ConveyancingFOCUS By
ISSUE 6 | SPRING 2016
FITZALAN PARTNERS Online Marketing Tips MOVEIT Comparing Experts GROUNDSURE New Oil And Gas Licences Revealed LANDMARK Conveyancing in the Digital Age PLUS REGULAR FEATURES: Meet The Team, Career Ladder And Industry News
QUESTION TIME Interview With Alan Titchmarsh
www.searchesuk.co.uk
ConveyancingFOCUS CONTENTS
4 6 8 11 12 14 15 17 18 19 20 23 PRIZE
By
Industry News Free2Convey and Fitzalan Partners
The Interview Question Time with garden expert Alan Titchmarsh
Searches UK Why Choose Us?
Groundsure New oil and gas licences revealed
Searches UK Changes and developments
Career Ladder Eddie Goldsmith, Chairman at The Conveyancing Association
Searches UK : Meet The Team Get to know three more members of the Searches UK team
MoveIT Comparing experts
Terrafirma The Local Mining Experts
Desbruslais Chartered Surveyors The power of people
Searches UK: Events What we’ve been up to and events coming up
Landmark Conveyancing in the Digital Age Vote for the best article in this edition for the chance to win a case of wine by emailing marketing@searchesuk.co.uk and quoting CFVOTE
Published by: Portfolio Publications www.portfoliopublications.co.uk
Printed by: Gemini Press Front cover Image: Courtesy of Searches UK, Alan Titchmarsh 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.
Andrew Stenning, Managing Director, Searches UK
Lisa Summerton, Sales and Marketing Director, Searches UK
WELCOME “Is it that time again?! ConveyancingFOCUS is in its prime, with a healthy readership and positive feedback about the news and information it brings to property solicitors and licensed conveyancers. “Issue 6 proves to be another informative and interesting read with updates on fracking, nifty conveyancing portals, online comparison tools, marketing tips and interactive search reports from experts such as Fitzalan Partners, Groundsure, Landmark, Terrafirma Mine Searches Ltd, MoveIT and Free2Convey. “Regular features include Meet the Team, Career Ladder and celebrity interviews – Alan Titchmarsh features in our spring edition with advice on tending the perfect flowerbeds and growing a glorious vegetable patch.” Magazine Editors: Andrew Stenning, Managing Director of Searches UK and Lisa Summerton, Sales & Marketing Director of Searches UK. We love hearing from our readers and all feedback is greatly appreciated, contact marketing@searchesuk.co.uk if you’d like to get in touch. Alternatively if you wish to advertise or contribute to the magazine, email melanie@searchesuk.co.uk or call 0800 043 1815. Don’t forget to visit www.conveyancingfocus.co.uk to view an electronic copy of this edition. 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
FREE2CONVEY OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED ON 5TH FEBRUARY Free2Convey, the UK’s first free conveyancing portal is live and available to use now, following a prestigious launch party at the Gherkin, London, to celebrate its launch after what was a successful trial period Free2Convey is backed by the main suppliers of software to law firms in the UK, meaning that the Free2Convey functionality will be available to clients of these firms embedded within existing Case Management Systems, thus avoiding any rekeying of data or logging in to separate systems in order to create or view conveyancing chains. If this functionality is not already available to you in your Case Management System contact your supplier for details of when this will be available. Conveyancers are now able to utilise Free2Convey to create and invite other parties to a chain, accept invitations to join a chain, view chains that they are part of and share documents through the Virtual Deal Room. Free2Convey uses Land Registry’s Business Gateway and collaborates with the Land Registry and The Council for Licenced Conveyancers and will integrate with Case Management System early adopters.
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For Law Firms who do not currently have a Case Management System or whose existing system are yet to release the integration, it is possible to use Free2Convey at www.free2convey.co.uk by manually creating and viewing chains directly through the site.
Conveyancers are now able to utilise Free2Convey to create and invite other parties to a chain Law Firms may register an interest in the service or contact Free2Convey through the website at www.free2convey.co.uk/ Account/SignIn or via their existing case management supplier.
Major features of Free2Convey include: • Conveyancing Chain View - a simple to use and real time overview of a conveyancing chain • Online Virtual Deal Room - any involved party can upload and view/ work on a document collaboratively • Law Firm Verification -see all details for each law firm in a chain that have been integrated via validated datasets • Integration with Lawyer Checker • Integration with Land Registry Soon to be included in Free2Convey is a Secure Email provision to assist in fraud prevention and cyber-crime. For further information about Free2Convey, please contact: Matthew Lancaster Sales and Marketing Director Free2Convey Email: contact@free2convey.co.uk
ConveyancingFOCUS: Industry News
ONLINE MARKETING TIPS FOR CONVEYANCING SOLICITORS As more and more people head online to find legal services, solicitor firms need to make sure they have a strong online presence. Cordelia from Fitzalan Partners answers some key questions and gives practical advice What is “organic search” and how can I help get there? This refers to the search results, not including adverts, which appear when you type something into a search engine like Google. As legal services are often searched for within a specific location, the most important piece of advice I can give is to check your Google Places entry. On the maps area of a search engine, your office should appear. If you haven’t already, you should “claim” your business and add some key information. The local results don’t even need a good website - you just need to be on there to be seen. How can I improve our firm’s website? Organic search looks at relevant websites, full of information which people will read and engage with. An “engagement” could be someone completing an online form, or spending a long time reading articles. A top tip would be to have a look at the structure of your website, to see how you can change the layout to best highlight your services. Is it clear what you offer on your homepage? Have someone outside of the business look at your site and give their honest feedback. What is PPC and should I be doing it? PPC, or “pay per click”, describes the adverts you see when you search online. In the legal world, as with many service professions, competition is fierce, and costs are high. You can easily pay in the region of £5 a click for a generic term such as “conveyancing quote”. There are of course ways to make the clicks cheaper, for example by bidding on longer keywords, targeting by location
and building up your Quality Score. Before you get started with PPC however, make sure you have a website that allows people to find what they are looking for - otherwise your money could be wasted.
