Latest news
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15 May 2013: CLC reacts to Lord Chancellor's decision not to regulate will-writing
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers today expressed disappointment at the Lord Chancellor's decision that will writing should be subject to self-regulation and has not chosen to make it a reserved legal service. Read more
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14 May 2013: CLC Publish Diversity Profiling Results
IN April of this year, the CLC began preparations to undertake a programme of diversity profiling work.
This work is a requirement of the Legal Services Board and is designed to ensure the legal services market is reflective of the society it serves.
Just as we will be asking our regulated practices to complete a diversity profiling exercise, we have already done so amongst our own staff here at the CLC. Read more
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7 May 2013: Review of Licence and Practice Fee Arrangements
The CLC is consulting on the structure for setting regulatory fees for 2013-2014. We intend to set regulatory fees applying the model that has been in force since 1 November 2010. Read more and respond to the consultation.
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7 May 2013: Discipline and Appeals Arrangements Consultation
Between January 2013 and March 2013 the CLC consulted on our Discipline and Appeals Arrangements. We received 27 completed responses. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the consultation. This document sets out the findings of that consultation exercise.
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3 May 2013: Mike Judge Property Lawyers
On the 30th April 2012 the CLC intervened into the licensed conveyancing practice Mike Judge Property Lawyers of 11-13 Cheetham Street Rochdale, Lancashire. We would like to assure existing clients of Mike Judge Property Lawyers that the CLC is working to ensure that outstanding conveyancing transactions can proceed with minimal inconvenience. If you have any queries, please contact the CLC at clc@clc-uk.org or on 01245 349599.
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23 April 2013: Consultation - Referral Fees
We're grateful to everyone who took part in our consultation on the future of referral fees. As ever, opinions on principle of referral fees is very evenly divided but there is a very clear majority in favour of the enhanced disclosure provisions we have proposed. The Council will now consider the final shape of our policy on the management of referral fees. Read an overview of responses.
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27
March 2013: Consultation - Standalone Licences
The
Council for Licensed Conveyancers has today issued a consultation paper
which is open for responses until Wednesday 19th June 2013. Read
more.
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11
March 2013: CLC Launches New Course
The CLC has launched a new course aimed at staff working in a wide range of sectors such as legal, property or financial services, who want to understand the basics of conveyancing.
Read
more.
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21 January 2013: Consultation - Discipline and Appeals Arrangements
The
Council for Licensed Conveyancers has today issued a consultation paper
which is open for responses until Friday 19th April 2013. Read
more.
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14 January 2013: Update on the Legal Ombudsman Scheme Rule Changes
The Legal Ombudsman has received the go ahead to update its rules on complaint handling.
The changes are intended to help the Ombudsman respond to a developing legal services market and ready it to start handling complaints about claims management companies later this year.
It is hoped that the changes will also ensure the Ombudsman becomes an even more viable alternative to court action for disgruntled legal customers.
Read
more.
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3 January 2013: Information on the proposed
changes to the Legal Ombudsman Scheme Rules and on Anti Money Laundering Regulations
The
Council for Licensed Conveyancers has issued information to its regulated community on the above subjects. Read
more. Read
more.
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14 November 2012: CLC appoints new Chief Executive
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has today [Wednesday 14 November 2012] announced the appointment of Sheila Kumar as its Chief Executive, starting in January 2013. Read
more.
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24 October 2012: Complaints Handling Guidance
The CLC has issued information to its regulated community on what complainants want most: a straightforward response and an apology. The article includes questions which firms should ask of themselves to determine whether their procedures are as effective as they could be. Links are also included to the Good Complaints Handling Guide and research by the Legal Ombudsman. Read more.
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9 October 2012: Benton and Co
On the 09th October 2012 the CLC intervened into the licensed conveyancing practice Benton and Co, Cambridge Place, Cambridge. We would like to assure existing clients of Benton and Co that the CLC is working to ensure that outstanding conveyancing transactions can proceed with minimal inconvenience. If you have any queries, please contact the CLC at clc@clc-uk.org or on 01245 349599. Read more.
