Searches UK Issue 5 - Conveyancing FOCUS

ConveyancingFOCUS By

ISSUE 5 | WINTER 2016

TRAINING EYE Making Compliance Easy LAWYER CHECKER Keep Safe From Fraud CHECKAPROFESSIONAL Lay Down The Law On SMEs GROUNDSURE Reporting Changes LANDMARK What To Do When The Earth Moves PLUS REGULAR FEATURES: Meet The Team, Career Ladder And Industry News

THE HOPPEN BRAND Interview with Kelly Hoppen

www.searchesuk.co.uk

Residential Property Law & Conveyancing Update

2016

Key Subjects

This conference is designed to update solicitors, licensed conveyancers and barristers on current residential property law and conveyancing issues and will provide invaluable advice on practical as well as legal issues, pertinent to today, from leading experts in their field.

SPEAKERS Professor Peter Reekie, Property Training Consultant, Penningtons Manches LLP Andrew Crawford, AAC Law Ltd

u LATEST CASES - KEY POINTS FOR PRACTICE u SHARED OWNERSHIP, SHARED EQUITY AND RIGHT TO BUY: TIPS, TRAPS AND SOLUTIONS u CO-OWNED PROPERTY - CURRENT ISSUES

Richard Snape, Consultant, Davitt Jones Bould

DATES/VENUES Tuesday 9th February - Royal Armouries, Leeds Thursday 25th February - Holiday Inn, Bristol Filton Thursday 3rd March - NEC, Birmingham Tuesday 8th March - Hilton, Watford Thursday 10th March - Hilton, Gatwick Airport Monday 14th March - The Point at Lancashire County Cricket Club, Manchester Wednesday 16th March - Kensington Town Hall, London

u THE PERILS OF BUYING A NEW BUILD PROPERTY u BUILDING REGULATIONS, PLANNING PERMISSION AND DOCUMENTATION: WHAT THE CONVEYANCER MUST KNOW u A ROUND UP OF CURRENT PRACTICAL ISSUES

6 hours CPD

for £105* * EXCLUDING LUNCH. £119 INCLUDING LUNCH. ALL COSTS EXCLUDE VAT.

CPD ACCREDITED by the SRA, Council for Licensed Conveyancers, and CILEx.

Book Online: www.proconferences.com For enquiries please call: 01923 859626

ConveyancingFOCUS CONTENTS

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Industry News Free2Convey and Training Eye make compliance easy

The Interview Kelly Hoppen on making design work

Searches UK Why Choose Us

Groundsure Reporting changes

Lawyer Checker Staying safe from fraud

Checkaprofessional Accessing SMEs

Buyer Protect Are your clients using it?

Career Ladder Desbruslais Chartered Surveyors’ Robert Desbruslais

Searches UK : Meet The Team Get to know three more members of the Searches UK team

Searches UK : Charity Activity What we’ve been up to

Social Media Tips for solicitors and conveyancers

British Airways i360 On the way up

Andrew Stenning, Managing Director, Searches UK

Lisa Summerton, Sales and Marketing Director, Searches UK

WELCOME “Welcome to the fifth edition of ConveyancingFOCUS which brings the latest news and developments in the property market.

“We’re pleased to continue our magazine into the second year of its publication to bring you interviews from industry experts such as Interior Designer Kelly Hoppen, as well as interesting and topical articles and updates from Groundsure, Landmark, Free2Convey, Lawyer Checker and Training Eye, to name but a few.

“Other articles include charity news and event updates from the Searches UK team, in addition to information about what we’ve been up to and what’s in store for the year to come.”

Andrew Stenning and Lisa Summerton, Magazine Editors and Searches UK Directors.

Our magazine is brought to you by a team of industry professionals who have a combined experience of over 50 years in the property industry to bring our readers insight about the legal, property and conveyancing sectors.

Searches UK: Events

If you would like to feature in ConveyancingFOCUS,

What we’ve been up to and events coming up

or visit www.conveyancingfocus.co.uk.

please email marketing@searchesuk.co.uk, call us on 0800 043 1815

Landmark What to do when the earth moves

Published by: Portfolio Publications www.portfoliopublications.co.uk

Printed by: Gemini Press Front cover Image: Courtesy of Searches UK, Mary Berry image courtesy of Shutterstock.

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.

Produced by: Searches UK Head Office Unit 2, 136-140 Old Shoreham Road Hove, East Sussex, BN3 7BD T: 0800 043 1815 F: 0845 241 1817 W: www.searchesuk.co.uk E: info@searchesuk.co.uk

Midlands Office The Garden House The Owl House Shottery Village Stratford Upon Avon CV37 9HA www.conveyancingfocus.co.uk

ConveyancingFOCUS: Industry News

FREE CONVEYANCING PORTAL The Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) is supporting the UK’s first free to use conveyancing portal, providing secure online access to the conveyancing process Free2Convey was developed to allow conveyancers and associated parties to view the entire conveyancing chain and the status of each conveyance in that chain.

The idea being that conveyancers may quickly have access to this information to save them chasing up or down a chain in order to obtain updates that can be readily available within Free2Convey. This will make the process of a conveyance far more efficient and allow the process to flow more smoothly. Whilst it is conveyancers that will create and update chains, they may also choose to provide enquiry only access to interested third parties such as (but not limited to) Estate Agents, Lenders and of course the Client.

