ConveyancingFOCUS By
ISSUE 3 | SUMMER 2015
360 LEGAL GROUP Focus On The Outcome
QUALITY SOLICITORS Trends And Predictions
VEYO
LANDMARK FLOOD RE
It’s Here!
Protection For At-Risk Properties
GROUNDSURE
Location Intelligence: Understand Your Area
CILEX Build Your Career
BUILDING BRITAIN
Interview With Kevin McCloud
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ConveyancingFOCUS By
CONTENTS
4 5 6 8 11 12 13 14 15
Industry News Fitzalan Partners, Title Consultancy and Cilex
Industry News St Giles, QualitySolicitors & Lawyer Checker
The interview Kevin McCloud on why he loves property
Account Plus and St Giles Insuring Success
magazine. In this edition we have exciting interviews with
Embrace outcome-focused regulation
Searches UK Office Manager, Michaela Mocilanova
QualitySolicitors A view of the property market post-election
Groundsure Location Intelligence: Understand your area
and other members of the Searches UK team. There are also exclusive articles from QualitySolicitors, Veyo, Groundsure and Landmark. Our magazine is brought to you by a team of industry professionals to provide the very latest news, trends,
Career Ladder
offers and information about the legal, property and
Searches UK’s Office Manager, Michaela Mocilanova,
conveyancing sectors.
on her career path
With exciting times ahead for the search industry, it is
Searches UK : Meet The Team Get to know three more members of the
Veyo The conveyancing portal for volume conveyancers
our aim to keep readers up to date about products and services which can help enhance their working life. If you would like to feature in Conveyancing FOCUS, share your opinions, or provide feedback, please email us at info@searchesuk.co.uk, call us on 0800 043 1815 or visit www.conveyancingfocus.co.uk.
Landmark Flood Re Looking after properties at risk from flooding
LegalEx Reporting on this national event and conference for the legal profession
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third instalment of Searches UK’s property related
Channel 4’s Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud,
and sole practitioners
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Welcome to July’s issue of Conveyancing FOCUS, the
360 Legal Group
Searches UK team
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WELCOME
Searches UK Website launch and Find Sid!
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Published by: Portfolio Publications | www.portfoliopublications.co.uk
Printed by: Gemini Press Front cover Image: Main image courtesy of Searches UK
All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher.
ConveyancingFOCUS: News
NEWS FITZALAN PARTNERS: THE SOLUTION TO CONVEYANCING?
As consumers continue to turn to the internet for purchases, the next generation of homebuyers and sellers are automatically transacting online for their conveyancing needs. Consumers now have an abundance of choice at their fingertips and the ability to be even more selective when faced with online reviews and comparisons. With huge budgets in place at large organisations to help them build an online presence, it’s understandable that smaller businesses can find it difficult to invest in marketing expertise whilst
remaining profitable. Conveyancing firms are increasingly looking for ways to keep costs low whilst broadening their reach, but where can they turn? Many firms have already joined forces with Fitzalan Partners to help them reach homebuyers and sellers online. With over 90 regulated solicitors on their panel, they are becoming the one-stop solution for many firms by generating direct online enquiries through their well-known brands Fridays Move, HomeWard Legal and Indeed. That’s not all, generating enquires means increased traffic which needs managing and this may then provide further challenges. Fitzalan Partner’s UK based, dedicated sales team use their skills and expertise in buyer/seller behaviour to convert these
enquiries into fully packaged conveyancing instructions which are then transferred direct to firms to complete the process. For firms, there are no large marketing and administration budgets needed and no need for extensive handling of objections to convert the lead which saves both time and money. Instead, there are opportunities to keep up with changing needs, an increase in new business and remaining in complete control of workloads. To discuss how your firm could benefit from working in partnership with Fitzalan Partners, contact PJ Singh, Strategic Business Development Manager, on 0203 137 9599 or pj@fitzalanpartners.co.uk.
SUMMER BLUES FOR CONVEYANCERS
DRAINS THAT BECAME SEWERS
Summer is here: a time to enjoy good weather and look forward to outdoor festivals and concerts, trips to the countryside, going on holiday and having that well earned rest. However, summertime is traditionally one of the busiest times in the UK property market as it is the most popular time for sellers to sell their properties and for buyers to buy properties. So the summer months can be a headache for those managing Conveyancing firms as it is often the most popular time for staff to take their holidays leaving the firm having to deal with an increase in work at a time when there is a decrease in staff. This is a particular problem as most holidays taken by staff tend to be for one or two weeks and it is difficult and expensive to obtain locum cover for such short periods of time. The Title Consultancy offer a flexible service to Conveyancing firms being an “as and when needed service” enabling Conveyancing firms to deal with the short-term spikes in business or shortages of staff which are common during the summer months. With a combined 25 years of Conveyancing experience as fee earners and team managers for both High Street and volume Conveyancing firms, The Title Consultancy offer a fully insured service of Title reporting for Conveyancing firms. Covering a whole range of property types including, but not limited to, registered and unregistered freehold and leasehold properties, newbuild properties, help to buy, shared ownership, Tyneside (“crossover”) Leaseholds, repossessions, PRC properties and right to buy, The Title Consultancy will prepare the report and draft enquiries with an average turnaround of 1 to 2 days. Using The Title Consultancy service enables the Conveyancer to enjoy their holiday with peace of mind knowing that files are being dealt with efficiently and transactions are progressing smoothly and that they will not return to piles of “extremely urgent” files and frustrated clients. Contact: info@thetitleconsultancy.co.uk, tel: 0191 253 4387 or visit: www.thetitleconsultancy.co.uk
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) is proposing changes to the 2011 Regulations that made drains serving more than one property into public sewers. Building over a private drain whether shared or not, might have required Building Regulation approval but is unlikely to have required the consent of any upstream user. Many private drains which became public sewers by transfer on 1 October 2011 are likely to have been built over. Where an extension was built over what was formerly a private drain and is now a public sewer, the vendor could get round the build over consent problem by paying for indemnity insurance or applying for retrospective build over consent (or written confirmation from the water company that none is required). None of the available options are particularly appealing and often cause delay or extra expense. One option might be for new builds with Building Regulation consent to be exempted from build over consent requirements. Where the existence or absence of a build over agreement is disclosed by drainage and water searches maybe the CML Handbook could be clarified on whether this is a disclosable adverse entry. On behalf of its members CILEx has started talking to water companies about this problem and how to minimise the potential for slowing down sales and purchases. CILEx seeks conveyancers’ views so it can approach government about the potential for amendments to The Water Industry (Schemes for Adoption of Private Sewers) Regulations 2011.
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If you have direct experience of the problem and how this affects transactions, CILEx would love to hear from you. Please email CorporateAffairs@cilex.org.uk.
ConveyancingFOCUS: News
QUALITYSOLICITORS ROLLS OUT ONLINE CUSTOMER PLATFORM TO HELP HOMEBUYERS AND SELLERS QualitySolicitors have revealed the ongoing development of conveyancing features to its industry-leading Customer Online Platform, helping to create a more streamlined and convenient experience for both clients and its 200-strong network of high street firms. The rollout follows a successful trial of the divorce online platform earlier this year and will enable key stages of the house buying process to be submitted online, shaving valuable time off the entire process and enhancing the overall customer experience. The platform currently allows clients from select QualitySolicitors firms to submit ID documentation online for background checks, saving them an unnecessary trip into the office. It also enables them to make payments to firms online, helping to speed up the process. In development is also a conveyancing on-boarding
function allowing clients to instruct their local firm, similar to the existing tool for divorce matters. Key features of the QualitySolicitors Customer Online Platform already include: • Online Product Selector and Instruction Tool, allowing clients to find and instruct their local QualitySolicitors firm remotely • Online Client Care Process, providing clients with the ability to view and accept terms and conditions online rather than waiting to receive them through the post • Online Payment Gateway, allowing clients to make payments to QualitySolicitors firms quickly and simply using an online merchant services solution, shaving up to two weeks off the process
Available soon: • Client ‘On-boarding’ Tool, allowing clients to start the entire conveyance process with their local QualitySolicitors firm online including ID checks, removing the need for a first meeting • Conversation Flow Case Wizard, allowing clients to provide initial first meeting information online in a familiar consumer friendly format • The Conveyancing Customer Online Platform will be rolling out across QualitySolicitors firms over the course of 2015. Contact: 0800 882 4979 or visit: www.qualitysolicitors.com
WRAP UP YOUR CONVEYANCING RISK MANAGEMENT Apply a Blanket Policy to all of your active cases when implementing Lawyer Checker’s AES (Account and Entity Screen) search into your risk management processes. Making this part of every conveyancing transaction allows you, you firm and your department to demonstrate Outcomes Focussed thinking across the board for this specific and very current risk. BENEFITS OF USING A BLANKET POLICY: 1. Cut down on Fee Earner time by having a Blanket Policy when it comes to checking recipient account details. 2. Use LC on every single transaction and eliminate the need for a process to decide whether or not to use LC. 3. An efficient and easy way to carry out all important due diligence on the firm who will be receiving funds from your client account. 4. Don’t leave it to chance- checking of account details on an ad-hoc basis means that you may unwittingly find that you have sent funds to criminals or a mistaken account. 5. Potentially vital and important information could be picked up by an AES search 6. Help your COLP maintain high standards. 7. Adhere to Principle 10 – protect client money and assets and evidence this with a LC report. 8. Establish, monitor, record and report – the SRA now expects all firms to take reasonable steps when verifying that the recipient firm is a genuine one. 9. Prove that fee earners are consistently ensuring monies are being transferred to legitimate recipients. 10. Support your firm’s AML, Risk Management and Supervision policies. Checking the account that you are sending funds to is therefore vital in every transaction. Recent cases show how criminals are accurately cloning firms. They are sophisticated and can look and sound like a firm to dupe you into sending your client’s money to them. Don’t get caught out – apply a blanket policy to use Lawyer Checker on all transactions and beat the criminal conveyancer. For just £10 + VAT on pay as you go, what could be simpler? Have as many users as you need with access to your order history. This means that you can identify previous and current searches allowing for total transparency when it comes to understanding the transaction history of those firms you have searched. Contact Searches UK today on 0800 043 1815 or alternatively sign up at: www.lawyerchecker.co.uk
COMPLAINTS OR COMPLIANCE: 2015 UPDATE 2.5 CPD HOURS - 5 VENUES IN THE UK: Birmingham, Brighton, Newcastle, Southampton, Southport. These seminars will look at: • The compliance culture: risk assessment, methodology and management • Solicitors Regulation Authority requirements • The changing compliance world and how it relates to your firm • Review of recent negligence cases - what could have been done to avoid the claims • A practical Anti-Money Laundering & Anti-Fraud update Visit the CPD page on the Searches UK website at www.searchesuk.co.uk for further information about dates and times or alternatively call St Giles directly on 0208 236 7420 or visit www.stgilesgroup.co.uk.
Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk
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ConveyancingFOCUS: The Interview
BUILDING BRITAIN
The owner of a 15th century property himself, Kevin McCloud has resisted blindly following trends in modern housing. His emphasis is on sustainable building, as he reveals to Conveyancing FOCUS.
If over 100 episodes of Grand Designs have taught us anything, it’s that the people of Britain are eclectic, pedantic and altogether dynamic in their housing design choices. Presenter Kevin McLoud celebrates the importance of people and community in ensuring quality and sustainable house design… Kevin McCloud insists, “I wouldn’t know a trend if it hit me in the face”. The TV architect is effortlessly open-minded, verging on slick, with regard to any aspect of design, yet despite his protestations, the long-time presenter is certainly savvy enough to identify a pattern when it comes to our relationship with design. “At the beginning of every century in design and architecture, people stop and look back at the last century and say, ‘Oh my God, we didn’t get any of that, quick, let’s have some,’ and you get this rush of building and design and furniture which is kind of retro; you see it right now with a complete craze
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for anything vintage from 1930-90s. And that’s the way it works – it’s a fascinating renewal and reinvention, but as human beings we thrive on that kind of thing.” We might be buying up decades-old design, but at the same time we’re looking to the future – does he agree? “Oh yes, we’re forward-thinking as well. What is coming to design in the next 20-30 years? Well, I can see a return to very natural, sustainable materials… basic stuff.” “I also think that - because of changes in technology and the way that we design, survey and model things really cheaply within 10 or 15 years we are going to see all kinds of home products and personal stuff like shoes, made, not in some factory in Germany, China or Portugal, but in a shop ‘round the corner, using really sophisticated 3D printing techniques.” McCloud’s vision of the future then, is one that allows us all to become designers and makers, and he looks back to Britain’s
ConveyancingFOCUS: The Interview
longstanding reputation for industry for emphasis. “It’s rather cool to think that right now in Britain, because we still make stuff, we still have the techniques and innovation and design techniques as well, and we’ve got these great resources.” With Britain feeding into a new kind of making, an optimistic McCloud says that today’s Britain, combined with aerospace technologies and new growth in rapid prototyping and 3D printers, makes for a fascinating time to be alive. So is it all about innovation, or are we still looking back to the traditional building of ages gone by? After all, for every ultramodern new build, there’s the derelict cottage restored brick by brick. “Right now there’s a whole band of architects who are really trying to evolve a style of architecture which does both,” McCloud continues. “This architecture incorporates natural materials alongside contemporary and provides you with an airtight insulated building.” The builds McCloud presides over on Grand Designs fluctuate from retro eco simplicity, to state-of-the-art chrome numbers. “The very extreme eco wooden, grass-roofed, clay-walled approach to building still represents the minority of buildings constructed, but let’s not consider it irrelevant.
“In fact, low impact building remains an important approach - many architects are designing buildings for second and third world countries, where actually that’s where we’re going to see the most amazing amount of population growth, and it’s important that we develop technologies for building that allow communities to empower themselves and to use available materials. Absolutely, rely on earth and stone and available timbers rather than importing concrete and glass.”
“I can see a return to very natural, sustainable materials… basic stuff” Another issue facing Britain’s housing industry, of course, is the lack of actual houses. Land and house prices are constantly on the rise, shutting people out of the market. McCloud has previously noted that we haven’t produced enough housing since the Second World War, and when it comes to communal building projects closer to home, the presenter believes we need to look to people for the
solutions, examining how to revitalise our cities on the terms of the residents, not necessarily the architects. McCloud wants these stakeholders to have their say before plans hit the drawing board. “I think the strategies that local authorities put together are quite generalist - they’re saying, ‘well this is going to be a work area, here’s the bus route and the houses go here’. And that’s about as detailed as it gets, really. Then they sit and wait for people to put in their planning applications.” “Remember, regeneration almost never happens top down - it starts with a few people making a claim, saying ‘I believe in this place’.” One of McCloud’s own projects, Happiness, Architecture, Beauty (HAB), is a sustainable housing development business with five goals around sustainability, context, architectural value, the social nature of good architecture and profitability. HAB uses materials with low environmental impact, where water management and durability are paramount. It’s a project where clear design, communication and integrity are of utmost importance; it’s Kevin McCloud all over. “It may be me all over, but it’s also going to become the norm – it has to if we are to keep building fantastic homes whilst looking after the very land it’s built on.”
“His architecture incorporates natural materials alongside contemporary and provides you with an airtight insulated building”
Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk
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ConveyancingFOCUS: Account Plus & St Giles
ACCOUNT PLUS Searches UK offer all the tools needed to run a successful firm and maximise business opportunities. Running a successful firm is no easy job. As the market adapts to new technologies, endless compliance regulations and checklists, and a fast moving property market, it is more important than ever for your firm to receive the right assistance to help embrace these changes in the most efficient and effective way possible. At Searches UK we are always exploring new and unique ways to support solicitors and conveyancers in the day to day operating of their business. That’s why we have collaborated with 360 Legal Group to bring you Account Plus - a fantastic scheme which offers a variety of benefits to clients in dealing with the management of their firm and providing effective tools to improve the way their business operates. Account Plus provides a host of services and checklists that support solicitors and
conveyancers to manage their firm as well as assisting them to keep up to date with market trends and legal requirements. These benefits include compliance and strategic review visits, marketing support, telephone helplines for business or compliance queries, professional indemnity advice and support, CPD events and webinars, plus much more! Louise Gash, Sales & Marketing Director at 360 Legal Group said, “We are delighted to be working in collaboration with Searches UK and look forward to welcoming their clients as 360 Legal Group members.” Sales and Marketing Director, Lisa Summerton said, “We are very excited to offer our clients a membership scheme, which supplies a range of benefits to support in the management, practice, marketing and development of legal firms.
Searches UK is more than just a search provider, and it is important to us to be able to assist our clients in as many ways as possible. It’s a pleasure to offer this niche service, which we know will be of great convenience to firms.” Setting up an account with Searches UK for your conveyancing search orders is quick and easy; contact us today to start taking advantage of Account Plus’ business and compliance support for FREE! For more information on products and services please contact us via email at info@searchesuk.co.uk or visit our website at www.searchesuk.co.uk. Alternatively, if you would like to speak to a member of our team please call 0800 043 1815.