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5 September 2012: SRC Conveyancing
On 4 September 2012 the CLC intervened into the licensed conveyancing practice SRC Conveyancing, Dorking Road, Dorking, Surrey. We would like to assure existing clients of SRC Conveyancing that the CLC is working to ensure that outstanding conveyancing transactions can proceed to completion with minimal inconvenience. If you have any queries, please contact the CLC at clc@clc-uk.org or on 01245 349599. Read more.
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24 August 2012: CLC issues fifth ABS licence, to Total Conveyancing Services
Total Conveyancing Services, the trading name of LMS Direct Conveyancing Limited, has today (24 August 2012) been awarded an ABS licence by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. Read more.
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13 August 2012: CLC issues ABS licence to Kings Court Trust
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has issued an ABS licence to Kings Court Trust Limited, a specialist probate provider. Kings Court Trust is the third ABS to be licensed by the CLC, and the only ABS to date to focus solely on probate activities. Read more.
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19 July 2012: CLC response to LSB Consultation Paper - Will Writing
The CLC response to the LSB's consultations on the proposed regulatory approach for Will-writing, estate admin and probate. Read more.
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19 July 2012: CLC response to LSB Consultation Paper - Special Bodies
The CLC response to the LSB's consultations on the proposed regulatory approach for Special Bodies (not-for-profit ABS). Read more.
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6 July 2012: CLC issues new ABS Licence
Birmingham firm Northwood Banks & Co become the second ABS to be licensed by the CLC. Read more.
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22 June 2012: CLC issues guidance for
practices affected by bank systems breakdown
The CLC has today issued
guidance for all licence holders undertaking transactions that may be affected
by the current banking issues affecting NatWest and RBS banks. Read more.
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21 June 2012: CLC issues response to Legal Ombudsman Consultation
The CLC has issued a response to the Legal Ombudsman Rules and Costs Consultation. Read more.
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21 June 2012: New separate representation instructions to take effect in July.
The CML has issued new instructions for conveyancers acting for lenders under separate representation conveyancing transactions in England and Wales. Read more.
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14 June 2012: CLC publishes results of diversity profiling work
In line with requirements from the LSB, the CLC is sending diversity profiling questionnaires to the licenced community. Today, we publish our own results. Read more.
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15 May 2012:
HSBC Lenders Panel
arrangement
The
Council for Licensed Conveyancers has today responded to the announcement that
HSBC will be expanding the membership of its lenders panel. Read more.
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9 May 2012: Regulators join forces for consumer protection
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers is one of a number of regulators to have signed a formal agreement to allow greater sharing of information. Read more.
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10 April 2012: CLC Announces interim Chief
Executive
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has appointed an
interim Chief Executive. Read more.
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10 April 2012: CLC Responds to Litigation and Advocacy
Decision
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers is today continuing to
progress its plans to regulate conveyancers providing litigation and advocacy
services, following the determination made by the Legal Services Board. Read more.
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15 March 2012: Be social with the CLC
Keep up to date with all the latest news from the CLC, join in the conversation and link up with industry colleagues. Read more.
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24 February
2012: Meet YOUR Practice
Inspector
As part of
its new outcomes-focussed regulatory regime the CLC has streamlined activities
in our inspection team. Read more.
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24 February
2012: Litigation and Advocacy: Our Ambitions for
2012
The CLC is
currently awaiting a decision on our application to extend the scope of the
legal services we regulate, to include litigation and advocacy. Read more.
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23 February 2012: Diversity Monitoring and the LSB
The Legal Services Board is
requiring all Approved Regulators, including the CLC, to collect and publish
anonymised data about the diversity of its regulated community. Crispin
Passmore, Strategy Director at the LSB, explains why this information is so
important. Read more.
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17 February 2012: CLC Announcement
The CLC today, February 17, announces that Chief Executive
Victor Olowe is leaving the organisation. Read
more.
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16 February 2012: CLC responds to HSBC panel announcement
The CLC is calling for all lenders to put consumer choice, transparency and fairness first. The warning comes in response to the recent decision by HSBC to launch a lenders panel with just 43 members - a move which has raised a number of concerns amongst the profession. Read more.