Free2Convey is supported by the LSSA who are the representative Association for Legal Software Suppliers in the UK. This support and collaboration means that regardless of which Case Management

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System a law firm uses it is highly likely that their system will integrate with Free2Convey, automatically creating a

....This will make the process of a conveyance more efficient and allow the process to flow more smoothly.... chain and updating it through normal use of a Case Management platform meaning that no effort is required in order to use the system. Whilst this is the most efficient and effective case scenario not having a Case Management System is not a barrier to using Free2Convey as it may be operated entirely standalone in order

to ensure that all parties in a chain may contribute to its content.

As well as integration and efficiency, to further remove barriers of using the system Free2Convey, it is as the name suggests a free to use service with no licence fees, transactional fees or costs whatsoever.

In addition to the Conveyancing Chain View Free2Convey also includes the Virtual Deal Room, Party Verification and a Trusted e-Community with verified data all hosted in the UK, securely and on data centres mirrored in real time across multiple locations.

For more information about Free2Convey contact Sales & Marketing Director, Matthew Lancaster, on 0330 060 4950, visit www.free2convey.co.uk or email contact@free2convey.co.uk.

ConveyancingFOCUS: Industry News

TRAINING EYE Compliance training just got a whole lot easier with Training Eye’s online solutions We all know that continuous professional development (CPD) and training is important. As employees of firms in the legal sector we are required to refresh ourselves on key compliance topics such as Data Protection, Equality & Diversity, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Bribery & Corruption every year in order to continue to practice. There are also a whole host of other training courses and topics that could help us work more effectively, whether it is management skills, leadership, software training, project management, negotiation and so on.

The ‘fly in the ointment’ is that the sourcing, management and delivery of this training can be a time consuming and complex process – for already busy people.

The advent of online learning solutions as part of the training mix for businesses over the last few years has moved things forward considerably. There is significant evidence that online training can be more

time and cost effective in delivering the same learning outcomes vs face to face training. Learners can access bite sized content at a time, place and pace that most suits their individual learning experience, helped by appropriately timed refreshers and reminders. For administrators there is less manual administration required, more flexibility and easier record keeping.

Learners can access bite sized content at a time, place and pace that most suits their individual learning experience

was formed with this opportunity in mind in early 2015. The business currently offers a wide range of courses for bite sized CPD learning covering both legal compliance topics and wider business skills training.

Content is delivered through a learning management platform that can be accessed on desktop or mobile devices.

Courses can be purchased singly or as part of subscription packages which provides a lower cost per course and unlimited learner use.

If you are in the market for an easy to use online solution for your compliance training and CPD, keep an eye out for Training Eye. Website: www.training-eye.co.uk Email: enquiries@training-eye.co.uk Tel. 0333 939 0058

Training Eye, sister brand to well-known compliance solutions provider Legal Eye,

Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk

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ConveyancingFOCUS: The Interview

THE HOPPEN MONOPOLY Interior design doyenne Kelly Hoppen MBE has almost 40 years of innovative interior design behind her, specialising in the minimalist, chic, sleek and luxe

Her business mothership may sit in design, but Kelly Hoppen is a self-made brand unto herself, choosing her profession aged just 15, and freely admitting that, at the time, she knew nothing about running a business. “I worked my way into interior design through pure, unadulterated passion,” she begins. “The notion of profit and loss, forecasting and everything else was not even a consideration. Of course, I knew it was a vital part of it, but it wasn’t the stimulating factor. And I think I’d implore that of everyone looking to set out and achieve something – it has to be based on passion, not profit.”

Kelly’s first experience of the commercial realities of her craft came in the form of a Saturday job at fashion retailer Monsoon, which lasted just three weeks. Following that came an impressively brief career selling belts at Harrods – totalling just one day. She’s a self-starter of a different ilk to those who have built their knowledge on the shop floor. And perhaps that’s not surprising given that her grandfather owned South African clothing monopoly

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Rex Trueform, while her father also worked in fashion. Having magnates in the family perhaps allowed the designer a head-start, although she’s made that advantage pay.

Even as a teenager, Hoppen drew upon friends of friends who wanted to add spice to their designer homes, and from there, expanded her impeccable eye for detail through on-the-job experience.

“I think it’s all about having a belief and just running with it – that goes for interiors, and business as well,” she asserts. As any Dragon’s Den viewer can attest, the Hoppen of today, trademark blond

curls framing her face, is an unflappable businesswoman with impeccable, couture taste.

“You just need to have the confidence to fulfil your ideas and visions,” she follows, with exemplary positivity. After 39 years in the game Hoppen is a teacher, a mentor, a mother and a multi-millionaire businesswoman. “I feel I came to those sorts of conclusions through teaching others,” she says. “I could see how my students were making mistakes, and that in itself crystallised the need to be clear and exacting in what I did.”

ConveyancingFOCUS: The Interview

Her days may involve client liaisons and multiple meetings in working with individuals and companies alike, but whether styling an oligarch’s front room or fashion brand’s reception area, this is someone who thrives on clear-cut design.

“I think simplicity and style are at the epicentre of modern design. Personally, I’ve always looked for calm, balanced environments based on Eastern cultures, because if you create a great space you’re still leaving the door open for someone to put their own imprint on it – be that personal items or even their own personality.”

While Hoppen has built a considerable fortune along with a globally recognised brand, she still regards her career successes with a healthy dose of

pragmatism. “Most people are simple in the sense that they like stuff that makes them feel good, and comfortable. That can be more difficult to achieve than you might

It’s all about having a belief and just running with it – that goes for interiors, and business as well imagine, but that’s all this job entails. It’s about doing the simple things well and not complicating something that should be straightforward.”

And if Hoppen’s students want to emulate her look, the delicate dichotomy between dark and light would be a fair starting place. Calling cream “the most reassuring of colours,” for Hoppen, less is often more. “I sometimes see people going for complete redecoration when they should perhaps just choose a wall and concentrate on that – it’s easy.”

For those still seeking a design masterplan, Hoppen has a shelfful of books penned under her name to choose from, not to mention an intrepid DIY interiors following.

Give it another 40 years in business, and the Hoppen Empire will only have multiplied, even if, when it comes to interiors, such precision of philosophy will surely remain the same.

Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk

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ConveyancingFOCUS: Why Choose Us?

SEARCHES UK: WHY CHOOSE US? Searches UK will simplify and streamline your business with their range of products and services As an innovative search provider we are committed to offering our clients access to a comprehensive range of cuttingedge products and services – that’s why we explore the market to give you access to the latest trends in the industry to help improve and streamline the process of property transactions for you. Searches UK proudly offer all our clients the following wide selection of products and services:

PRODUCTS Residential & Commercial Conveyancing Searches 1. Council & Regulated Local Authority Searches 2. Council & Regulated Drainage & Water Searches 3. Environmental Searches 4. Transport Searches 5. Flood Searches 6. Chancel Searches 7. Mining Searches 8. Planning Searches 9. Utility Searches and more…

Indemnity Insurance Purchasing a property is sometimes associated with costly risks such as chancel liability, lack of building regulation and planning permissions, however our

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indemnity insurance policies can help cover and safeguard homebuyers from these issues.

CCJs etc. gives you a business advantage and added security when working with other companies.

Will & Probate Searches Searches UK work in partnership with Certainty, the National Will Register, to locate Wills which are presumed unwritten or unattainable as well as offering Financial Assets Searches.

TitleChecker® TitleChecker® offers a summarised result for property detail, ownership and use - where the report identifies matters which require attention or may be critical, details from the OC1 and CML Handbook are provided.

AML ID Checks Verify your clients quickly and easily by using the Searches UK AML Electronic ID Check. Our checks interrogate a multitude of electronic data sets for international and domestic members of public.

Lawyer Checker Lawyer Checker allows conveyancers to check the previous use of client accounts to which they are sending funds.

Company Searches These searches provide valuable information and insight about the people you are doing business with to allow you to make informed business decisions about potential partners, suppliers or clients. Revealing financial stability, understanding how long a company has been trading, their associated business histories including related companies,

Land Registry Searches Searches UK provide a variety of searches which are carried out by the Land Registry.

ADDED VALUE BENEFITS

Buyer Protect & Search Protect Reimbursement Schemes Searches UK understand the stresses associated with buying a property or moving home, and recognise the expensive capital outlay for homebuyers.

That’s why we offer all clients processing search orders through us access to our exclusive and unique Reimbursement

ConveyancingFOCUS: Why Choose Us?

As an innovative search provider we are committed to offering our clients access to a comprehensive range of cutting-edge products and services

Schemes. When added to an order, should the property transaction fall through, the homebuyer could be reimbursed up to £2,050 through Buyer Protect or £300 through Search Protect.*

Account Plus Account Plus provides law firms with membership to 360 Legal Group funded

by Searches UK. This is 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 thier business is run.* Case Management Systems These systems are designed to streamline your conveyancing process, making it easier for you and your clients to view any data relating to the property transaction.

Compliance Checks High standards of risk & compliance have become increasingly important to solicitors and conveyancers working in the property industry so we’re pleased to offer a compliance check to help you monitor your best practice.

COMPLETIONmonitor COMPLETIONmonitor is a transaction risk-management tool for solicitors and conveyancers. Their proprietary software

Searches UK firmly believe in providing insightful and informative training sessions creates intelligent, dynamic checklists for both the pre- and post-completion phases.

CPD Courses & Webinars Searches UK firmly believe in providing insightful and informative training sessions - we have teamed up with a number of industry experts, including Groundsure, Landmark, Legal Eye, DevAssist, St Giles, Lexsure, Terrafirma and others to ensure we are able to keep our clients up to date and informed.

Lender Panel Lender Panel is an online platform designed to help the industry and general public locate and recognise solicitor firms who act for their lender either nationally or locally. *Subject to Terms & Conditions

For further information about these innovative products and services please call Searches UK on 0800 043 1815 or visit their website www.searchesuk.co.uk.

Risk & Compliance Services We actively embrace the culture which is fast becoming a requirement for any strong business to adhere to and offer all our clients access to material to help improve their risk and compliance practices and processes.

Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk

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Clearer detail

Specific energy alerts

Unique alerts

Groundsure’s reports are changing We’re continually reviewing and improving our products to ensure we provide the most accurate location intelligence. As part of this commitment we’re making some enhancements to our reports.

Homebuyers current benefits Combines contaminated land, ground stability and flood risk information Unique historical land use information dating back to the 1840s Thorough flood risk assessment Unique alerts including London Underground, HS2 and Crossrail 1

What’s coming?

New energy alerts will specify the type of energy installation identified within 5km Aesthetic changes for clearer detail Unique alerts including London Underground, HS2 and Crossrail 1

Aesthetic changes Over the next few months we will be

rolling out our new look reports to provide clearer detail in line with our recent rebrand, changes will include: Details all the essential information on front page Summary of key findings within the report

LOCATION INTELLIGENCE To access Groundsure’s market leading environmental solutions, please call 08444 159 000, email info@groundsure.com or contact your authorised reseller.

WWW.GROUNDSURE.COM

ConveyancingFOCUS: Avoid fraud and stay safe

STAY SAFE Avoid fraud and stay safe with Lawyer Checker

Over £1 billion worth of housing transactions occur on a daily basis, making the conveyancing market one of the most attractive prospects for fraudsters.

