More Features and Opinion – Page 4
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FeatureBest interests
Do you know your obligations around identifying and addressing potential conflicts of interest? Tracey Calvert provides a refresher guide to conflicts in conveyancing practice
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FeatureBrave new world
If you’re working in a firm outside the top-100, you might not realise how you could benefit from the wave of technological innovation in the property sector. Graham Murphy looks at some high-profile innovators and the effect on practice, now and in the future
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FeatureUnder control?
Do you know that your law firm is a data controller under the new General Data Protection Regulation, and you must comply with them, or face fines of up to €20m or four per cent of your annual global turnover? Owen O’Rorke provides a beginner’s guide to compliance
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FeatureStanding strong
When you’re faced with a particularly challenging client, it can be daunting to think about either asking them to change their behaviour, or ceasing to act for them. But, says Gary Richards, sometimes this is exactly what you need to do
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FeatureKeep it clean
The Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations came into force on 26 June. Pearl Moses looks at some of the new requirements for property practitioners
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FeatureQuality street
A new quality assurance process has been introduced for Conveyancing Quality Scheme member firms. Atif Ali, head of the CQS technical assessment team, explains the changes
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FeatureTaxing issue
The Criminal Finances Act 2017 introduces new offences of the failure to prevent facilitation of tax evasion, fundamentally changing the compliance and anti-money laundering requirements imposed on law firms and clients. Hugo Daniel Lodge explains
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FeaturePrivate eyes
Peter Farrington, vice president of the Association of British Investigators, explains how private investigators can be a valuable asset for a solicitor dealing with possession proceedings, and gives some tips on building an effective working relationship.
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FeatureBuyers beware?
Consumer protection regulations which came into force in 2008 have gone largely unnoticed by conveyancers, but they could have a major implication: the overriding of caveat emptor in transactions where the buyer is a consumer. Lawrence Heller explains
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FeatureDirect hit
The fourth Anti-Money Laundering Directive will be transposed into law in England and Wales on 26 June. But, Alex Ktorides cautions, property practitioners may still not be aware of the potentially significant effect of the directive on their work
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FeatureNew horizons
Philip Giles explains how private client, property and family departments can best work together when advising cohabitees, highlighting the risks and opportunities involved
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FeatureCautionary tales
Every day in this country, conveyancing firms face attempted attacks from cybercriminals. Graham Murphy offers some real-life tales of successful cybercrime, and looks at what those involved could have done to protect themselves
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FeatureBe prepared
The Property Section will be running a series of seminars on fraud and cybercrime this spring. Peter Rodd looks at the challenges facing conveyancers, and the steps you need to take to protect yourself now and in the future
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FeatureGreat minds
Lucy Trevelyan examines the personality traits and ‘soft skills’ best suited to being a property law professional, how to develop these skills, and what clients are looking for from their property solicitor
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FeatureRinging the changes
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is consulting on major changes to the regulation of solicitors and firms, designed to streamline regulation and encourage innovation. But with the change come significant risks, especially to clients, argues Michael Garson
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FeatureHandle with care
Residential conveyancing is once again the most complained about area of law, according to the Legal Ombudsman. Pearl Moses looks at how to mitigate some of the most common causes, and outlines complaints-handling best practice and regulatory requirements
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FeatureSailing through
The Conveyancing Protocol has been in place for over five years, but there are still common areas of non-compliance on both sides of transactions. Sarah Dwight outlines these areas, and the steps solicitors should take
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FeatureMoving with the times
Lucy Trevelyan looks at recent trends in the use of office space in law firms and beyond – including agile working, shoring and activity-based working – and examines the drivers for change, plus the benefits and possible pitfalls
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