London Legal Walk – 2022
London: 5 July 2022 – Team MT UK with more than 800 teams and over 12,000 walkers from the Legal sector participated in London Legal Walk on Tuesday 28 June 2022, with the intention to raise funds for the London Legal Support Trust (LLST), an independent charity trust that helps people in obtaining free legal […]
HMCTS figures confirm divorce ‘bulge’
By Monidipa Fouzder >> (16 June 2022) Nearly 13,000 couples filed for divorce in the first four weeks after reforms designed to make the process less acrimonious came into force, according to official figures. This equates to roughly 1,000 more applications per week than in the same period last year. Under provisions of the Divorce, […]
Guidance: EU Settlement Scheme: Zambrano primary carers
(Published 13 June 2022) Following the Court of Appeal’s judgment in the case of Akinsanya, the Home Secretary has reconsidered the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) requirements for applicants relying on being a Zambrano primary carer. Such a person is a direct relative or legal guardian who, at the end of the transition period on 31 December […]
First electronically signed property deal goes through
By Michael Cross >> (1 June 2022) Top-100 firm Hugh James has become the first conveyancer to complete a transaction with HM Land Registry with an electronic signature which does not require a witness. The transaction was enabled with a ‘qualified electronic signature’ verified by an electronic identity check. The process of transferring title took […]
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 […]