A top tip would be to have a look at the structure of your website, to see how you can change the layout to best highlight your services Should we use lead generation websites? Many solicitors sign up for leads that come from other sites, ones that perform well in search results. This can be beneficial for both the solicitor and the client, however the solicitor still has to contact each lead in order to convert them into confirmed instructions. This can be time consuming, and can prove expensive if you don’t have the resources to contact each lead. Websites such as Homeward Legal work in a different way, taking away the burden of converting leads - so the solicitors and conveyancers only receive confirmed instructions. Can our website generate business? The situation is different for every solicitor firm, and not everyone will want their fees public, however there are ways that you can be more transparent with potential clients.
There is a tool called The Conveyancing Exchange, which allows conveyancing firms to set their own fee structures, and place a quote engine on their own website. You can even opt for a sales team to address the leads that come through, so that you only receive confirmed instructions. This type of tool can help to bring in new clients, and retain online visitors looking for a quick quote. Should we be giving out our fees online? More and more, people expect to be able to see costs upfront, and may even look at a competitor’s site if they can’t see clear costs on yours. The trend of comparison sites and quote engines means that clients expect to get the information they need - instantly. Becoming part of a new comparison site like The Solicitor Finder means that you can appear for relevant searches people make within the site, based on factors such as location, price and ratings. Where should I start? A great way to get new conveyancing instructions through websites that already perform well online would be to join the Fitzalan Partners panel. To find out how we help solicitors with their marketing, get in touch with PJ Singh on 0203 137 9599 or PJ@ fitzalanpartners.co.uk. To find out more about our new site The Solicitor Finder, contact me on cordelia@thesolicitorfinder.com. You can read reviews from conveyancing solicitors on our website: www.fitzalanpartners.co.uk
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ConveyancingFOCUS: The Interview
Gardener’s World Alan Titchmarsh has spent 50 years tending the nation’s garden and gracing our television screens in the service of making gardening more accessible. The popular green-thumbed flower bed veteran talks to us Alan Titchmarsh’s career has been devoted almost exclusively to the garden. Born and raised in Ilkley, Yorkshire, Titchmarsh left school age 15 to become an apprentice gardener for his local council, eventually getting involved in the Chelsea Flower Show in 1983. Forging a successful career in gardening journalism in the late ‘90s, Titchmarsh is well versed in soil, seeds, and everything in between. He has noticed fruit and vegetables growing at home making something of a resurgence in recent years. “I think people are much more aware of where things have come from; they like to know where things are being grown and how they are being grown so they are safe to eat,” says Titchmarsh. “If you grow your own, you have got the satisfaction of doing it, but you are also safe in the knowledge of exactly what has gone on them all and what hasn’t gone on them.”
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With organic gardens on the rise, more people are eating out of their allotments, gardens and window boxes. “Knowing what I grow, knowing it is well grown with no chemicals on, suits me just fine, and I think more and more people are coming ‘round to that idea,” says Titchmarsh.
We need to show people that, actually, 90% of gardening is just simple common sense The gardener’s long-time influence, combined with popular programmes like this year’s Kew on a Plate and the annual celebration that is the Chelsea Flower
Show, prove that British horticulture is still a thriving national passion. Like all keen gardeners, Titchmarsh has a vast and successful planting repertoire, and there are some things he’ll never stop growing. “I do like to chop and change and try new things, but I do have my old favourites as well,” he admits. If he could only grow one veg or fruit for the rest of his life? “I’ve got an asparagus bed and I do French beans and onions, a few potatoes, leeks, all kinds. But I would say asparagus is my all-time favourite. You have to wait three years before you crop an asparagus bed because it needs to mature, and I’ve been cropping this one for about five years now. It’s wonderful. Every April – marvellous!” With spring in the air, now would be the perfect time to venture into the garden and plant a little colour for later in the year. As ever, gardening is open to the masses: “Everybody can do it with a spade,
ConveyancingFOCUS: The Interview
Find the thing you most like eating then learn how to grow it
a fork, a rake and a hoe,” and Titchmarsh says we need to “banish the mystique” and stop people assuming they can’t garden. “We need to show people that they definitely can and that, actually, 90% of gardening is just simple common sense.” In fact, the best way to enjoy your garden is to grow what makes your heart – and stomach – happy. “There is no point in me saying to people ‘grow lettuce because it is easy’ or ‘grow onions because they are easy to grow from those little bulbs’ if people don’t like eating them. Find the thing you most like eating then learn how to grow it,” he smiles. With preparations for the astounding annual Chelsea Flower Show well underway, we can expect former prizewinner Titchmarsh to be busy once again. Titchmarsh has seen us through many spectacular show gardens, all of which are built from scratch in 19 days and dismantled in just five. With half a century devoted to shrubs and buds under his belt, Titchmarsh is reflective. “If I could hope anything, I would hope that I’ve made gardening a little bit easier to understand, perhaps even made it more exciting,” says the gardener. “I’d like to think that has happened, but that’s for others to say rather than me. I just keep sharing my passion in an enthusiastic way, which I hope is infectious and easy to understand.” Indeed, the Titchmarsh name remains a British institution. “I love this country,” he says. “I’m devoted to Britain and its landscape, and keen to get more people out there appreciating what we’ve got.”