During 2015, Lawyer Checker increased significantly in terms of the volume of work, as well as the number of law firms using the system – meaning more conveyancers are taking the threat of bogus firms and criminal conveyancers far more seriously and acknowledge the inherent need for such vital due diligence.

The amount of searches being conducted trebled, and the conveyancing firms utilising the service increased by 422%

.Lawyer Checker is one of the largest and most accurate conveyancing risk management systems in the market

between 2014 and 2015.

This surge could also be directly related to the prevalence of fraud, cybercrime and evolving risks within the media.

Experian estimate mortgage fraud occurs on average in 1 in every 300 transactions and a reported £268 million was lost in the UK through cybercrime within the last 12 months. In addition, the SRA Scam Alerts have surged from 154 in 2014 to over 180 in 2015 – up 74%.

Our +10,000 entity database now has over 5 years of historical data, with a footprint created each time a search is conducted for every individual account number, making it one of the largest and most accurate conveyancing risk management systems within the market.

With the use of Lawyer Checker assisting firms with Lexcel v6 accreditation d.5.14(1) and supporting the adherence to principle 10, the question is – are you doing enough to protect your client and your business?

Contact Searches UK on 0800 043 1815 for more information about how to protect your business with Lawyer Checker.

Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk

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ConveyancingFOCUS: Customer Satisfaction

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION Are law firms missing out on work from the SME business sector because of price?

It is reported that more than half of SME’s in England and Wales are handling their own legal matters, as they are concerned about the value for money offered by law firms. It has become clear however, that many SME’s have realised that without much needed advice, they are at risk of financial losses, which could affect their reputation.

Many businesses have quickly recognised the gap in this market and have added legal services to those being supplied already to SME’s, such as an add-on to business insurance. The most common areas requiring legal advice are, employment, tax, trading, premises and regulation, but it is still surprising just how many SME’s deal with problems on their own, or obtain another form of independent help, rather than seek legal advice.

Insurers and Brokers who already have the trust of their clients, have rather cleverly taken advantage and strengthened their relationships with their SME clients, by taking the time to research their clients’ business and address their growing needs, in such areas as employment agreements, or specific contracts.

It is a known fact that retaining a client is far

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easier and cost effective than obtaining a new client, but identifying the legal service requirements for SME’s has not just been about pricing. It is further evidence that valuing a client, making sure the customer service experienced is of a good quality, by taking the time to evaluate their feedback on this, can really pay off when looking to keep a client and upsell to them.

.....It is a known fact that retaining a client is far easier and cost effective than obtaining a new client Why wait for clients to come to you and just use one of your services? By getting to know more about a client, it can help identify further needs, or reveal future plans they may have, where your firm may

be able to assist. This should follow suit for all clients, no matter what services they engage at the outset, as today’s first time buyer, could be tomorrows entrepreneur.

Clients like to be valued, make them feel you honestly care and are interested in them.

Take the time to ask your clients for feedback about your services, as by doing this they will really tell you how your practice is perceived by your paying clients and as to whether you may need any tweaks to how you operate, you may be pleasantly surprised, as they may be so pleased with your services, so if they do, shout about it, don’t hide it away. Letting prospective clients know about your good reputation, will provide reassurance, build trust and offer transparency.

When paying for any service, we expect quality, regardless of the price. Find out more about what your clients think of your services.

Letting your clients compare quality, transparent services – NOT PRICES! www.Checkaprofessional.com or call us and find out more on Freephone: 0800 093 8414

ConveyancingFOCUS: Client Protection

CLIENT PROTECTION GUARANTEED Searches UK’s homebuyer protection scheme, Buyer Protect, is the market leader. Are your clients using it?

Searches UK’s exclusive Buyer Protect scheme continues to be a market leader, giving solicitors and conveyancers peace of mind that their clients are fully protected, up to the value of £2,050, should their property transaction fail to proceed. With protection products being launched left, right and centre in the property market, it is important for solicitors and conveyancers to choose their product provider wisely and not just based on price or convenience.

As the first of its kind to enter the market in 2013, Searches UK’s Buyer Protect is an established product which grows from strength to strength due to its fantastic coverage. Similar reproductions have been launched into the market by competing companies, but fail to fully satisfy solicitors, conveyancers and their clients. To this day Searches UK remain proud to boast a 100% pay out history compared to similar products from other companies which appear to mimic this scheme.

Lisa Summerton, Sales & Marketing Director at Searches UK, commented:

“Searches UK have sculpted Buyer Protect to the needs of the homebuyer to ensure their money would be returned in the event of a failed purchase. There are too many products coming into the marketplace which appear wonderful at face value but, on closer inspection of the small print, are designed to rarely pay out. Full transparency, with no small print, is imperative and we are proud to say our scheme is just that, which leads to very happy and satisfied solicitors, conveyancers and clients.”

All clients of Searches UK have this protection scheme available to them simply request that this product is added to an order, otherwise the homebuyer will not be covered.

For more information about Buyer Protect visit www.buyerprotect.co.uk, call Searches UK directly on 0800 043 1815 or email info@searchesuk.co.uk to speak to one of their dedicated team today.

...... Searches UK’s Buyer Protect is an established product which grows from strength to strength.....

Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk

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CAREER LADDER Robert Desbruslais, Director at Ask A Surveyor and Desbruslais Chartered Surveyors Ltd, tells us about his career journey

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING IN THE SURVEYOR INDUSTRY? Since the world’s first structure was built it seems.… 1986 in fact.

AS THE DIRECTOR OF YOUR COMPANY, WHAT DO YOU LOVE AND HATE ABOUT YOUR JOB? I enjoy the flexibility and decision making process. I love buildings so I enjoy doing my share of the surveying. To be honest there is very little to hate. Even dusty lofts can be interesting to a surveyor! Drains are less fun….

WHAT IS YOUR WORKING MOTTO? Delegation is the key to success.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? Before I went to college to study surveying, I worked in the claims department of London Transport. Everyone was always trying to impress the boss and jostling for a promotion.

If you had someone to make your tea then you had made it. Needless to say I left pretty sharply.

HOW DOES YOUR EXPERIENCE HELP YOU IN YOUR ROLE? As far as the nuts and bolts of surveying are concerned, experience is a must, and gives you the confidence to provide solutions and advice.

Inexperienced surveyors are often scared to do so and their reports are caveat heavy; not much use to anyone.

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As for running a business: having worked for several large corporates and small practices, I have learned from other’s mistakes and seen what really works. I have learned you must surround yourself with good people and put your trust in them.

Experience is a must, and gives you the confidence to provide solutions and advice DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU? I usually get up at 6.30am. Read the news, eat breakfast (generally scrambled egg and toast), then I’m in the home office by 8am to assess the day and complete the previous days reports.

Today I’m off to London to survey a period town house. Most days a survey is involved, but often there are marketing meetings, lunches etc. I meet with a business mentor once every two months. Tomorrow I’m meeting with an IT guy to look at improving our cloud system.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT RUNNING YOUR OWN COMPANY? The excitement of creating something that is a success, growing, and being respected within the industry.

DO YOU THINK NETWORKING IS IMPORTANT? Vital, but it’s easy to waste time in the wrong circles. It is essential that your marketing and networking is focused on what you do.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? I never really grew up, but always had my eye on architecture and music. I’m still in a few bands, available for your next event….

To get in contact with Robert you can email robert@rd-surveyors.co.uk or call 07747 630083 or 01273 495984 or visit www.rd-surveyors.co.uk

ConveyancingFOCUS: Meet The Team

MEET THE TEAM Searches UK: Introducing some of our friendly and professional team of industry experts

Lucy Annis Sales Support Administrator Lucy is a key member of the team and provides invaluable help to the Sales and Marketing Departments.

This includes setting up new clients, analysing data and reviewing rebates and figures. She is responsible for maintaining up-to-date records and datasets, uploading marketing material and delivering accurate business figures to the Management Team. Lucy enjoys shopping in London, travelling to Greece for its culture, food, beaches and sunshine and loves Mexican food, especially Tacos.

01273 764 924 lucy@searchesuk.co.uk

Kayleigh Elliot Conveyancing Search Specialist Working in the Enquiries Team is Kayleigh, who assists all clients with any queries they may have including quotes, advice, ETAs and obtaining plans and addresses for orders. Kayleigh comes from a customer care background and is very comfortable assisting our clients with their enquiries. With previous experience in the Returns and Orders Team, she understands the complete ordering process for clients and is always on hand to help. One of her favourite things to do is visit the zoo - Kayleigh secretly wants a little piglet as a pet! She enjoys doing her hair and nails, going for dinner with friends and family and relaxing in her onesie.

01273 222 785 kayleighelliot@searchesuk.co.uk

Dilly Jonas Conveyancing Search Specialist Dilly has previous management experience in a customer facing role and is responsible for ensuring that search orders entering the business are processed quickly and efficiently for our clients. She is able to assist with a variety of queries and ETAs and will investigate results in need of further assessments. With a keen interest in media, film and photography Dilly regularly takes photos wherever she goes and enjoys editing them afterwards. Dilly loves Sushi and Mexican food.

01273 222 786 dilly@searchesuk.co.uk

Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk

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ConveyancingFOCUS: Charity Initiatives

CHARITY INITIATIVES At Searches UK we like to give something back, here are just some of the things we’ve been up to recently

MacMillan Cancer Support At the beginning of October 2015 the team at Searches UK baked, bought and gobbled scrumptious cakes all in the name of a good cause and set up a MacMillan Coffee Morning to raise money for cancer research. MacMillan Cancer Support was established in 1911 and has helped thousands of people affected by cancer over the past 100 years. In 2014 alone they raised £25 million through the Coffee Mornings.

Charity Search Pack Throughout October, November and December 2015 Searches UK donated 20% of all the profits made on their Charity Search Packs to the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. In partnership with Groundsure, the money raised went towards buying life-saving cardiac monitors for the children’s A&E department at The Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital in Brighton.

Chicken Donations to Africa Searches UK pledged to donate chickens to families in Africa on behalf of all clients that processed an order during October, November and December 2015. We were delighted to donate hundreds of chickens, which have massively enhanced the lives of families who desperately need our help. These gifts have enabled families to earn an additional income as well as provide a sustainable food source for their loved ones.

Halloween Fancy Dress For Halloween 2015 the team at Searches UK went to work in fancy dress to help raise money for the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. Raising awareness of this valued charity will help bring additional donations to the cause and ultimately help improve the lives of sick and ill children and babies in Sussex.

Circus Starr Circus Starr are an independent charity who support disadvantaged and disabled children across the UK. Searches UK donated 8 tickets to the Winter Tour of a Circus Act at the Windmill Theatre in Brighton for children and their carers who otherwise would not have been able to attend.

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ConveyancingFOCUS: Social Media

JOIN THE CONVERSATION How social media can elevate your business to new heights These days if your business isn’t active on social media, then you’re missing a trick.

It’s vital you understand its importance and utilise it! What have you got to lose by ensuring your business has a strong social media presence?

It is crucial, however, that you don’t enter the realms of social media blindsided.