INSURING SUCCESS Just as you thought you had got over your last PII renewal the 2015 renewal season will soon be upon us. Just as you thought you had got over your last PII renewal the 2015 renewal season will soon be upon us! The good news is that (unlike last year) the SRA are unlikely to be putting forward any proposals which could affect this year’s renewal. However, it is understood that they are working on proposals to put before the profession later this year. What these proposals amount to remains unclear but the SRA is determined to re-vamp some of the terms under which the PII policy is written. We will have to wait and see! The SRA report on the 2014 renewal shows that QBE, Travelers, Zurich and Am Trust have the largest market share. The newcomers to the market took a small market share and unrated Insurers remained responsible for insuring a large number of smaller firms. As to what will happen this year it is still too early to say. At the moment, there are no indications that any Insurer is withdrawing and no firm indications that there will be new Insurers
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in the market, although often new Insurers do not enter the market much before August/September.
“St Giles Legal and Professional Risks is an independent brokerage which has been insuring solicitors since the beginning of the open market in 2001” Insurers are keeping their cards close to their chest in relation to rates but our advice would always be to use an independent broker who has access to a wide range of Insurers to make sure your
firm has the best choices in the market. St Giles Legal and Professional Risks is an independent brokerage which has been insuring solicitors since the beginning of the open market in 2001. Being solicitors we understand the needs of the legal profession and what your bespoke requirements are (especially in relation to firms who carry out property work). We have a number of Insurers who will offer competitive market rates to firms doing conveyancing and especially where the firm is doing in excess of 50% conveyancing work within a practice. In a recent Law Society survey St Giles was the largest broker to have placed 100% of all risks shown to them last year. We would be very happy to assist in your renewal this year. Please visit the St Giles website at www.stgilespi.co.uk or contact Simon Gale on 0208 236 7420.
ConveyancingFOCUS: New Team Members
SEARCHES UK: NEW TEAM MEMBERS Joel Swann – Business Development Manager joel@searchesuk.co.uk | 07802 722694 Joel comes from a search provider background and is committed to developing relationships with existing and prospective clients. As our Business Development Manager he is responsible for creating new business opportunities with solicitor and conveyancing firms. He is always keen to meet clients face to face and wants to work with them to find the best products and services for their needs. Joel will regularly be seen at industry events and is happy to meet clients at their firm so they don’t have to leave the comfort of their office. Quick Fire Facts: • Joel travelled for a year visiting South East Asia and Australia • He is a massive Manchester United fan and enjoys playing football as well as golf and other sports • When travelling to new countries Joel loves to go scuba diving
Kirstie Prodger – Marketing Executive kirstie@searchesuk.co.uk | 01273 229 338 Kirstie is our Marketing Executive and is responsible for producing marketing material for Searches UK; she is passionate about marketing and loves writing PR and improving our social media presence. She comes from a marketing background and also has events experience. She loves learning new things and wants to grow her knowledge of the conveyancing industry. Quick Fire Facts: • Kirstie loves being outdoors, in parks or on the beach • She has a shameful lust for trashy TV – Jeremy Kyle is her favourite show • As a keen runner she is also hoping to complete the Brighton Marathon soon
Jessica Speight – Conveyancing Search Specialist jessica@searchesuk.co.uk | 01273 229 339 Jessica works in our Returns Team and is responsible for ensuring our clients receive their completed search reports as quickly as possible. She is always happy to help with any queries our clients may have and is on hand to assist with the progress of your orders. Jessica comes from a customer care background and has worked on charity fundraising campaigns. Quick Fire Facts: • Jessica is a vegetarian and has never eaten any meat or fish • She plays Grade 5 piano • With a love of travelling, Jessica enjoys exploring new places and has been to Vietnam, Cambodia, Namibia, Costa Rica and Malaysia to name a few
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Why join? For a monthly fee of only £199 plus VAT, membership of 360 Legal Group provides your law firm with an array of benefits to support you continuously on your business journey. From the minute you join you will be able to tap into our business and compliance expertise in the knowledge that you are no longer making this journey alone. It is important that, in order to support you appropriately, we understand your individual needs. To do that we always start the process by undertaking a strategic review and a compliance review, helping you to recognise your strengths and challenges so that you can develop a successful path forward.
What is included?
PLUS Access to the member log in section of our website providing:
Member discussion forum Member noticeboard (including recruitment) Member specialist register Discount on marketing materials Access to discounted products and services Online access to business tools, tips and templates
Online access to compliance tools, tips and templates
On joining 360 Legal Group members initially receive the following:
From year two onwards
New member strategic review visit New member compliance review visit
Members choose one of the following options every 12 months, according to the needs of their firm:
PLUS A choice of one of the following during your first year of membership:
Marketing plan People audit Financial review Merger suitability analysis Lexcel Gap analysis Annual Legal Service Update Report PLUS Access to:
Business helpline Compliance helpline Cost reduction review Corporate structure and tax review Managing Partner forum – 1 free place 360 Legal Group Annual Conference – 2 free places at daytime sessions
360 Legal Group events and/or webinars Professional indemnity advice and support
Strategic visit and report Marketing visit and report Compliance visit and report People audit Financial review Merger suitability analysis Annual Legal Services Update Report Note: Further visits can be arranged at any time at an additional cost. We reserve the right to charge reasonable travel expenses for all visits. You will be notified of this in advance.
What does membership cost? A monthly fee of £199 plus VAT
How does my firm join? Register online at www.360legalgroup.co.uk Alternatively, telephone 01275 465540 or email Rachel@360legalgroup.co.uk
ConveyancingFOCUS: 360 Legal Group
360 LEGAL GROUP The legal profession is facing significant upheaval in the coming years with many firms having to embrace outcome-focused regulation as part of their strategy.