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 At Searches UK our clients are at the heart of our business, so with their best interests at the core of how we function we’re confident that solicitors and licensed conveyancers will receive an exceptional service from our expert and dedicated team. Tailoring the service to each client is extremely important as we understand that one cut doesn’t fit all; each firm functions slightly differently and we’re happy to accommodate your needs. Packs and bundles can be constructed before an order is placed with us and added to our intuitive online ordering platform to streamline the process for you. Our core products include local authority, drainage & water, environmental, flood, energy & infrastructure, planning, subsidence and mining searches; details about each report can be viewed on our website at www.searchesuk.co.uk, along with product cards and sample searches for you to be able to preview reports before they are ordered. Both residential and commercial options are available.
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It is also with pride that we constantly review and research the market to bring the latest products and added value services to our clients. Case management systems, quoting platforms, risk & compliance information and invaluable reimbursement schemes are also part of our offering; full details about our products can be discussed with our team by calling 0800 043 1815.
We’re confident that solicitors and licensed conveyancers will receive an exceptional service We work closely with specialists across the conveyancing sector to bring an informed and relevant service to our
clients; we have trusting relationships with Groundsure, Landmark, DevAssist, Future Climate Info, Terrafirma Mine Searches, Lawyer Checker and Legal Eye amongst others. These experts help enhance the service you receive so any questions, help, training or advice you require can be arranged. Alongside our established network and informative products, our ordering processes remain streamlined and easy for users. With a number of routes to choose from, solicitors and conveyancers can submit their orders over the phone, by email, fax or post as well as via our online ordering platform. The advanced system reduces risk on case files by recommending searches relevant to the property based on 15 potential hazards. Users can favourite searches which are ordered regularly and mapping the boundary for a property or piece of land is easy. Individual login details are provided and you can control who has access to your cases, for example secretaries and PAs.
ConveyancingFOCUS: Why Choose Us?
It is also with pride that we constantly review and research the market to bring the latest products and added value services to our clients A FEW OF OUR CORE SEARCHES Local Authority Searches Information from the local authority’s records is provided about planning, building controls and regulations, highways, charges in relation to planning, fenland way maintenance, land compensation and others, and whether the property is a listed building or in a conservation area. Both regulated and council options are available. Drainage & Water Searches These searches provide information about the public water supply, wastewater services, public sewer, wastewater treatment works and the way the property is charged for water. Official and personal options are available. Environmental Searches Reviewing the land around a property can help determine if the homebuyer should proceed with their purchase; data about contaminated land, river, coastal and surface water flooding, radon and ground subsidence is provided in these reports. Energy & Infrastructure Searches These reports are able to clearly show whether any energy and infrastructure projects exist currently, are planned for or are licensed on or in the proximity to
the site being investigated, giving your clients full peace of mind. Flood Searches Flooding is becoming increasingly problematic for homeowners, so it is more important than ever for homebuyers to fully investigate these matters before going ahead with their purchase. These reports provide data on surface water, ground water and other flood risks, as well as useful information about whether the property faces any issues with regards to insurance. Subsidence Searches Sink holes and subsidence are caused by the collapse or lowering of the ground which can be the result of a number of factors; these include shrink-swells and man-made disturbances. These reports reveal any risk relating to these issues. Mining Searches Terrafirma are the UK’s only Local Mining Experts, able to accurately and comprehensively identify and assess the risk to your client’s property or land from past, present and planned mining and mineral extraction. Their revolutionary three-tier search system is the first to screen a property for the risk from over 35 minerals extracted across England and Wales; including fracking, coal, metalliferous, chalk, limestone and
clay, as well as many more. Other mining reports are also available, for example coal and brine, metal and bath stone. Chancel Searches Chancel Check reports ensure homebuyers are fully aware of any chancel repair liabilities as it is not always obvious that the property is liable for these costs at the outset. These checks will help determine whether the property is within a parish which could lead to potential repair fees. Planning Searches Knowledge and understanding of local planning information is fundamental when purchasing a property and another reason why planning reports are necessary in property transactions. New development and construction projects in the immediate and wider vicinity of a property can, at one extreme, result in annoyance and frustration for a new property owner and ultimately, at the other extreme, have a material consequence on the value of the property being purchased. 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.
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New oil & gas licences revealed methane vent gas). These are in addition to the areas currently licensed under previous rounds.
Image 1 Licensed Blocks
Image 2 Protected Areas
Hydraulic fracturing or fracking as it is commonly known, is a technique used for the extraction of oil and gas from shale rock. The technique has been used extensively over the last 60 years and it is estimated that 2.5 million wells have been ‘fracked’ worldwide. Fracking has been standard practice in the US for conventional oil and gas throughout the last 60 years and has been used in some form in the UK’s North Sea oil and gas fields since the 1970s, with around 200 wells using the technique.