Every business has its individual purpose; solicitors and conveyancers will want to attract property buyers and sellers, as well as appealing to estate agents for referrals. It’s therefore vital that you create an appropriate social media marketing strategy and stick to it.

Social media is a tool which allows your business to be visible on a broader scale.

Set up on as many social media platforms as possible; Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Linkedin; the more the merrier as it will expand your reach.

Once these accounts are set up, daily posting is a must. Ultimately, you want to be viewed as an authoritative resource – ensure your posts reflect that. Popular

performing posts are commentary on news affecting your sector, or changes to industry legislation.

Social Media can drive additional traffic to a company’s website, producing more leads as a result Many firms classically don’t have faith in social media to provide more business, but if executed properly, it can drive significant additional traffic to a company’s website, producing more leads as a result.

This can be done by utilising a call to action button like an instant online valuation or providing the opportunity to download

a free informative brochure, running a Facebook advertising campaign, or writing industry-specific content.

Having active social media platforms also means that consumers are able to raise any discrepancies they may have, allowing you to demonstrate publicly how well you deal with complaints. Most can be solved calmly and quickly, and will contribute towards determining the online reputation of your business.

Ultimately, each and every business will want to grow its presence and be the best around, and one of the best ways to move this forward is via a well-thought out, engaging social media strategy.

For further advice and guidance on social media for business, please get in touch with Angels Media on: 0845 075 0152 or visit angelsmedia.co.uk.

Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk

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ConveyancingFOCUS: British Airways i360

WELCOME ABOARD See the UK South Coast from the sky at the British Airways i360

Two of the region’s biggest tourism names have joined forces as the world’s tallest moving observation tower being built on Brighton beach has become the British Airways i360.

The iconic new Brighton beach attraction, conceived and designed by Marks Barfield Architects, the creators of the London Eye, signed a ‘landmark’ five-year deal with the airline.

Lynne Embleton, British Airways’ director of strategy and managing director for Gatwick, said: “Our pilots enjoy spectacular views of the Sussex coastline as they fly in and out of Gatwick and now Brighton visitors and residents will also be able to from this fantastic new landmark.

“We fly to 67 destinations across the globe from Gatwick, and employ more than 2,500 staff in Sussex, so putting our name to the i360 and helping to promote even more tourism to the area made perfect sense.”

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ConveyancingFOCUS

Eleanor Harris, Chief Executive of British Airways i360, said: “We are delighted to

Breathtaking 360 degree views of the city, South Downs and Sussex coastline from Bexhill-on-Sea to Chichester have such a prestigious British and global brand sponsoring our ground breaking attraction. British Airways and the i360

share a similar market regionally in the South East and a comparable international reach. We also share a proud history of engineering and design excellence.”

Opening next summer, British Airways i360 viewing pod will cruise up to 450 feet high where guests on board can enjoy breathtaking 360 degree views of the stunning Regency city and surrounding South Downs and Sussex coastline from Bexhill-on-Sea to Chichester.

The 162-metre high attraction carries up to 200 visitors at a time in a circular glass pod, which is air conditioned in summer, heated in winter, has bench seating in the centre and is fully accessible for wheelchair users.

The i360 is designed by Marks Barfield Architects, the award-winning designers of the London Eye, which just celebrated its 15-year anniversary and is still the UK’s most visited paid-for attraction.

The attraction will be the world’s first

ConveyancingFOCUS: British Airways i360

Eleanor Harris, Chief Executive vertical cable car and includes a stunning new venue on Brighton beach, with a brasserie with sea views and an outside beach-side terrace serving food from “Sussex’s larder” with signature dishes from MasterChef: The Professionals Winner Steven Edwards, where visitors will be able to enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or dinner. Alternatively, tea is served in the i360’s heritage tea rooms housed in an original 1866 West Pier toll booth.

The beach building also encompasses a range of facilities for visitors including the shop; an exhibition; hospitality rooms for 10 to 800 people; and an indoor kids soft play zone.

The viewing pod will provide a 360 degree view through doubleglazed laminated curved glass, before returning to beach level Trade rates are available on standard entry tickets, VIP Fast Track, the Sky Bar Champagne Ride and meal packages by the sea. Bookings are being taken now for summer 2016 and spaces are filling up fast.

The expected dwell time is one hour (or longer with a meal package) and visitors

can combine a visit to the i360 with a stroll along the seafront; visit to Brighton Pier; shopping in the newly opened West Pier boutique shops next to the i360 or at the famous Lanes; or a tour of the splendid Regency Royal Pavilion.

Overnighters can enjoy the fantastic range of accommodation and exciting nightlife in the city after a Sky Bar Champagne Ride on the i360 to view the city lights from a dizzying height combined with dinner in the i360 brasserie or a show at the Theatre Royal or Brighton Centre.

Said Eleanor Harris, Chief Executive of the British Airways i360, “It is incredible to see the tower standing without the jacking tower. Now you get a real sense of why the i360 is the slimmest tall tower ever built in the world; it is a real marvel of engineering.

“We are really looking forward to welcoming the breathtaking i360 glass passenger pod to Brighton soon! The build is on track and

we are well on the way to opening our doors next summer.”

David Marks, architect and Chairman of British Airways i360 said: “Poma’s glazed pod is absolutely amazing. The quality of the glass is superb, and Poma’s work so skillful, you have to pinch yourself to realise it is all handmade.”

Julia Barfield, co-architect and director of British Airways i360 said: “The pod takes the breath away – sitting as it does between fields of Maize and rows of ski capsules like a transport from another world.

