Property
First law firm joins government’s passport checking pilot
Convey Law has become the first law firm to join the government’s Document Checking Service pilot, meaning it can check information contained in UK passports against government records.
Solicitor struck off for “sophisticated” Land Registry fraud
A solicitor jailed for more than three years for forging Land Registry documents in a family dispute with the owners of a Newcastle takeaway has been struck off.
Conveyancing giant enters the big leagues as acquisitions pay off
Simplify, the private equity-owned group that leads the conveyancing market, is now one of the largest legal businesses in the country with a turnover of £139m last year, its accounts have shown.
Fine for solicitor who acted on both sides in “undue influence” house sale
A solicitor acted for both sides in a house sale at an undervalue between a 78-year-old woman and her 34-year-old boyfriend, which was set aside by the High Court on the grounds of undue influence.
Negligence claim against Irwin Mitchell thrown out after assignment
National law firm Irwin Mitchell has been granted summary judgment in a professional negligence claim because the retainer prevented its former client assigning his cause of action.
Ince launches client onboarding solution for estate agents
Listed law firm Ince has launched a product to help estate agents onboard clients in a way that meets the demands of anti-money laundering regulations.
Law Commission eyes home-buying reform and digital justice projects
Rethinking the home-buying process – including bringing an end to caveat emptor – and putting digital justice on a firm footing are among projects being considered by the Law Commission.
Solicitor struck off for forging signatures while a trainee
A solicitor who forged a qualified colleague’s signature on conveyancing documents while still a trainee has been struck off, with a tribunal rejecting her claim that she had been authorised to do it.
Conveyancers offered digital ID check ‘safe harbour’
HM Land Registry published its first Digital Identity Standard last week, offering conveyancers a ‘safe harbour’ if they use it to verify their client’s identity digitally.
Solicitor and unadmitted wife reprimanded over work on client files
A former solicitor who had access to the files of matters he had referred to his conveyancing manager wife has been given the lowest-level sanction by the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal