More Features and Opinion – Page 5
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FeatureWatching brief
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is set to make major changes to regulation in the legal sector this spring. Michael Garson outlines the context for the change agenda and the particular issues around conveyancing
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FeatureWho do you know?
David Gilroy explains how effective client relationship management can help you keep and win clients, and how to get it right in practice
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FeatureSupply and demand
New consumer rights legislation, likely to come into force within the year, will have implications for all suppliers to consumers – including solicitors. David Pett outlines the new regime, and the actions conveyancers need to take
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FeatureNo good advice
The risks attached to giving independent legal advice are well known throughout the profession. But, as Stephen Boyle warns, in attempting to limit their exposure to giving advice, firms are not actually managing the risks at all, but leaving themselves open to litigation
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OpinionThings have changed
The legal profession is naturally resistant to change, says Peter Rodd, but the transition from paper to online conveyancing is both logical and necessary
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FeatureSwings and roundabouts
Mark Carver looks at the effects of property booms and recessions on risk in conveyancing transactions, and what changes the future might bring
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FeatureAsk the experts
Roger Buston reviews a new multi-author title covering the practice of residential conveyancing, from compliance to clients, and from mortgage fraud to fees
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FeatureGreat expectations
In a rising market, the expectations placed on conveyancers, from not only clients, but also lenders, estate agents and mortgage brokers, can put a real strain on conveyancing practice. Paul Coombes explains how you can manage expectations and stay ahead
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FeatureTaking care
Paul Philip will be giving the keynote plenary speech at the National Property Law Conference in October. Here, he outlines some of the findings from the SRA’s 2014 Risk Outlook and gives the SRA’s perspective on where firms need to be extra vigilant
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FeatureSnakes and ladders
With the property market looking up, many conveyancing firms are back in the recruitment market. But how can you ensure that you recruit the appropriate staff resource to cope with future market changes? Victor Olowe explains
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FeatureOpen house
New legislation offers homebuyers and tenants greater protection from misleading statements about properties, but it will also affect property agents and solicitors. Robert Bolwell explains
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FeatureSafe as houses
Conveyancing has traditionally been considered a high-risk area for complaints and insurance claims from both clients and lenders. Steve Ray explains how conveyancing firms can allay these concerns for the insurers and get the best out of this year’s renewal process
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OpinionRisky business
With the sobering news in January that 136 firms have folded, having failed to obtain professional indemnity insurance, Peter Rodd explains how firms could better manage risk to avoid becoming another statistic.
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FeatureGoing under
Iain Miller looks at the risks of giving or relying on undertakings, outlines enforcement options, and considers the impact of outcomes-focused regulation
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OpinionWinds of change
Peter Rodd looks back at the developments of recent decades which have changed the face of conveyancing – and forward to the next big change: the Law Society’s Conveyancing Portal
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FeatureA valuable commodity
Richard Burcher pushes back against the perception that property work has become commoditised, and explains how the approach taken to communicating with clients about the cost of legal services can make all the difference in how a firm’s services are valued
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FeaturePoor conditions
Jonathan Smithers offers advice on how to comply with the Law Society’s Conveyancing Protocol in relation to standard and special conditions of sale, and warns against the unnecessary inclusion of additional conditions, with some practical examples
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FeatureAiming high
In the first in a series of articles in association with the Law Society’s Law Management Section, Andrew Otterburn offers a simple solution to assessing and improving the profitability of your firm’s conveyancing work
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FeatureLife’s great mysteries
Winning business is one of the biggest challenges in today’s hugely competitive market. But, as the results of a recent mystery shopping exercise show, many conveyancing firms are failing at this vital step. Richard Mathias outlines the lessons to learn
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OpinionDifferent strokes
For conveyancing solicitors, quality is a key differentiator in a packed market. But does quality mean the same thing to us as to our clients, or from one client to the next? Peter Rodd reports