Property
First sale to use “gamechanger” e-signature completes
The UK’s first-ever property deal using the new qualified electronic signature, which is being trialled by HM Land Registry, was completed this week.
Land Registry moves towards “gamechanger” type of e-signature
HM Land Registry is to pilot the use of qualified electronic signatures that do not need to be witnessed, which it said could be a “gamechanger” for conveyancing.
Solicitors suspended for role in quick-sale property scheme
Two solicitors who breached the trust of vulnerable clients in need of cash by acting in a dodgy quick home sale scheme have been suspended from practice.
Agents call for regulated companies to supply property logbooks
Estate agents have called for the introduction of digital property logbooks, supplied by companies regulated by the government, to help speed up the conveyancing process.
Land Registry to pilot lawyer certificate scheme
HM Land Registry is to pilot a new lawyer certification scheme in the next year to “help provide trust” in the information it receives.
June breaks all records as homebuyers race to beat SDLT deadline
There were more property transactions in June than in any month on record as homebuyers rushed to beat the stamp duty land tax holiday deadline, HM Revenue & Customs revealed today.
Blockchain network aims to provide “missing link” for conveyancing
A house in Kent is the first being sold using a blockchain network that connects conveyancers with estate agents and mortgage lenders.
Conveyancing platform aims to be “central source of truth”
A conveyancing platform which aims to provide a “central source of truth” for buyers, sellers, estate agents and lawyers is being tested by law firms in Kent.
Stay polite and manage expectations, Law Society tells conveyancers
The Law Society has urged under-pressure conveyancers stay civil as they manage the risk that transactions will not complete by the stamp duty deadline at the end of this month.
NAHL to exit conveyancing as it targets PI law firm growth
NAHL plc is set to sell its residential conveyancing business as it looks to focus on growing its personal injury law firm in the wake of a difficult Covid-affected year for the business.
Surrey firm ordered to pay £800k for property negligence
A Surrey law firm has been ordered to pay more than £800,000 in damages for negligence after failing to tell its client that part of a property he thought he had bought had been retained by the seller.
£26m fund to support take-up of local land charges register
The government has unveiled a £26m fund to support local authorities in migrating to the national local land charges register, with the aim of bringing all 336 on board by 2025.
Firm sued over ground rent that doubles every five years
A West Midlands law firm is being sued by a client who claims it failed to tell of a “ridiculous” ground rent that doubles every five years – meaning she will be paying £1m a year in 50 years.
Immigration and civil litigation hit hardest by Covid-19
Immigration and civil litigation were the two areas of legal practice hit hardest by the pandemic last year, with private client and family law “insulated” from the impact, new research has found.
Law firms to offer upfront conveyancing transaction packs
A national panel of law firms is being created to allow estate agents and members of the public to find conveyancers prepared to provide buyers with upfront property transaction packs.
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.
