Residential conveyancing market looks to future

22nd December 2011

It's been a busy end of year for those in the residential conveyancing profession.

For example, at the end of November the Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) held the inaugural industry annual conference – an event which was attended by around 150 specialists and solicitors from the residential conveyancing sector.

Entitled "Embracing the Future of Conveyancing", the conference sought to address a number of challenges facing the ever-changing conveyancing market, including mortgage fraud, lender panel access and the importance of creating a level-playing field in the conveyancing market.

John Clay, chairman of the Society of Licensed Conveyancers, said, "The conference was a great success. We've had some very positive feedback, with many attendees also enjoying the networking opportunity that the day provided. We hope that this will become an eagerly anticipated annual event for the conveyancing industry."

Key speakers at the residential conveyancing event included Jennifer Bourne from the Council of Mortgage Lenders, Paul Broadhead from the Building Societies Association, Alex Roy from the Legal Services Board and Victor Olowe, CEO of the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.

Wills solicitors observe over-60s divorce rise

28th November 2011

New figures help demonstrate just how important it is that family law lawyers and wills solicitors are able to adapt to changes in the social environment. According to the stats, evermore over-60s are choosing to get divorced – something which is likely to have a profound impact on a great many families in the UK.

These figures, which were disclosed following a parliamentary question, reveal that there has been a four per cent rise in so-called "silver separations" in the past two years – at a time when there seems to be a drop in the divorce rate for couples in other age groups.

With many of these over-60s divorcees going on to find new partners, resulting in new marriages and sometimes new families, the question of what happens to estates is an interesting one. As wills solicitors and family law lawyers know, two separate but equally interested families is a sure-fire recipe for dispute, contention and a contested will.

However, many say that is important not to begrudge the over-60s for apparent selfishness and that we should instead applaud them for their bravery and conviction in starting afresh at a time when they are moving into the 'twilight' of their lives.

A spokesperson from over-50s group Saga comments, "We are really witnessing a major social revolution, with older generations no longer behaving in the traditional manner.

"The baby boomers are redefining life at older ages. That includes re-evaluating their relationships and deciding to start again.

"They realise there is still time for new horizons and new perspectives."

The spokesperson did concede, however, that divorce and separation can be "distressing" for children, even if they are well into adulthood themselves.

And there is a very real concern that as a result of this trend, in just a couple of decades wills solicitors could be dealing with a serious spike in cases involving contested wills.

Property solicitors in Chichester know all about hauntings

7th November 2011

It's something that even the best property solicitor in Chichester might struggle to come to grips with – a house that is reputed to be haunted or is notorious for being the scene of a disturbing murder.

Most people would be surprised to learn just how many such properties there are in and around Chichester. In fact, almost all estate agents, in any area, are likely to know of at least one house which has remained on the market for years as a result of ghouls and grisly memories keeping potential buyers at bay.

So, it will be no surprise for property solicitors in Chichester to learn that the Chartered Institute of Surveyors has gone on the record as saying that some properties are near impossible to sell as a result of being the site of either rumoured hauntings or confirmed crimes.

A spokesperson from the Institute commented, "While many factors can affect a property's value, unusual occurrences such as rumoured hauntings, celebrity inhabitants or high-profile crimes can have a significant effect on a house's saleability."

For example, the Institute said that one property in West Sussex remained on the market for a whole fifteen years despite being on the beachfront in a desirable area with good links to Chichester – more understandable perhaps when you learn that the house went onto the market following it being the scene of a murder in which a man killed his wife with a champagne bottle.

It would be tempting to say that these properties might, for some first-time buyers, represent the only chance to get on the property ladder, but no-one should be forced into a taking decision they are not comfortable with, particularly when it comes to buying a family home.

In my experience, these properties often end up being sold at auction, sometimes fetching a surprisingly good price after years spent latent and lost cause-like on the market. Another common circumstance is for them to end up as buy-to-let investments.

Family lawyers urge Government to think again on legal aid reform

11th October 2011

A recent national meeting of the Family Law Bar Association (FLBA) and the Bar Council, held via video link throughout the UK, confirmed family lawyers' fears that intended legal reforms will affect vulnerable families and children.

The Government's proposals, set out in the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill, include a huge reduction of the family law legal aid budget and lawyers, as well as organisations representing women, children and victims of domestic abuse, fear that these most-at-risk citizens will be left without access to legal advice and representation when they need it most.

Stephen Cobb QC, chairman of the FLBA said the reforms would result in an annual reduction of 54,000 people being able to seek justice through the family courts and this would see around 68,000 children, many of them involved in distressing and hostile divorce and relationship breakdowns, fall through the legal-aid net.

He stated, "The court system will be placed under considerable strain as unrepresented individuals, some suffering from mental health problems and the effects of domestic abuse, attempt to represent themselves in court, in some cases opposite experienced lawyers.

"Vulnerable children face the prospect of being cross-examined by their allegedly abusive parent."

The barrister also said that the Government's asserted view that mediation will be used in more family cases is not concurrent with the experience of senior family lawyers and judges.

He went on to urge the Government to "think again" about the proposals – particularly as only three per cent of respondents to the public consultation on legal aid reform supported the moves.

Paul Lewis presents award to Red Wheelies

29th September 2011

A group of Multiple Sclerosis sufferers has won a top sporting award from the disabled motoring charity, Disabled Motoring UK. The Red Wheelies won the Mobility Sport Award.

Paul Lewis, Partner at sponsors George Ide LLP Solicitors, presented the award to the Red Wheelies last Friday at the inaugural Disabled Motoring UK Awards, held alongside the Goodwood Revival Festival.

In presenting the award Paul said, "These ladies really are an inspiration to us all."

Helen Dolphin, Director of Policy & Campaigns at Disabled Motoring UK, said, "The Red Wheelies are a team of determined women all of whom have Multiple Sclerosis and who are out to prove that life is still worth living.

"They 'walked' Hadrian's Wall in 2009, followed by a 'pilgrimage' from Winchester Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral in 2010, and this year they have just broken the existing Guinness World Record for 'the greatest distance covered by a mobility scooter in 24 hours, with a massive 154 miles. The Red Wheelies are highly deserving winners of this award."

Jackie Weeden from The Red Wheelies, said, "We are stunned to win this award. We do what we do for fun and to show that there is life with MS. We hope that this award will help us continue to spread a positive awareness of MS. Alongside Disabled Motoring UK, we would also like to thank Quingo for their continued support and provision of our scooters."

Nominations for this award were considered from all sporting disciplines including, but not limited to, motorsports and official Paralympic sports and came from fellow members of Disabled Motoring UK. They featured a range of companies and individuals from around the country and beyond. A team of judges from Disabled Motoring UK, the British Parking Association and The Lively Crew decided the winners.