Running a practice as a business has not been a priority for many law firms but the firms who 360 Legal Group has worked with over the past ten years are now significant success stories. An increase in new conveyancing instructions, mainly fuelled by the government incentive ‘help to buy’ scheme has seen as much as a 30% increase in new instructions for many high street practices. Partners are having to do much of this additional work themselves as there are
al Group “Being members of 360 Leg Strategic le. has been incredibly valuab port when we advice, fresh ideas and sup erably with our need it has helped consid and kept us at rs growth over recent yea ovation.” Clive the forefront of legal inn r, Watkins Thomas, Managing Partne and Gunn Solicitors
few conveyancers on the market looking for positions – overworked partners and fee earners make mistakes! This additional capital and increased revenues has provided a temporary reprieve for a large number of firms but will not change the outcome in the longer term. We still have between 2000 and 3000 practices operating that are “zombie firms” and when we saw an increase in interest rates in 2015 many are unable to service their debts; couple this with the ever
“Breth erton s LLP 360 Le are m gal Gr embe o up for rs of than i no oth t’s gre er rea at val measu son ue an rable d offe ROI. T and m r s a he con eeting ferenc s alwa one re e s y s provid al ben e at le efit w and p hich w ast ut int e take o acti away on.” S Partn haun er, Bre Jardin therto e, ns Sol icitors
increasing age of the partners year on year and the fundamental issues have not gone away. I suggest that if we had seen interest rates at 5% and not 0.5% we would have experienced a large number of failures and insolvencies in the past few years. So how do you guarantee that your firm becomes a winner in this changing environment? Joining 360 Legal Group will be the best decision you will ever make.
“I would recommend membership of the 360 Legal Group to any law firms who are serious about developing their business in these difficult times. I have found their help invaluable.” Denis Stevenson, Managing Director, Rowlinsons Solicitors
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ConveyancingFOCUS: QualitySolicitors
PROPERTY PREDICTIONS Martyn Morgan, Conveyancing Expert at QualitySolicitors, discusses the trends he expects for the property market post election and how QualitySolicitors is helping to streamline the house buying process.
With the uncertainty of the election results now behind us, we can expect the property market to wake up from its traditional preballot lull. Whilst it’s still early days, the announcement of a Conservative majority government is likely to provide the stability and confidence needed for buyers and sellers to plan for the future. We can anticipate an increase in house sales on the back of this, as those who initially held back making decisions, start to re-enter the market. Buyers in the position to move quickly will have the upper hand – something that has already become evident for the high-end market. With threats of Labour’s Mansion Tax now out of the picture, there’s been a surge in luxury property sales, with over £100m worth of central London property sales being reported on the morning following the election results alone. We can also expect to see more first-time buyers enter the market, as they are given a much-needed boost to help get onto the property ladder. Aspiring homeowners will have access to a Help to Buy ISA helping them to raise a deposit more quickly. Likewise, buyers who can pull together a 5% deposit could apply for a five-year, interestfree government loan equivalent to 20% of a new-build property’s value under
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the Help to Buy Scheme, which has been extended until 2020. It has also been confirmed that tenants of housing association properties will be able to buy their home at discounted rates under a new ‘Right to Buy’ scheme extension, providing more affordable housing to help people get onto the ladder.
“It’s not just positives for buyers, house builders will be celebrating as a result of plans to build 200,000 new homes using brownfield land” It’s not just positives for buyers, house builders will be celebrating as a result of plans to build 200,000 new homes using brownfield land, being sold at a discounted rate for first time buyers. Landlords will
also be in a better position as threats of the rental cap and other regulations posed by the Labour party are lifted, enabling them to continue reaping the benefits that inflation brings. With increased demand for properties inevitable following the election, it’s important that firms such as mine are helping to make the conveyancing process as convenient and streamlined as possible for our customers. This is being helped hugely by the introduction of QualitySolicitors new Customer Online Platform which helps clients through each step of the house buying process. The web portal will allow clients to complete lots of the administration in the comfort of their own home taking away the need for faceto-face meetings and shaving valuable time off the entire process. After a slow start to the year, the future looks bright for the property market. I for one am excited about what the future brings and through the introduction of new technology such as the Customer Online Platform, we will be able to provide a modern, efficient and useful service for our clients too. Tel: 0800 882 4979 www.qualitysolicitors.com
A whistle-stop historical guide through the London Underground rail network The London Underground, consisting of 402km of track over 11 lines through 270 stations, was the world’s first underground railway. Dating back to 1863, the Metropolitan Line opened between Paddington and Farringdon serving 6 immediate stations. The majority of the central London network was completed in its first 50 years through cut and cover tunnels along existing thoroughfares. It wasn’t until the turn of the 20th century and the introduction of electric traction that development turned deep underground. Over the years, underground lines have merged and new lines have been erected to meet growing demand. In the late 1930s the Stanmore Branch of the Metropolitan Line was taken over by the Bakerloo Line (later to become part of the Jubilee Line). The Bakerloo Line, as it is known today, did not always go by this name and was officially known as the Baker Street and Waterloo Line until the current name was coined by the Evening News. The name stuck and was officially adopted.Rumour has it that the Bakerloo Line was originally created after a group of businessmen complained they couldn’t get to Lord’s Cricket Ground quickly enough. However, they weren’t the only ones in need. The line proved to be a huge success with more than 36,000 recorded passengers when it officially opened in 1906, despite the fact the cricket season hadn’t even started. Over the next 50 years, the focus was on extending the existing lines further into the suburbs, making London one of the best connected cities in the world. However, it wasn’t until 1968, 60 years on, that the first new line across central London opened - the Victoria Line. The Jubilee Line followed in 1979, and was further extended in 1999 to serve the London Docklands, facilitating the growth of Canary Wharf. Of the current lines, the following seven can be described as ‘deep level’: Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Waterloo & City and Bakerloo. In fact, builders working on the Bakerloo Line in the early 1900s are reported to have suffered from the bends while tunnelling under the Thames.