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8 December 2011: CLC welcomes Society of Licensed Conveyancers Quality Assured initiative
The CLC has welcomed the Society of Licensed Conveyancers new ‘Quality Assured’ Scheme which was announced last week. Read more.
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7 December 2011: About the CLC's adjudication panel
CLC Director of Policy and Standards Simon Blandy explains the
background to the new adjudication panel, its membership, and its remit. Read more.
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7 December 2011: CLC responds to mortgage fraud findings
The CLC has issued an updated mortgage fraud Practice Note for all regulated individuals and entities following its Call for Evidence earlier this year. Read more.
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5 December 2011: ABS: Feedback from the front
Rob Gurney, licensed conveyancer and Director of Premier Property Lawyers – the first licensed Alternative Business Structure in England and Wales - reflects on 6 October and its future impacts. Read more.
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15 November 2011: Victor Olowe: Enhancing innovation through outcomes-focused regulation
At the recent Today's Conveyancer Moving With The Times Conference, CLC Chief Executive Victor Olowe discussed how smarter innovation can help overcome some of
the barriers to innovation in the legal services profession.
We are pleased to announce that Victor's presentation is now available online.
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10 November 2011: CLC calls for review of the scope of legal services
regulation
In its response to the LSB’s discussion document “Enhancing
Consumer Protection, Reducing Regulatory Restrictions”, the CLC has called for a
comprehensive review of the scope of reserved legal practices. Download
our response here.
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6 October 2011: CLC Licenses first 'ABS' Law Firm
The CLC will license externally-owned and managed law firms in England and Wales from 6 October. The date marks a change in the way consumers are able to purchase legal services, with new 'Alternative Business Structure' (ABS) firms set to enter the market for the first time.
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6 October 2011: CLC's New Regulatory Arrangements Go Live
Our new outcomes-focused regulatory approach went live
on 6 October 2011. The new approach is risk-based, concentrated less upon
compliance with prescriptive rules and more explicitly focused upon the delivery
of specific positive outcomes for clients.
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6 October 2011: Latest Edition of Chronicle Published
The latest edition of Chronicle is now on its way to all CLC licence holders, registered students and subscribers. In the edition:
- The Big Bang Paul Broadhead of the BSA speaks to CLC
- ABS & Outcomes-Focused Regulation Victor Olowe's Update
- Get Ready for the Revolution Licensed conveyancer Gary Rolfe on the changes taking place in the industry
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21 September 2011: Accountant's Report & Checklist
Licensed conveyancers and CLC regulated practices can download the Accountant's Report and Checklist by logging in to the Extranet.
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9 September 2011: Licensed Body (ABS) Application Pack Available Online
The Application Pack for applying to become a licensed Alternative Business Structure is now available.
The Pack includes accompanying Guidance Notes while further supporting information can be found on the dedicated Outcomes-Focused and Risk-Based Regulation section of our website.
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31 August 2011: UPDATE: Student Registration Extended to 16 September
Students can renew their annual registration
online by clicking here to log
in. The deadline for registering has now been extended to 16 September.
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30 August 2011: Mortgage Fraud Call for Evidence: Thematic Summary of Responses published
In July 2010 the CLC wrote to its regulated community seeking feedback regarding the causes and prevention of mortgage fraud. Following this Call for Evidence, a Thematic Summary of Responses has now been published.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who responded to the Call for Evidence. The feedback we have recieved will help inform the development of the CLC's regulatory arrangements in this area, as well as the Legal Services Board's Thematic Review of mortgage fraud and conveyancing.
Further guidance on the prevention of mortgage fraud can be found in the Summary of Warning Signs section (pages 118-121) of the CLC Handbook.
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23 August 2011: PWC Solicitors
PWC Solicitors, of Ilford, were intervened into by the Solicitors Regulation Authority on 16 August 2011. All queries should be referred to the Intervention Agents in the first instance, which in this case is the firm Devonshires based in Moorgate, London. The solicitor dealing with this is Charles Billingham, who can be contacted by phone on 0207 628 77576.
