JR reforms become law as parliament winds down
By Michael Cross >> (28 April 2022) The government’s judicial review reforms entered the statute book today – the last day of the parliamentary session – with ministers claiming to have delivered on a manifesto commitment ‘to ensure courts are not open to abuse and delay’. The Judicial Review and Courts Act is one of four […]
‘Messy situation’: ground rent reform becomes law
By Monidipa Fouzder >> (11 February 2022) Housing developers could face a ‘messy situation’ now that a bill setting the ground rent for new leasehold properties at ‘one peppercorn’ per year has become law, a residential property solicitor has warned. Housing minister Eddie Hughes said the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act, which received Royal assent this […]
‘Safety should be the priority’ – Society warns on Covid case rise
By Gazette Reporter >> (20 December 2021) The safety and availability of criminal defence solicitors is being put at risk after calls to revert to remote police station advice were rejected by the police despite the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the Law Society has warned. A police station protocol was introduced in April […]
Concern over ‘unrealistic’ conveyancing expectations ahead of stamp duty deadline
By Moidipa Fouzder >> (18 December 2020) The Law Society is urging people wanting to buy or sell a home during the temporary stamp duty holiday to have realistic expectations about completing before the 31 March deadline. In July, chancellor of the exchequer Rishi Sunak announced he was cutting stamp duty for residential properties in […]
Pre-recorded evidence now an option across England and Wales
By Jemma Slingo >> (23 November 2020) Vulnerable individuals now have the option to pre-record evidence in all Crown courts across England and Wales in the latest government move to relieve pressure on victims of crime. From today, vulnerable alleged victims and witnesses such as children or people with disabilities will be able to pre-record cross-examination […]
Lockdown II: Law firm offices allowed to open and clients can visit
By John Hyde >> (6 November 2020) The government has confirmed that solicitors can meet clients in their firms if this is necessary during the second lockdown. The Law Society said it has met with officials from various government departments this week and secured agreement on interpretation of the rules that law firm offices are […]
NEWS MoJ sticking to RTA Portal start date as rules thrashed out
By John Hyde >> (16 October 2020) Significant progress has been made towards the government’s goal of opening the RTA Portal from next spring. The Gazette understands the Civil Procedure Rule Committee met earlier this month for the first time since June and discussed the potential regulations surrounding the scheme. The Ministry of Justice has since confirmed […]
Conveyancing guidance on witness-free electronic signatures imminent
By Monidipa Fouzder >> (5 October 2020) HM Land Registry has revealed it is close to publishing draft guidance on a more sophisticated form of electronic signature that will not require a witness in a conveyancing transaction. However, witnessed electronic signatures are here to stay for at least another couple of years. Land Registry began […]
HMCTS to introduce evening sessions in magistrates’ court
By Monidipa Fouzder >> (24 September 2020) HM Courts & Tribunals Service has revealed that it will introduce evening courts to bring down the backlog of cases in the magistrates’ court. In a webinar discussing HMCTS’s crime recovery plan yesterday, deputy director Jason Latham said HMCTS was in the ‘final stages’ of identifying how to […]
PRESS RELEASE
MT UK OPENS ITS NEW CITY OFFICE UNDER THE “NEW NORMAL” London: 21 September 2020 – MT UK Solicitors (MT UK) announces the opening of its new city office under the “New Normal” situation at 6 Gate Street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Holborn, London, WC2A 3HP. MT UK’s city office has been formally declared open for […]
