regions as the dominance of the large firms re-established itself.
“Difficult to see” future for unbundled conveyancing
It is “difficult to see” unbundled conveyancing services working, even if there is consumer demand for them, the chief executive of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers has said.
PE-backed conveyancing giants shying away from acquisitions
The bosses of two of the UK’s largest conveyancing firms, both backed by private equity, said yesterday that growth by acquisition was not high on their agendas.
Law firms flock to support National Conveyancing Week
Some 67 law firms have so far pledged their support for the first ever National Conveyancing Week in March, an initiative which aims to boost the profile and understanding of conveyancing.
Law firm did not breach contract by releasing off-plan deposits
A law firm which released nearly £1.3m in deposits for off-plan flats in a failed development in Liverpool did not breach its contract with the buyers, appeal judges have ruled.
Framework creates “common language” for property transactions
A set of tech tools designed to create a “common language” for property transactions has been launched by the Home Buying and Selling Group. It is being trialled by 10 law firms.
Leasehold extension specialist with “social aim” launches ABS
A business specialising in leasehold extensions has set up an alternative business structure to provide clients with a “one-stop shop” covering valuation, project management and legal advice.
Estate agents boss tells conveyancers to charge more
Conveyancers should charge more – or not pay referral fees – so they can reduce their workload and improve transaction times, the head of an estate agents body has argued.
Solicitor’s “blind spot” led to vulnerable client being defrauded
A very experienced solicitor who showed a “complete blind spot” with regard to his obligations to ‘know your client’ and recognise the risks of conveyancing fraud has been suspended for a year.
Regulator tells conveyancers to prepare for sharp work downturn
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has issued a stark warning to the law firms it regulates to “stress test their businesses for resilience” to a fall of up to 40% in work volumes.
Tribunal clears conveyancer over allegations of AML dishonesty
A solicitor accused of not having a firm-wide anti-money laundering risk assessment in place and lying about it to the SRA, has been cleared by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.
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.