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12 August 2011: June 2011 Examination Results Released
Results from the June 2011 examinations have been released today. Students can
find further details on the Student Notice Board
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19 July 2011: Land Registry Update
As of 18 July 2011, responsibility for Land Registry—the government department responsible for land registration in England and Wales—moved from the Ministry of Justice to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).
The move saw responsibility move from the Lord Chancellor, Kenneth Clarke, to the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills, Dr Vince Cable.
Malcolm Dawson, Chief Land Registrar and Chief Executive & Accounting Officer, said: "We are pleased to be joining the BIS family along with the Met Office and Ordnance Survey. I believe this transfer will strengthen existing partnerships as well as opening up new and exciting opportunities for collaboration."
He added: "This marks a significant step towards the establishment of a Public Data Corporation (PDC), plans for which were announced by the Government in January this year. Final decisions on membership, structure and commercial strategy of the PDC will be taken later this year, following a consultation on PDC data policy, due to launch over the summer."
The transfer of responsibility will have no impact on the status and operation of Land Registry on its stakeholders.
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1 July 2011: Bowman Law Limited
On 30 June 2011 the CLC intervened in the licensed conveyancing practice Bowman Law Limited. We would like to assure existing clients of Bowman Law Limited that the CLC is working to ensure that outstanding transactions can proceed to completion with minimal inconvenience. If you have any queries, please contact the CLC at clc@clc-uk.org or on 01245 349599.
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29 June 2011: Legal Practice Inspector vacancy
Help us shape the future of regulation as a Legal Practice Inspector. Visit our careers page for more information.
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23 June 2011: Anna Bradley reacts to the Legal Services Board's Smedley Report
Anna Bradley, Chair of the CLC, has welcomed the publication of the Smedley Report: "The smaller approved regulators – An assessment of their capacity and capability to meet the requirements of the Legal Services Act 2007" by the Legal Service Board (LSB).
Commenting on the report, she said: "We welcome the report's overall conclusion with regard to the CLC that:
'[It] is a robust and experienced regulator of front-line services, with current experience of ABS-style structures and entity regulation. It offers the prospect of introducing greater competition into the legal services market through expanding its activities'.
"We are delighted that the LSB has so clearly endorsed this view in its recommendation of the CLC to become a Licensing Authority. The recent approval of our application by the Legal Services Board represents the result of twenty years of work to remove barriers to entry, increase consumer choice, raise standards in conveyancing and enable greater diversity amongst providers."
Bradley added: "The CLC, like all regulators in this sector, are fully aware of the challenges the new LSB requirements present for all of us (big and small) going forward. This is why we have a clear corporate strategy for strengthening our capability and capacity, building upon our good record on risk management in the conveyancing market.
She continued: "The report acknowledges that the CLC have been addressing the strategic challenges it faces. The Council will be working with the LSB to move forward to the next stage."
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17 May 2011: Standard of Proof Consultation Summary
On 7 April 2011 the CLC issued a consultation on a proposed amendment to its Application to the Legal Services Board to be designated as a Licensing Authority.
A summary of the responses received to the consultation has now been published
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16 May 2011: Corporate Strategy 2011-13 and Business Plan 2011
The CLC's  Corporate Strategy 2011 - 2013 and Business Plan 2011 have now been published.
Our Corporate Strategy outlines the CLC's vision and key priorities from 2011 to 2013. The Business Plan, developed in line with our Corporate Strategy, outlines the CLC's key priorities and objectives during 2011.
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10 May 2011: Legal Services Board Approves CLC's Application to Regulate Alternative Business Structures
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has announced that it has approved the CLC's application to regulate Alternative Business Structures (ABS). The LSB will now recommend to the Lord Chancellor that an order is made designating the CLC as a Licensing Authority. The Order is due to be made in August so that the CLC can start issuing licences to ABS from 6 October 2011.
The LSB's Decision Notice can be found here. 
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7 April 2011: Proposed Amendment to the Application by the CLC to the Legal Services Board to be designated as a Licensing Authority: Standard of Proof.