Although these areas have been offered to companies, these do not give the operators full consent to drill or explore; planning permission and the necessary environmental permits will still need to be obtained from the relevant authorities. However, the Infrastructure Act 2015 has simplified the process of extracting oil and gas by changing the Trespass Law, as an operator is no longer required to obtain the landowner’s permission if drilling takes place 300m below the surface.
In July 2014 the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) – a new executive agency sponsored by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) - announced the opening of the 14th round of onshore licensing. During this process, hydrocarbon operators are able to bid for areas to explore and extract oil and gas reserves. These areas are known as Offered Blocks. The bidding process closed in October 2014 and the OGA made their first announcements of the operators in August 2015, with the second tranche of successful applicants announced in December 2015.
Additionally, drilling won’t be allowed in National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, groundwater protection zones (Source Protection Zone 1) and World Heritage Sites (image 2) unless it takes place below 1200 metres. So in effect, an operator can site their drilling equipment just outside one of these areas, drill to below 1200m, and then drill under and into these sensitive areas.
In total 177 blocks were announced. 159 of these had to undergo an additional assessment under the Habitat and Species Regulations 2010 due to their sensitive localities. 83% of these licences relate to unconventional oil and gas (shale, coalbed methane and mine
What does this mean for communities? The process of fracking requires the use of large volumes of water. It is estimated that one well will use between 2 and 8 million gallons of water depending on depth of the deposits and the underlying geology at the site - that’s the equivalent of 4 to 15 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Due to the large volumes required this will increase road traffic as tankers will be needed to transport clean water to the site and remove waste water.
Groundsure have estimated that between approximately 1,200 and 4,850 tanker journeys could be required per well. In the US fracking has also been linked to groundwater contamination, methane migration and earthquakes. As no wells have been fully ‘fracked’ in the UK the full risks are as yet unknown, however the regulations governing fracking in the UK are somewhat different to the US and in many ways much more stringent. Additionally, the practice of wastewater reinjection, which has been implicated as the primary cause of earth tremors relating to fracking in the US, is currently not permitted in the UK. The oil and gas industry has committed to a benefits package for communities that host shale gas and oil development. This includes: • £100,000 in community benefits per well-site where fracking takes place (at the exploration stage) • 1% of revenues at production will be paid out to communities • Operators will publish evidence each year of how they have met these commitments. Follow us @Groundsure @Catshiers Groundsure Written by Catherine Shiers, Technical Communications Manager, Groundsure
For further information on fracking and other types of energy exploration please contact Groundsure on 08444 159 000.
ConveyancingFOCUS: A New Future
SEARCHES UK: A NEW FUTURE Changes and developments at Searches UK Big changes have taken place for Searches UK in recent months, including: • Being acquired by Fitzalan Partners, a NAHL Group PLC company; • Andrew Stenning, Searches UK Managing Director, being selected to judge the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards; • The previous year also ended on a high note with Andrew being awarded Entrepreneur of the Year at The Sussex Business Awards. So… a lot has happened, but what does this mean for you? Searches UK will continue to provide an excellent service, which is renowned in the market, with the existing team who are highly experienced, friendly and helpful. Our enhanced expertise means that we can better serve our clients and will have more resources available to us to pursue new product streams, systems and services for property solicitors and licensed conveyancers.
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The accolades we’ve achieved strengthen the trust and picture we present about our company and service, which is also echoed by the firms and businesses we serve. Here are just a few examples of the feedback we received about our service.
“Always friendly and helpful and never fail to ‘go the extra mile’. Both myself and my colleagues are very happy with the service which is very personal in a sector which is not renowned for this quality “ Client in Kent “Excellent turnaround times on search results, and pleasant dealing with knowledgeable staff who try to deliver excellent customer service regardless of how small the query. Very impressed “ Client in Surrey
“Searches UK offer an efficient, competitive and personal service that cannot be beaten. The team are on hand to assist and are always happy to help - that said their website is so functional and ergonomic that it isn’t too often that the team are contacted! “ Client in Chester “We have used Searches UK as our prime provider of residential searches for a couple of years now. We are extremely happy with the service they provide and their personal touch. Their Operations Manager, Michaela Mocilanova, always assures us that any request is not too much trouble” Client in Sussex
ConveyancingFOCUS: A New Future
Searches UK will continue to provide an excellent service, which is renowned in the market
Modern Law Awards
The Acquisition
With a wealth of experience under his belt, Andrew Stenning was handpicked to help judge the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards. The Modern Law Conveyancing Awards seek to identify and highlight the sparkling talent, innovation and quality which can be found in abundance in the conveyancing arena. The winners of each award are carefully determined by an expert panel of judges who have a wealth of experience in this sector. Andrew’s fellow judges include, among others, Jonathan Smithers, President of the Law Society & Partner at Cooper Burnett Solicitors; Sheila Kumar, Chief Executive of the Council for Licenced Conveyancers; Simon Law, Chairman of the Society of Licenced Conveyancers & Head of Legal Practice at DC Law; and Rob Hailstone, Founder of the Bold Legal Group.