“The filigree fineness of the structure, the captivating playfulness of the mirror underside and the almost fluid quality of the glass will undoubtedly exceed all expectation.”

To find out more, please contact traveltrade@britishairwaysi360.com or visit www.britishairwaysi360.com

Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk

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ConveyancingFOCUS: Searches UK Events

SHOW TIME! At Searches UK we love to get out and meet our clients. Here are just some of the events we have attended – and are looking forward to attending…

360 Legal Group – Thursday 1st October 2015 Celebrating their 9th Annual Conference, 360 Legal Group hosted their event at Chesford Grange in Warwick to inform delegates about effective business strategies, successful innovation, and the hard work, team work and self-awareness needed to run a healthy and flourishing legal business. Searches UK were delighted to exhibit at this event and were able to update delegates about the benefits of using Searches UK as well as the importance of using a reliable search provider who understands the conveyancing process for solicitors and conveyancers.

Yorkshire Legal Awards Ceremony – Wednesday 22nd October 2015 This year marked the 15th anniversary of the Yorkshire Legal Awards which celebrated and rewarded excellence in the legal industry.

Searches UK attended the prestigious event at the New Dock Hall in Leeds, and were proud to sponsor The Enterprise Award. Simon B Halliwell of Construction Law Expert Ltd won the award which praised his initiative, innovation and achievements within his sphere of practice, in addition to applauding his dedication to clients and recognition from colleagues.

Professional Conferences – Thursday 27th October 2015 Searches UK exhibited at this conference held in Kensington, London which updated professionals working in the legal industry on the changes to property law, relevant conveyancing issues and gave advice from experts in the field. This informative, interesting and enjoyable event gained delegates 6 CPD points.

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ConveyancingFOCUS

ConveyancingFOCUS: Searches UK Events

SLC Conference – Wednesday 18th November 2015 The SLC Conference organised in partnership with The Bold Legal Group was held in Derby and was hosted by Paul Lewis, financial journalist, who presents Money Box on Radio 4 and reports on BBC Breakfast. Searches UK also exhibited at this event which earnt delegates 6 CPD points.

Modern Law Awards – Thursday 19th November 2015 As a firm committed to their clients, who actively work towards streamlining the conveyancing process for solicitors and conveyancers, Searches UK were delighted to be nominated for the Modern Law Award for Supporting the Industry in the 26+ Employees category. The awards ceremony took place on Thursday 19th November at The Hurlingham Club in London and was hosted by comedian Jimmy Carr. Legal firms, who specialise in a variety of practices, attended the evening to eagerly find out who the worthy winners of the awards were.

Modern Law Conference – Thursday 3rd December 2015 Delegates of the Modern Law Conference walked away better informed about the challenges that need to be recognised and tackled to prosper in the changed environment of today’s property market. The keynote speaker was Jonathan Smithers, President of the Law Society (and himself a conveyancer by trade) and delegates also heard from their regulators, lenders, insurers and experts across the industry, providing a wealth of expertise to offer real practical help and guidance. Exhibiting at this event was Searches UK who were pleased to meet so many professionals in the sector to explain their range of useful products and services on offer to solicitors and conveyancers in the property industry.

Sussex Business Awards – Thursday 3rd December 2015 The Sussex Business Awards applauded and recognised excellence in business across the county.

Searches UK attended this show stopping event and were absolutely thrilled that Searches UK Managing Director, Andrew Stenning, won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The event took place at the prestigious Grand Hotel in Brighton and was hosted by Paul Sinha from ITV’s The Chase.

2016 EVENTS Professional Conferences 2016 Professional Conferences’ Residential Property Law & Conveyancing Update conferences are designed to update solicitors, licensed conveyancers and barristers on current residential property law and conveyancing issues and will provide invaluable advice on practical as well as legal issues pertinent to today, from leading experts in their field. These conferences promise to be a most interesting, informative and enjoyable day including refreshments, documentation and 6 hours CPD. Searches UK are delighted to return to exhibit at these events in 2016 and professionals will be given the opportunity to meet their helpful and friendly team at any of the following events:

Tuesday 9th February 2016 - Leeds

Thursday 10th March 2016 - Gatwick

Thursday 25th February 2016 - Bristol

Monday 14th March 2016 - Manchester

Thursday 3rd March 2016 - Birmingham

Wednesday 16th March 2016 – London

Tuesday 8th March 2016 - Watford For further details about these events please visit www.searchesuk.co.uk or call 0800 043 1815 for more information including how to register to attend.

Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk

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not another sinkhole!

Homecheck® Professional Ground Stability Report Product Overview Residential risk report covering all mineral mining in the UK and an overall screening of a range of ground stability issues.

What’s included: Mining activity including historic data

Protect you and your clients with a Homecheck Professional® Ground Stability Report

Man-made stability hazards

Natural ground stability hazards

Insurance claims data

Extensive Data British Geological Survey (BGS) subsidence data: Providing valuable information on natural subsidence risk surrounding your client’s property, particularly useful where the homebuyer is moving to an unfamiliar area.

Comprehensive mining data: Identification of 2,270 mines dating back to the late 1700’s, unique to Homecheck Professional.

Detailed data screening: Information on a range of potential stability issues based on a total of 17 datasets ensuring peace of mind for both you and your client.

High profile media coverage of subsidence-affected properties offers a timely reminder to practitioners of the importance of Ground Stability. Fluctuating weather conditions have led to a dramatic rise in subsidence cases across the UK. Cavernous holes have opened up on leafy, suburban streets as previously unknown mines have been discovered, emphasising the fact that issues of ground stability are by no means limited to traditional mining areas. Produced in conjunction with Wardell Armstrong, one of the UK’s leading mineral and engineering consultants, the report screens for an extensive range of mineral mining and causes of ground instability.