Today, the deepest point on the underground is over 70m deep on the Northern Line under parts of Hampstead Heath. One of the major, sometimes unexpected, challenges of excavating underground tube tunnels is the fact that London is in effect one large burial ground; with vast networks of deep graves containing 14th Century and 17th century plague victims. These large burial pits have shifted and moulded the direction of the deep level lines. Some examples of this can be seen in historic developments, as well as more recent excavations at Liverpool Street Station and east of Farringdon Station for London’s Crossrail project. Aldgate Station, on the Circle and Metropolitan Lines, is known to be built on a massive plague pit, where more than 1,000 bodies are buried over 6m deep. As well as hiding a troubled past and making London more accessible, the Tube, as it has been named since 1890, provided important services during the Second World War with many stations used as air-raid shelters and more. The Central Line, for example, was converted into a fighter aircraft factory that stretched for over two miles, with its own railway system. Its existence remained an official secret until the 1980s. Today, more than 1.2 billion journeys are made on the tube every year and this is set to rise with the London Underground Metropolitan and Northern Line extensions and large scale infrastructure projects such as Crossrail and HS2 bringing more people to the capital. Groundsure has developed a comprehensive report featuring information on the location of London Underground, DLR lines, National Rail services and the location & status of major railway projects including Crossrail and London Underground extensions. This search report is a cost effective way to understand potential risks in relation to a property. This detailed data is unlikely to be identified in a standard conveyancing search and so by purchasing this report, you can ensure appropriate due diligence for your client.
LOCATION INTELLIGENCE To access Groundsure’s market leading environmental solutions, please call 08444 159 000 or email info@groundsure.com WWW.GROUNDSURE.COM
CAREER LADDER Michaela Mocilanova, Office Manager at Searches UK, tells us about her career journey.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE SEARCH INDUSTRY? My career in the search industry began with the inception of Searches UK back in 2008. Prior to that my experience in the property industry started within an estate agency, followed by working in a Home Information Department in a local law firm. AS THE OFFICE MANAGER, WHAT DO YOU LOVE AND HATE ABOUT YOUR JOB? My main focus and the most rewarding part of my job is to provide an excellent and, whenever possible, unique customer service. I strongly believe that communication and a personal approach are the keys to customer satisfaction. WHAT IS YOUR WORKING MOTTO? The client is always priority number one. My father also passed on a valuable wisdom, which I try to follow: ‘Listen to the opinions of others with an open mind and be considerate about their point of view.” WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? When I was 15 I stacked shelves in a local supermarket. HOW DOES YOUR EXPERIENCE HELP YOU IN YOUR ROLE? I was fortunate enough to learn from highly qualified professionals from both small, family run firms to large, corporate companies. This combined experience
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has taught me to be personable and approachable, as well as extremely organised and skilled at setting up new, and following exsiting procedures. I like to set a good example for my colleagues and to this day I still use the valuable skills I gained along the way.
“The office atmosphere is great as we have a very dedicated team.” DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU? My days vary dramatically depending on workloads and daily requirements. My main responsibility is to oversee the smooth running of the office – this includes ensuring internal procedures are followed, deadlines are met and all search orders and enquiries are dealt with quickly and efficiently. In order to accommodate individual client requirements, I personally check the opening of all accounts for new clients to ensure their expectations and needs are met. This also gives me an opportunity to look into each firm more
closely to gain a better understanding about their requirements and their internal procedures. I’m also involved in providing marketing ideas, interviewing new candidates and overseeing the training process of new team members. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING FOR SEARCHES UK? The office atmosphere is great as we have a very dedicated team. Everyone is always prepared and willing to go the extra mile to help our clients and their colleagues to complete any tasks. We all work to our maximum potential, but we also know how to relax and have a good time. DO YOU THINK NETWORKING IS IMPORTANT? Networking is an extremely important element of running any successful business and having close working relationships is a great way to ensure the development of our firm. Here at Searches UK we are always keen meet our clients face to face. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Either a vet, as I love animals or a professional dancer.
If you require my help please contact me on: michaela@searchesuk.co.uk or call: 01273 229 330
ConveyancingFOCUS: Meet The Team
MEET THE TEAM Searches UK: Introducing some of our friendly and professional team of industry experts.
Vicky Grace I’m the Assistant Office Manager at Searches UK and have gained invaluable skills since joining Searches UK. Prior to this, I gained work experience in the legal industry, mostly focusing on criminal law. As Assistant Office Manager, I work very closely with clients; dealing with enquiries as well as assisting with the ordering and returns process. I enjoy building relationships with clients; I get much satisfaction each day resolving queries and working hard to meet the requirements of our clients. I love my job and the team I work with. In my spare time, I enjoy going to social events, going on long drives, shopping and taking time out to look after my health and well-being. I enjoy travelling and I would love my next venture to be a trip to Egypt, to visit the Valley of the Kings. vicky@searchesuk.co.uk | 01273 229 336
Hannah Banks I’m a Conveyancing Search Specialist at Searches UK and started working for the company after finishing a history degree at the University of Sussex. My role consists of helping with the enquiries and orders for all searches placed by clients. The favourite part of my role is supporting clients; ensuring I provide an excellent and efficient customer service. Outside of work I enjoy listening to music and seeing my favourite bands live (I am a huge Bastille and Imagine Dragons fan!) I also enjoy visiting my family when I can and spending time with my gorgeous niece and two nephews. hannah@searchesuk.co.uk | 01273 764 923
Melanie Zgardzinski I am the Personal Assistant to Managing Director, Andrew Stenning. I joined the company after completing a degree and gaining valuable skills and experience in other corporate firms. My main responsibilities involve managing events and meetings, providing general support to Andrew, updating marketing material, drafting letters as well as other tasks. My role is very varied and no two days are ever the same. It is a pleasure working for Searches UK and the team are wonderful – we are almost like one big family. I keep active and like to learn new skills whenever possible outside of work. I am learning to play piano, speak, read and write Thai, and practice yoga. I also enjoy trying new foods, going to new places and countries. melanie@searchesuk.co.uk | 01273 229 334
Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk
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ConveyancingFOCUS: Veyo
TIME FOR VEYO Veyo, the conveyancing portal, which brings together electronically all the processes, checks and documentation prepared and undertaken by solicitors and licensed conveyancers in the sale and purchase of residential properties has been rolled out across England and Wales.