Who are Fitzalan Partners? Fitzalan Partners are online marketing specialists who focus on the conveyancing and property sector through five internet brands: Fridaysmove, In-Deed, Homeward Legal, Best Value Conveyancing and Surveyor Local. Fitzalan Partners recently launched The Solicitor Finder, a brand new comparison site for legal services, specialising in conveyancing. Visit www.fitzalanpartners.co.uk for more information and to find out more about featuring on The Solicitor Finder.
The ceremony will take place on Thursday 14th July at the Rum Warehouse in Liverpool attracting top firms from across the country to celebrate the triumphs and successes of their peers. Nominations can be submitted to www.mlconveyancingawards.co.uk before Friday 22nd April 2016.
Who are NAHL Group PLC? NAHL Group PLC are the parent company of Fitzalan Partners, as well as National Accident Helpline, a leading UK consumer marketing business focused on the personal injury market and Bush & Company Rehabilitation, operating in the catastrophic injuries market. They are listed on AIM. Visit www.nahlgroupplc.co.uk for further details.
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CAREER LADDER Eddie Goldsmith, Chairman at The Conveyancing Association, tells us about his career journey
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WORKING IN THE PROPERTY INDUSTRY? I’ve been around the block so many times – I’ve met myself coming back! It’s over 35 years now and I love every minute! I have always been a conveyancer. It’s my life! AS CHAIRMAN, WHAT DO YOU LOVE AND HATE ABOUT YOUR ROLE? The absolute best thing is meeting colleagues in other firms and other stakeholders. Whenever we have a meeting, I get to talk to my colleagues in the industry and we always find something in common to discuss. At the moment the big topic is the increasing incidence of cyber fraud. The conveyancing industry is seen as a soft target for criminals as we are dealing with substantial funds which go in and out of our client accounts. What we have to do is to make it as difficult as possible for these fraudsters and they will hopefully move on to somewhere else. I hate having to read and approve all the minutes of the meetings. WHAT IS YOUR WORKING MOTO? Be professional at all times – whatever the temptations! If you can go to bed at night and sleep the sleep of the righteous then you are doing fine.
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WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? A porter in a mortuary – a dead end job…
but inevitably it is more time consuming than it has been in the past.
HOW DOES YOUR EXPERIENCE HELP YOU IN YOUR ROLE? Having survived 3 recessions so far, its experience gained from making mistakes and making them again that’s helped with my success. The real issue is to try and recognise them when they come around again.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU’VE LEARNT IN YOUR WORKING CAREER? Deal with something there and then as it doesn’t go away – ever!
At the moment The Conveyancing Association is going through a period of rapid growth and change DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU? No day is typical but a combination of networking and overseeing what other people have done is usually how my day pans out. At the moment The Conveyancing Association is going through a period of rapid growth and change. This is stimulating
DO YOU THINK NETWORKING IS IMPORTANT? Absolutely – cheesy as it is but people do buy from people. We do not have sponsors in The Conveyancing Association - we have Affiliate Members who we welcome to all meetings and we see them as partners with whom we can work with for the benefit of all of us. Getting to know their products and each individual is the best way to build long term relationships. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Rick Nelson’s Deep Underwater Assistant (look it up!)
Visit www.conveyancingassociation.org. uk for more information about their work.
ConveyancingFOCUS: Meet The Team
MEET THE TEAM Searches UK: Introducing more of our friendly and professional team of industry experts
Natalie Lovell Conveyancing Search Specialist Natalie is part of the enquiries team helping clients with any questions they may have and providing quotes when necessary and she also liaises with councils and search agents to determine ETAs for searches. Natalie graduated in 2015 with a degree in International Relations after taking a gap year to travel the world. • • •
Natalie has hiked across the Great Wall of China Her favourite animals are Pandas and Tigers At least once a year, Natalie is compelled to take a dip in the English Channel
01273 229 338 nataliel@searchesuk.co.uk
Cara Loreilhe Conveyancing Search Specialist With previous experience in customer support roles Cara works in the Returns Team to deliver search reports to clients quickly and efficiently. She is happy to assist clients with search queries and quality checks search reports being issued to clients. Cara has a Law Degree and a sharp eye for detail after gaining experience marking examination papers for AQA. • • •
Cara loves Japan’s unique culture and dreams of one day visiting Tokyo Being unusually flexible means she is a limbo master She has a passion for philosophy and hopes to one day study it at a Masters level
01273 229 339 cara@searchesuk.co.uk
Mia Graville Office Assistant Working towards a Business Administration qualification is apprentice Mia, who provides support to the Sales & Marketing Departments. Her duties include delivering business figures to the Management Team, maintaining records and updating marketing materials. Mia’s dream is to live in New York and she would love to spend all her time researching and shopping for lavish holidays away. • • •
Mia plans to travel the world She loves horse riding and has a horse named Pepper that is grey with white spots Mia hopes to one day run her own business
01273 764 921 mia@searchesuk.co.uk
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ConveyancingFOCUS: MoveIT
MOVEIT: CONNECTING THE BEST MoveIT is the newest product launched within the property market, with the aim of connecting home-movers with the best in services Launched in December 2015, The MoveIT Network is made-up of the UK’s finest estate agents and the UK’s finest conveyancing experts, allowing home-movers to find the ideal service for them. Hailed as “the game changer in the property industry”, MoveIT is an online price comparison tool built and developed by the experts at The Property Software Group, and seamlessly entwined within their software. Taking away the excess work of lead generation, MoveIT automates the whole process, helping conveyancers generate more leads with ease. Available to all suppliers for free, those joining the supplier panel will agree their lead referral fee with the agent, input their details and prices, and simply sit-back and enjoy a boost in referrals. With access to over 9,000 agencies across the UK via The Property Software Group, MoveIT provides the unique connection between the home-mover, agent and conveyancer, connecting the dots and providing the complete home-move from start to finish. How Does MoveIT Work? Integrated within the Property Software Group, the MoveIT experience is offered to home-movers at the earliest opportunity. Pulling-up a list of quotes based upon details of the house-move, the vendor and/
or buyer will receive an email with costs for every conveyancer within an agent’s panel. They will then have the opportunity to select their chosen conveyancer, which will automatically send an email to the chosen solicitor listing the details, and providing the option as to whether to accept the lead, or reject (if acting for the other-side of the sale).
