Society attacks in-house deregulation plan (LSG)
The Law Society has said it will oppose regulatory changes that could lead to unregulated solicitors providing unreserved services to the public.
Big firms will “push non-reserved work into unregulated businesses” (LF)
Major law firms will soon “eschew the solicitor brand” in favour of conducting non-reserved legal business in the unregulated sector, the compliance officer at a top City firm has predicted.
New service aimed at preventing fall-throughs signs up first agents (PIE)
Gazeal, the new service aimed at preventing fall-throughs, has already signed up estate agents just days after launch.
SRA to focus on individual regulation and professionalism, Philip says (LF)
The SRA will focus more on individual regulation and less on firms in the year ahead, chief executive Paul Philip has said.
Amazing 91% of public back estate agents (EAT)
An overwhelming 91 per cent of the public have given their backing to the service of estate agents in a poll conducted by Agents Giving.
Hopper roasts SRA over its tendency to assume the worst in solicitors (LF)
The leading specialist solicitor in regulation matters yesterday urged the SRA not to approach law firms with the worst possible assumptions and warned it was driving a wedge between the […]
Litigation eases for estate agents (LSG)
The number of legal actions against estate agents and chartered surveyors has significantly fallen as a six-year window for lenders bringing claims related to the 2008 crash draws to a […]
More solicitors but fewer firms and partners, Law society survey shows (LF)
The trend towards fewer, bigger law firms and fewer partners is continuing, despite increasing numbers of practising solicitors, the annual Law Society statistical report has confirmed.
Gazeal – ending gazumping forever (TC)
Goodbye to gazumping and guzundering – and the 22% fall through rate on property purchases.
“Be Vigilant” SRA warns after new bank scam
The SRA continues to call for extra vigilance across the sector after a small north east conveyancing firm became the latest victim of telephone bank scammers.
Labour “scraps stamp duty for first time buyers” (EAT)
In a dramatic intervention in the sales market, Labour says it will scrap stamp duty for first time buyer purchases of properties valued up to £300,000.
Number of practitioners rising fast (LSG)
The number of solicitors in private practice grew at its fastest rate for nine years in 2014, further confirming the profession’s recovery from economic crisis and recession.