The CLC published one consultation paper in August 2010 on the draft Code of Conduct and a further four consultation papers in September 2010 setting out its intended arrangements for applying a principles based and outcomes focused approach to regulation, to regulate litigation and advocacy services and to be designated a Licensing Authority.
This consultation paper advised of a proposed amendment to our application to the Legal Services Board to be designated as a Licensing Authority, as further explained in the executive summary.
The consultation period ended 27 April 2011.
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7 March 2011: The February 2011 edition of Chronicle, CLC's quarterly journal, has now been published.
- Super Market? Jon Robins discusses consumer appetite for alternative business structures.
- Sarah Beeny. The TV property expert shares her predictions for the property sector in 2011.
- The Social Network. Sally Holdway explains why legal service providers should embrace social media.
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14 February 2011: Feedback from CLC's Outcomes-Focused Regulation Consultation
The CLC's journey towards a regulatory approach more focused on the delivery of
positive outcomes continued during autumn 2010 with the issue of four
consultations:
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Revised Rules & Guidance Notes;
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Regulatory & Enforcement Policies;
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Licensed Body Framework; and
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Litigation & Advocacy Framework.
We would like to take the opportunity to thank all who responded to the
consultations and are now pleased to be able to publish our feedback which you
can view here.
If you have any comments regarding the CLC's consultation process, please e-mail us.
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11 February 2011: Legal Services Board Applications
As planned, the CLC has submitted applications to become a Licensing Authority
and to extend the scope of services regulated to include litigation and rights
of audience (advocacy).
If you have any comments, please e-mail us.
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31 January 2011: Sarah Beeny: Is ABS a threat or opportunity?
"It is important to ensure that the changes taking place best serve the customer." TV property expert Sarah Beeny talks to the CLC
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31 January 2011: CLC Consultation update
In August 2010 the CLC first issued its Outcomes-Focused Regulation
consultation, inviting comment on our proposed regulatory arrangements under the
following regime:
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Code of Conduct (revision of existing Conduct Rules);
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Revised Rules & Guidance Notes (revision of existing arrangements);
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Regulatory and Enforcement Policies (formalisation of existing
arrangements);
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Licensed Body Framework (new arrangements to enable us to become a Licensing
Authority which licenses Alternative Business Structures; a number of CLC
Recognised Bodies will need to become Licensed Bodies in accordance with the
Legal Services Act 2007); and
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Litigation and Advocacy Code and training provisions (new arrangements to
support the intended extension of our regulatory scope).
We would like to take the opportunity to thank all those who responded to the
consultations. A summary of all of the responses received, and the amendments
made to the draft arrangements as a result, will shortly be published
online.
The findings are reflected in the Schedule 4 (revisions of existing
regulatory arrangements), Licensing Authority and extension of regulatory scope
applications to be made to the Legal Services Board early in February 2011. It
is intended that the new Codes, Guidance, Frameworks and Policies that make up
our regulatory arrangements will become operational from October 2011; with the
litigation and advocacy arrangements going live at a later date, should our
application prove successful.
In the coming months we will raise awareness amongst the regulated community
of their regulatory responsibilities under the new arrangements.
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31 January 2011: Follow us on Twitter @CLC_news.
You can now follow the CLC on Twitter.
Twitter is a micro-blogging site - a realtime information network that
connects anyone in the world to information that they find interesting.
CLC's Communications team will be providing regular updates - 'Tweets' - on
the latest news affecting our regulated community.
To view our Twitter page, click here.
Find out why you or your
business should join Twitter.
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31 January 2011: CLC website goes live!
Our new website is now live.
'The site has been launched at an exciting time as we move towards a more
liberalised legal services market,' said Victor Olowe, CLC Chief Executive.
We hope you like the new look and feel of our site and hope that you will
recommend it as a source of information to your friends and colleagues.
The content of the site will be regularly updated, so do check back whenever
possible to see the latest news affecting licensed conveyancers and the legal
services industry.
If you have any comments, please e-mail us.
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