Taking away the excess work of lead generation, MoveIT automates the whole process, helping conveyancers generate more leads with ease MoveIT will ensure that the agent, homemover and conveyancer is up-to-date with each transition of the house-move from the start, through to completion when it will automatically generate an invoice based upon the number of completed transactions in the past month.
How could MoveIT benefit conveyancers? Making the most of the unrivalled relationship between agents and conveyancers, MoveIT takes away the manual repetition, ensuring that each home-move is seamless from start to finish. Joining the MoveIT Network as part of the panel, solicitors will enjoy: •
A boost in unrivalled leads
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Access to more home-movers than ever before
•
Being part of the MoveIT Network, joining hundreds of industry experts
•
Automated lead generation, MoveIT will take away the need for administration, as it takes care of the process from beginning to end
Join the MoveIT Network Becoming part of the fastest growing network in the property industry will take a matter of minutes. Simply email info@moveitnetwork.com today, and you will soon be part of MoveIT, with access to the UK’s home-movers, generating even more leads. For more information, and to discover who is already part for the MoveIT Network, visit www.moveitnetwork.com.
Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk
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ConveyancingFOCUS: Terrafirma
www.minesearches.co.uk James Ford ©
The Local Mining Experts
THE LOCAL MINING EXPERTS
Terrafirma is a geological consultancy, specialising in the innovation and provision of mining risk assessment and mining searches. We have mapped the extraction of over 35 minerals across the UK and use our in-house Geographical Accurately locate,new assess, interpret, investigate and mitigate historical mineral Information System and innovative online search tool, ‘TerraSearch’, to accurately locate, assess, workings interpret, investigate and mitigate historical mineral workings. Our services are becoming essential in the conveyance sector and Terrafirma is a geological consultancy, developments. Recently, public and or overlooked mining risk assessment. now through Searches UK and our innovative new search platform, it is simpler, faster and more cost-effective than ever specialising in the innovation and provision industry understanding of the UK’s mining The post-war housing boom, and even to ensure your clients property is kept firmly on the ground.
of mining risk assessment and mining history has become almost non-existent, modern housing development, has Mineral extraction has shaped the landscape of every corner of every county in the UK, with over 35 mineral resources mined searches. They have mapped the extraction with an estimated 10% aware of other largely relied on the use of outdated and ofand quarried. Through our nation’s history, mineral extraction has influenced and driven change and innovation, from the Roman over 35 minerals across the UK and use mining activity aside from coal extraction incomplete mining records that do not Era in-house to the Industrial Revolution, however, all evidence Cornish has been growing residential and industrial their Geographical Information andalmost the world-famous tinlost andbeneath accurately reflect the risk to surface from developments. Recently, public and industry understanding of the UK’s mining history has become almost non-existent, with an System and innovative new online search copper mines. the potential for mining-related instability. estimated 10% aware of other mining activity aside from coal extraction and the world-famous Cornish tin and copper mines. tool, ‘TerraSearch’, to accurately locate, This has led to the potential for subsidence assess, interpret, investigate and mitigate and collapse, confirmed by a review of This fragmented understanding of one of the UK’s greatest industrial legacies has left its mark on the Built Environment, often in historical mineral workings. recent boom, statistics, by Terrafirma, the shape of misinterpreted or overlooked mining risk assessment. The post-war housing and collected even modern housing Their services are becoming essential showing that mining-related ‘sinkholes’ development, has largely relied on the use of outdated and incomplete mining records that do not accurately reflect the risk to insurface from the potential for mining-related instability. This has led to the potential for subsidence and collapse, confirmed by a the conveyancing sector and have been increasing 250% a year since now through Searches UK collected and their 2008, coinciding the increase ina severe review of recent statistics, by Terrafirma, showing that mining-related ‘sinkholes’ have been with increasing 250% year innovative new search platform, it is rainfall events and occurring in areas since 2008, coinciding with the increase in severe rainfall events and occurring in areas of the country that had not been widely simpler, faster and more cost-effective of the country that had not been widely associated with mining-related instability problems, such as; St Albans, Norwich, Newcastle and Manchester. than ever to ensure your clients property associated with mining-related instability Contact Searches UK today on: 0800 043 1815 or at: info@searchesuk.co.uk to receive an exclusive offer or to book tailored inis kept firmly on the ground. problems, such as; St Albans, Norwich, house training/CPD. To learn more about Terrafirma, our ‘All-in-One’ mining searches and instant online risk assessment, visit our Mineral extraction has shaped the Newcastle and Manchester. website: www.minesearches.co.uk or call: 01934 806515. landscape of every corner of every county in the UK, with over 35 mineral resources To learn more about Terrafirma, their mined and quarried. Through our nation’s ‘All-in-One’ mining searches and instant history, mineral extraction has influenced online risk assessment, contact Searches and driven change and innovation, from This fragmented understanding of one of UK today on: 0800 043 1815 or at: info@ the Roman Era to the Industrial Revolution, the UK’s greatest industrial legacies has searchesuk.co.uk to receive an exclusive however, almost all evidence has been lost left its mark on the Built Environment, offer or to book All Content © 2016 Terrafirma Mine Searches Ltd tailored in-house CPD beneath growing residential and industrial often in the shape of misinterpreted training.