Key features

Data backed up by leading environmental consultants

Additional services

Summary of associated risk:

The Homecheck Professional Ground Stability Report is produced in conjunction with Wardell Armstrong, one of the UK’s leading mineral and engineering consultants, the report is the first to screen for an extensive range of mineral mining and other causes of ground instability.

Did you know, we also provide in-house environmental, flood and planning CPD training and Product Briefings? Our CPD training sessions provide a clear and concise summary of the legal framework impacting conveyancers in respect of environmental and planning risk. In addition, our free expert Product Briefings explain how different products within the Homecheck Professional range can add value to the conveyancing process, protecting both you and your clients from potential risk.

A clear overall assessment of the likelihood, based on the data within the report, that the property is likely to be affected by ground stability issues.

Professionally endorsed: Data supplied by Wardell Armstrong, a leading UK mineral and engineering consultancy.

Expert referral service:

Price £20.00 exc VAT

If risks uncovered in the report require further investigation, our expert partners can offer a range of additional advice and services at minimal cost.

For further information and to order please contact us: www.landmark.co.uk Trust the experts | The detail is in our data

0844 844 9966

helpdesk@landmark.co.uk

@LandmarkUK

All information and prices correct at 13 February 2015.

Sinkholes are of course just one type of ground stability risk that can pose a real threat to homeowners. Recent sinkhole reports in the media serve as a reminder of the importance of running relevant ground stability checks as part of the conveyancing due diligence process.

The Homecheck Professional Ground Stability Report from Landmark is a UK-wide report that provides an informed view for domestic properties relating to all types of mining and other ground stability issues.

It is a valuable screening tool for potential risks and identifies any need to engage a surveyor or structural engineer on specific issues that may need further investigation.

If you would like to know more about Landmark’s Ground Hazards report, please contact our customer services team:

0844 844 9966 or by email at:

helpdesk@landmark.co.uk

Protect your clients with the Homecheck Professional® Ground Stability Report. ©2015 Landmark information Group Ltd

ConveyancingFOCUS: Landmark

WHEN THE EARTH MOVES Angela Gordon-Lennox, Product Manager (Legal) at Landmark Information Group assesses ground instability risks While sinkholes are fairly rare, in 2015 we saw a number of reports of them emerging without warning and where you may least expect them. In August 2015, a sinkhole reportedly measuring 30 foot in diameter appeared on the carriageway of the main Manchester ring-road, creating significant disruption while investigations and repairs were undertaken.

More recently, a collapse happened in a cul-de-sac of family homes in St Albans and, at the time of writing, another significant void has emerged in a residential area in Gosforth near Newcastle. Thankfully no one was harmed; likewise no properties were immediately impacted by the chasms, although it does raise the issue of the need to thoroughly check for any potential ground movement risks as part of the homebuying process.

What is a sinkhole?

Sinkholes typically occur when ground below the surface has been dissolved and this can result in sudden depressions. Often they occur in areas underlain by chalk, limestone, gypsum and salt. In addition ground collapses (crown holes) up to 10m or so deep and across can also occur over man-made voids in the ground from historical activities, such as mining. Ground movement over poorly backfilled extraction pits and quarries can also cause settlement problems.

Instability Due Diligence Sinkholes are of course just one type of ground stability risk that can pose a real threat to homeowners. They do however serve as a reminder of the importance of running relevant ground stability checks as part of the conveyancing due diligence process.

The Homecheck Professional Ground Stability Report from Landmark is a UKwide report that provides an informed view for domestic properties relating to all types of mining and other ground stability issues.

It is a valuable screening tool for potential risks and identifies any need to engage a surveyor or structural engineer on specific issues that may need further investigation.

The report identifies threats to the stability of a property’s foundations from a range of activities or threats including historical mining, redundant quarries, landfill sites,

spoil heaps and other waste disposal methods. Past activities of this nature raise the risk of landslides, debris flows, and collapses.

In fact, having carried out a Homecheck Professional Ground Stability report on Fontmell Close in St Albans where the recent collapse happened, it identified Natural or Man-Made Cavities within the 250m search area. In addition to this, on a search of Ordnance Survey’s Historical mapping further ground stability concerns

The results from a Homecheck Professional Ground Stability report will help conveyancers identify any potential risks were raised when it was identified that the area was historically used as a clay pit, with extensive clay brick and tile manufacturing also occurring in the area.

Similarly, on the address in Gosforth, historic maps show that the housing estate is in fact located on a site that was previously Coxlodge Colliery, which consisted of two main mining pits – one of which was situated on Jubilee Road, just off the Crescent where the sinkhole appeared.

The results from a Homecheck Professional

Ground Stability report ultimately help conveyancers identify any potential risks, based on the historical use of the land at the addresses. Given the potential impact on a property, ground instability risk is clearly something for which conveyancing solicitors should be checking as part of their due diligence process.

At Landmark, our residential (and commercial) reports, also available through Searches UK, contain reliable data from multiple sources in order to provide thorough risk screening and next steps to help support conveyancers, and the endclient, in assessing and managing any environmental risks before a transaction is

completed.

Contact Landmark on 0844 844 9966 or visit www.landmark.co.uk for more information.

Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk

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Whichever way you slice it...

Searches UK have a more superior range of benefits for their clients compared to any other search company.

Unit 2, Gemini Business Centre 136-140 Old Shoreham Road, Hove, BN3 7BD

0800 043 1815

info@searchesuk.co.uk

www.searchesuk.co.uk