Conveyancing professionals can utilise the portal set up by the Law Society and global IT solutions company, Mastek (UK), to conduct end-to-end residential conveyancing work for only £20 per transaction with an administration charge of just £50 per user per year. The functions for this fee include: • Ability to: 1. upload search results 2. transmit and receive key documents 3. exchange contracts online via the ‘Deal Room’ 4. see the progress of a chain of transactions via the ‘Chain View’ 5. communicate and interface with professionals and clients in an online environment 6. transact residential property in a secure space 7. upload HMRC information 8. directly interface with Land Registry • Secure audit trail • Inbuilt free AML searches • Free conveyancing Forms • Fully functioning CMS Veyo is a cloud based system and provides a full audit trail within a secure ‘trusted community’ of users. The system allows professionals to better communicate with each other, home movers and other key stakeholders, to satisfy obligations more
efficiently and to facilitate the conveyance of residential property through established preferred practice protocols. In doing so, it improves efficiency for conveyancers, therefore providing a significant reduction to business costs in terms of time spent on each transaction, whilst maximising client service.
“A critical element of Veyo is that it is an inclusive service for the whole market from volume conveyancers to sole practitioners” A critical element of Veyo is that it is an inclusive service for the whole market from volume conveyancers to sole practitioners. As such, there is complete transparency of pricing and users can pick and choose required elements of Veyo’s services whilst being set at a highly competitive rate. By offering a residential case management system within the pricing framework, whereby there are no set up costs and
users are charged on a pay as you go basis, all conveyancing professionals will be empowered with next-generation IT solutions. And conversely, Veyo recognises the importance for many law firms of integration with current systems that are used across all practice areas. Mastek UK has demonstrated unrivalled expertise in major system integration projects, having worked for the Department of Health, for example, to move the NHS towards a single, centrally-mandated electronic system for patients. However, regardless of the size of the conveyancers firm or IT infrastructure in place, Veyo is fundamentally providing a new system that will benefit everyone. We are bringing in a revolutionary change to the home buying process which is long overdue. For the first time, Veyo will allow all solicitors to collaborate online and to move away from traditionalist practices and antiquated means of communications, speeding up the process and improving transparency and efficiency. For more information and to sign up please view www.veyo.co.uk or contact sales@veyo. co.uk or tel: 0207 936 9178
Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk
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ConveyancingFOCUS: Flood Re
FLOOD RE: THE SMALL PRINT As the deadline to launch this new scheme draws ever nearer – currently ‘summer 2015’ - it’s a good time to take a look at some of the finer detail that may be pertinent to legal professionals.
What’s it all about? Flood Re is not a new concept – the outgoing Statement of Principles that the scheme replaces has been operating since 2000 and had essentially the same goal; to ensure that property in the UK can be insured, even in areas of high flood risk and without excessive cost to the owners. Indeed, Flood Re itself has been known to be succeeding the Statement of Principles since the Government and ABI reached outline agreement back in July 2013. How does it work? One of the over-riding principles behind the scheme is that it should allow the market to operate in a normal manner rather than limiting the consumers’ choice of insurers to a specialist pool. As such, the scheme works by encouraging insurers to compete for business even in high flood risk areas safe in the knowledge that the flood element of the policy is passed into Flood Re. The Flood Re element is organised and priced in bands, based on Council Tax Bands ranging from £210 for Band A rising to £540 for Band G (much lower than would otherwise be quoted without the scheme in place). Band H (and I in Wales) properties, previously announced to be excluded, will now be included within the scheme – the premium threshold will be £800 for a buildings policy or £1,200 for combined buildings and contents policy. Quotes will happen automatically for the 1-2% highest risk homes (an estimated 350k properties) and any claim against the policy
should be made in the normal manner (with Flood Re reimbursing the insurer behind the scenes) - in other words, the homeowner won’t necessarily even know if their property is part of the scheme or not. What properties are not included? Whilst the scheme will deal with the majority of at-risk properties, there remain some notable exceptions; homes built after 1st January 2009, commercial properties (Flood Re will release clear guidelines for borderline properties such as Bed & Breakfast in due course) and leasehold blocks (although leasehold blocks of three residential units or less may be included if the freeholder responsible for purchasing the insurance lives in the block). Who’s paying for it? The insurance industry itself has paid around £10m to set up the scheme, and it will have two sources of income once operational. Firstly, the flood element of policies that are paid into the scheme (as above) and secondly the cross-subsidy that already exists in the market under the Statement of Principles. Home owners in areas outside the scope of the scheme, then, will not see any difference as a result of the changes. What does it mean for conveyancing? The Law Society Practice Note on flooding (section 3.1) states “In all conveyancing transactions, when acting for a prospective buyer, tenant or lender, you should mention the issue of flood risk to your client and, if appropriate, make further investigations.” The introduction of Flood
Re does nothing to alter this statement of best practice, and by choosing an environmental report such as Landmark Information Group’s Envirosearch Residential, which includes a high level of flood risk screening information about all types of flooding, for every transaction solicitors and conveyancers can easily meet this requirement. That report will highlight, again in line with the Law Society’s advice, where there is a particularly high risk and further investigation is therefore warranted. Landmark also offers, at no cost, a Report Recommendation Service to all search companies, which highlights at point of ordering a search pack where a more detailed, complete flood risk assessment
“The scheme works by encouraging insurers to compete for business even in high flood risk areas safe in the knowledge that the flood element of the policy is passed into Flood Re” (which includes clearly mapped data about the likely depth of flooding events along with an insurability statement and access to insurance advice unique to the property in question) should be provided. In order to avoid having to increase client quotes mid-way through a transaction, it is increasingly becoming best practice to use such a recommendation tool (or, indeed, a dedicated quoting system as offered by a number of search companies) as part of the standard client acquisition process.
Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk
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ConveyancingFOCUS: LegalEx
Ferrari Fun for the Searches UK Team
A SHOW STOPPING EVENT On May 13th and 14th the LegalEx Exhibition, one of the largest legal conferences in the UK, took place at the ExCel, London. The national event and conference for the legal profession enticed a hundred exhibitors, nearly a hundred speakers, and thousands of visitors to attend the 2 day exhibition. Leading search provider, Searches UK, could not be missed at the event with one of the largest stands at LegalEx, which provided visitors with a host of information, giveaways, and the opportunity to win the ultimate prize of a supercar for the day. The red Ferrari 458 Italia Spider, which cracks out 562 horsepower at a staggering 9,000 rpm, drew people from all over the exhibition to the Searches UK stand; rumor also has it that The Stig was spotted loitering around. Bluechip Performance Car Hire kindly donated the vehicle, worth £250,000, for the 2 day event and will assist the lucky winners of the supercar prize draw, Jonathan Wilkey of Gwyn James Solicitors and Tim Robinson of Brachers LLP Solicitors, to take their choice of car out for a spin.
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Sales and Marketing Director at Searches UK, Lisa Summerton, said: “The Searches UK team really enjoyed exhibiting at LegalEx for the second year running. The exhibition stand received much interest from hundreds of visitors and it was a great opportunity for our team to highlight the unique and valuable benefits Searches UK has to offer conveyancing firms, including reimbursement schemes, case management systems, compliance software, quotation systems, FREE monthly CPD events, Account Plus as well as a full range of residential and commercial conveyancing search reports. “It was a real pleasure to meet and network with other leading companies and peers. The event was a great success on both
days and we very much look forward to attending next year’s event.” The speaker line-up featured a variety of legal specialists, keeping visitors up-to-date with the legal industry as well as providing useful information on how to maintain, develop and generate business. Managing Director at Searches UK, Andrew Stenning collaborated with Chairman of CoPSO, James Sherwood-Rogers, to discuss the future of property searches at the Keynote Theatre. Other key speakers included Chief Executive of 360 Legal Group, Viv Williams, Head of Checkaprofessional, Lisa Beale, and Lauren Riley and Felipe Alviar-Baquero from BBC’s television series ‘The Apprentice’.
ConveyancingFOCUS: LegalEx
“It was a real pleasure to meet and network with other leading companies and peers. The event was a great success on both days and we very much look forward to attending next year’s event”
Managing Director at Searches UK, Andrew Stenning commented: “It was a fantastic opportunity to share knowledge and predictions on the future of the conveyancing search industry. It was also extremely useful and informative to gain feedback and exchange ideas with other legal professionals on these matters. ” Once the dust had settled and the excitement of the show was over, two entrants were drawn for the prize draw, giving winners the opportunity to drive a breathtaking supercar. Vehicles ranged from a Ferrari 458 Italia Spider, to a McLaren MP4-12C, to a Lamborghini Roadster. One of the lucky winners, Jonathan Wilkey of Gwyn James Solicitors commented: “Gwyn James had a great time at the LegalEx Exhibition in London. It was a day packed with networking, informative guest speakers and a chance to get some detailed information on exhibitors’ products and services. “I’m thrilled to have won the Searches UK supercar prize and can’t wait to take the car for a spin; having the Ferrari on the stand was a real eye catcher and I’m glad they got my attention” The other lucky winner, Tim Robinson of Brachers LLP Solicitors, said: “I had a very productive day at the LegalEx Exhibition at the ExCel Centre in Docklands and I am staggered to have won the Searches UK supercar experience day prize!”
Searches UK will be seen at future events across the country; for more information and to find out about their products and services visit their website at www.searchesuk.co.uk. Alternatively, they can be emailed at info@searchesuk.co.uk or called for FREE on 0800 043 1815.
Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk
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ConveyancingFOCUS: Searches UK Website
CHECK OUT THE NEW AND STYLISH SEARCHES UK WEBSITE Searches UK, who are one of the country’s leading conveyancing Search Providers, are delighted to announce the launch of their new website. The new website is designed to provide solicitors and conveyancers with quick and easy access to product and service information available on conveyancing search reports, compliance software, quotation systems, case management systems, reimbursement schemes, FREE monthly CPD events, and much more available from Searches UK. The website is modern and user friendly, with a range of new features including regular news updates, live tweets, online leaflets, product cards and videos. Managing Director at Searches UK, Andrew Stenning, said: “We are hugely excited to launch our new website. The changes we have made will ensure an excellent and informative experience for visitors. The website offers extensive information on all the tools and services available to support a successful business and satisfied clients. “We have spent a lot of time on the new website to make sure the content and layout is most convenient, straight forward and user-friendly for visitors. “Searches UK are more than just a search provider. Not only is this reflected in the products and services we offer, but also in the design of the website. The new look is fresh and vibrant, setting us aside from other search providers.”
SEARCH4SID! The Searches UK mascot, Sid, is hidden on one of the pages of the new and improved Searches UK website. If you find him simply email sid@searchesuk.co.uk with the page that you’ve found him on, your name, firm and position to be entered into our prize draw to win a fantastic prize! Keep up-to-date with Sid on Twitter @searches4Sid to find out more about products and services from Searches UK, news, events and lots more.
Visit Searches UK’s new website at: www.searchesuk.co.uk or contact us to speak to one of our expert search assistants on, 0800 043 1815 or email: info@searchesuk.co.uk.
“We are hugely excited to launch our new website. The changes we have made will ensure an excellent and informative experience for visitors”
Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk
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PICK & MIX A mixture of great benefits to choose from when you use Searches UK, including: • Quick Quote • Account Plus • Buyer Protect • COMPLETIONmonitor • and more... Subject to Terms & Conditions
Tel: 0800 043 1815 Fax: 0845 241 1817 info@searchesuk.co.uk www.searchesuk.co.uk Unit 2, Gemini Business Centre 136-140 Old Shoreham Road, Hove BN3 7BD
Facebook: Searches UK Twitter: @SearchesUK