Now through
Searches UK and our
innovative new search platform, it is simpler, faster and more costeffective than ever
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ConveyancingFOCUS
ConveyancingFOCUS: Desbruslais Chartered Surveyors
THE POWER PEOPLE Empathy and communication is the key Think back to the day you bought your first home. If indeed you are lucky enough to own a home. Remember the stress and the huge impact that decision had on your life? Now breathe. Whether you are an estate agent, buying agent, financial advisor, conveyancer or surveyor, it is easy to forget about the stress our client is experiencing. Take the vendor who is selling up after a lifetime of family experiences. Having reached a difficult but inevitable decision to move on they usually just want to get on with it. On the flip side, the purchaser can be fearful of losing the house of their dreams. The stress of a prolonged and torturous sales process in these circumstances can be sapping. It is vital we sympathise with these concerns. Gone are the days when the market was awash with buyers and sellers, there was no internet, and professionals that provided a bad service somehow ‘got away with it’. Thankfully, this is no longer possible. Bad service is punished, good service and empathetic behaviour is rewarded by repeat business, good online reviews and increased market share. This is of course the way it should always have been. Today, however, there is no choice; people power prevails! So how can we prove we really do understand and care?
In my experience it is all down to one thing - communication. Constant communication by all parties reduces the biggest fear; that of losing the sale. Yet often, the surveyors and solicitors do not even exchange email addresses. Most estate agents have learnt the importance of communication, after all their fee is dependent on the sale process. Other
Bad service is punished, good service and empathetic behaviour is rewarded by repeat business good online reviews and increased market share professionals such as the surveyors and solicitors have the luxury of a guaranteed fee. We do not however, have the luxury of repeat business. If we do not communicate or provide a service that is second to none there is no guarantee the client will return, especially if your competitors have the empathetic gene. Indeed, in a world of
openness and communication, poor service will pretty much guarantee failure. The communication route is a simple one; tell the party that needs to know as soon as possible. Conveyancers and surveyors should cross communicate. If a surveyor notes a potentially vital legal pitfall on site, he should email the lawyer so he can act immediately. Leaving it until the report is delivered causes yet another needless delay. Even where there is no real complication, the entire chain will remain on tenterhooks until the point of exchange, creating unnecessary chasing, phone calls and other strains on the entire process. The greater the communication to the client and between all parties involved the smoother for everyone and the less worry for that first time buyer, and the couple leaving their home of family memories. So next time you talk to a potential client, just think back to the last time you moved. How much better would you have felt if you knew your solicitor or surveyor truly empathised with you? I think we all know the answer to that, don’t we. For more information contact Robert Desbruslais, Director of Desbruslais Chartered Surveyors on 01273 495984 or visit: www.rd-surveyors.co.uk
Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk
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ConveyancingFOCUS: Searches UK Events
Searches UK have met with hundreds of solicitors and conveyancers to discuss the edge Searches UK has as a leading conveyancing search provider
EVENTS AND CONFERENCES 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…
Back in time Brighton & Hove Estate Agents Annual Charity Dinner This event was held at The Grand Hotel in Brighton, attracting top estate agents from across Sussex. Over 500 people attended the event and Searches UK were delighted to sponsor part of the evening’s entertainment, a Photobooth, which helped raise money for The Clocktower Sanctuary who help and support young homeless people in Brighton & Hove.
Professional Conferences Throughout February and March 2016 Searches UK have been busy exhibiting at seminars across the country with Professional Conferences. Visiting Leeds, Bristol, Birmingham, Watford, Gatwick, Manchester and London at their Residential Property Law Update. Searches UK have met with hundreds of solicitors and conveyancers to discuss the edge Searches UK has as a leading conveyancing search provider.
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ConveyancingFOCUS
ConveyancingFOCUS: Searches UK Events
Future events Sussex Law Society Annual Charity Ball Drawing esteemed solicitor firms from across the county, the Sussex Law Society Ball will be held on Friday 15th April at the Jury’s Inn hotel in Brighton to help raise money for the Martlets Charity. With over 500 attendees, Searches UK are looking forward to once again sponsoring the Photobooth to enhance the evening’s entertainment.
Legalex This informative two day event will be held at the London ExCel on Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th May; as the largest national event of its kind in the country, it is proud to focus on the legal profession to help experts in the field grow and develop their businesses. Searches UK will be exhibiting at the event with ‘The Art of Conveyancing Searches’ concept at the centre of our stand. Visit www.legalex.co.uk to register for a free ticket and don’t forget to join us on stand L400 on the day.
Professional Conferences Professional Conferences’ Commercial Property Law & Conveyancing Update conferences are designed to update solicitors, licensed conveyancers and barristers on current commercial 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 will be found at events in Watford, Gatwick & London over the next 3 months.
Brought to you by Searches UK | www.searchesuk.co.uk
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ALL YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL SEARCHES UNDER ONE ROOF
It’s the all-in-one environmental report that’s simple, helpful and accessible. And because it’s an all-in-one report, you can confidently offer a fixed-fee search pack to every client, every time.
SULTS O NL RE W
E• IN
We all know homebuyers demand a quick turnaround, excellent service and great value for money. At Landmark, following extensive collaboration with solicitors and conveyancers, we’ve developed RiskView Residential to deal with Contaminated Land, Flood, Ground Hazards and Energy & Infrastructure in a single, easy-to-read report.
•V IE
CONTAMINATED LAND | FLOOD | GROUND HAZARDS | ENERGY & INFRASTRUCTURE
If you would like to know more about Landmark’s RiskView Residential report, please contact our customer services team:
0844 844 9966 helpdesk@landmark.co.uk
IDE ID E NT NTII FI E D C L I C K T O V IE IEW W YO R M A P
It’s built for the digital age too – click on the links from the report to a unique interactive map where you can easily navigate through to review the results in more detail. ©2015 Landmark information Group Ltd
ConveyancingFOCUS: Landmark
SIMPLIFYING SEARCHES Angela Gordon-Lennox, Senior Product Manager, of Landmark Information Group on Conveyancing in the Digital Age In today’s ‘always on’ world where people’s expectations of customer service are increasingly set by their experiences with swift online transactions, such as buying an item through the likes of Amazon with just a few ‘clicks’, the expectations of homebuyers have similarly become more demanding. Not only is there an emphasis on speed of completion, but with the Internet, homebuyers are far more savvy about the amount of electronic data that is available in order to give them a more rounded view of potential risks relating to a property, its vicinity and the surrounding neighbourhood. As such it is important that conveyancing professionals are able to meet the evolving needs of clients in order to compete. Today, homebuyers are looking for a prompt, modernised service, offering choice, whilst also ticking the ever-important ‘value for money’ box. Here at Landmark, we have been working with our legal clients to understand what improvements could be made to deliver increased efficiencies and ultimately help the conveyancing process evolve to meet clients’ growing service expectations. If we take a look back at how search data is currently ordered, it is fair to say the process hasn’t dramatically changed in recent years. Mandatory searches are automatically obtained and then it is up to the conveyancing professional to decide which ‘non-routine’ searches are needed, before ordering each report for individual review and analysis. The range of searches is extensive: from a conveyancer’s point of view, it is vital to ensure compliance with each and every transaction. This is done by providing the client with all pertinent information on the property and any environmental factors that could have the potential to negatively impact the property, in order to avoid any negligence claim in the future. The wide choice of available reports can, however, make this a complex process, and as it is the responsibility of legal professionals to undertake the most appropriate investigations to ensure clients aren’t subject to a loss further down the line, it is vital to get this right. Things can get trickier still for firms where multiple partners/fee earners/secretaries may be inadvertently making different choices.
So, what can be improved? To simplify and modernise this process, here at Landmark, we have launched an ‘all in one’ report called RiskView Residential. It is one of the first reports of its kind to deliver total environmental due diligence by providing Flood, Ground Hazards/Stability, Energy & Infrastructure and Contaminated Land data in one single order. Via RiskView Residential, not only is the most pertinent data available in a lightweight PDF report format but, for the first time, the full range of data is fully accessible via an interactive, map-based web portal, which visually ‘brings to life’ the findings of the searches through an easy-to-navigate interface.
It is important that conveyancing professionals are able to meet the evolving needs of clients in order to compete From the report, users can instantly click through to an interactive map, providing easy navigation through the data to analyse the results. It provides conveyancers with the tools needed to interpret data quickly and accurately, and for the first time, means the information can also be directly shared with homebuyers via a Tablet PC or a desktop. The advantages are numerous: firstly it delivers a total due-diligence solution, which means via one order, clients can feel
confident that as much intelligence and insight has been gathered and analysed on the property as possible – delivering peace of mind to clients, and demonstrating compliance and best practice from the conveyancer’s perspective. It also saves time: now conveyancers don’t have to select and order individual reports, which then need to be analysed separately on receipt. It is far less time consuming all round. The single report provides environmental risk data in one order. It contains a comprehensive risk assessment analysis for all areas with a summary interpretation, highlighting any results that require further action or investigation for ease. This is further supplemented with clear advice and recommendations from expert environmental consultants, Argyll Environmental Ltd. Another advantage is that RiskView Residential supports conveyancers with a fixed-fee approach, by having a set cost it makes it far easier to provide quotations to clients with a single up-front fee, rather than quote for individual reports as and when ordered. Ultimately, the aim of RiskView Residential is to support conveyancers in delivering ‘total due diligence’, whilst saving time, money and delivering the very best, ‘next generation’ client care. Not only does it help simplify the process for all involved, but it is the first radical step in taking conveyancing due diligence into a fully digital age. 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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#DreamHome
It’s more than just a property…... Let’s work together to help your clients buy their dream home. 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