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News

Response to publication of the OLC Annual Report

16 July, 2020

Responding to the publication of the Office for Legal Complaints Annual Report, a CLC Spokesperson said: “The OLC’s Annual Report identifies ongoing significant problems with LeO’s cost per case and a worrying impact on their performance owing to a high level of staff turnover. Our concerns about the cost and efficiency of the OLC are [Read more]

Intervention into Roberts Rose Partnership Limited a former Recognised Body)

2 July, 2020

Roberts Rose Partnership Limited (a former Recognised Body) Intervention into Roberts Rose Partnership – 02 July 2020 The practice closed on 11 March 2020.  In light of breaches of the Code of Conduct, the occurrence of an insolvency event and to protect the interests of the firm’s clients, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has [Read more]

Two new members appointed to the CLC’s governing Council

24 June, 2020

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), the regulator of property and probate lawyers, has today announced the appointment of two new Council members. Jenny Quirke takes up the post of Chair of the CLC’s Audit and Risk Committee and joins the CLC Council in August, following the end of incumbent Heather Foster’s term. Milton James [Read more]

LSB approves CLC’s revised accounts code

19 June, 2020

A revised accounts code that expressly allows firms regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) to use third-party managed accounts (TPMAs), and deal more easily with aged balances up to £50, has been approved by the Legal Services Board (LSB). The new code, which will come into force on 30 September 2020, will contain [Read more]

TQ Property Lawyers

16 June, 2020

TQ Property Lawyers have informed the CLC that they intend to close the practice on 30 June 2020. The practice are in the process of contacting all clients who have a live conveyancing matter to inform them of the arrangements they are putting in place for the closure. TQ Property Lawyers may recommend to you [Read more]

Response from the CLC to Reforming Legal Services: Regulation beyond the echo chambers

11 June, 2020

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has responded to the publication today of an independent review of legal regulation, Reforming Legal Services: Regulation beyond the echo chambers, by Professor Stephen Mayson, Honorary Professor of Law at UCL. Sheila Kumar, Chief Executive of CLC says: “The CLC has sought to engage constructively with Professor Mayson. “Regulation [Read more]

Clearer and better for all: CLC seeks approval for revised accounts code

22 May, 2020

A revised accounts code that expressly allows firms regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) to use third-party managed accounts (TPMAs), and deal more easily with aged balances up to £50, have been submitted this week to the Legal Services Board. The new rules contain simpler, more targeted requirements to make the code easier [Read more]

Covid-19 Industry guide to supporting a safe home moving process released today

13 May, 2020

Re-Opening the Home Moving Market Safely May 2020 A cross industry guide to re-opening the housing market, enabling people to move safely has been published today. The collaborative industry guide sets out in detail how home moves can take place while still fully complying with social distancing measures and Public Health guidance. “Re-Opening the Home [Read more]

first direct electronic COT (e-COT)

13 May, 2020

first direct are launching an electronic Certificate of Title from 11am 18 May 2020, providing a simpler and faster end user service. The new e-COT will be available for England& Wales and Scottish purchase cases. The e-COT will be available on the first direct public website: firstdirect.com/legal-instructions When selecting the link for the e-COT it [Read more]

Potential changes to social distancing guidance during Covid-19: An update from the CLC

11 May, 2020

Over the last few days, the UK residential property industry, including the CLC,  have been working collaboratively and engaging with MHCLG to develop cross-industry Coronavirus (Covid-19) guidance for professionals in ensuring a safe home moving process, whilst maintaining social distancing. Following the Prime Minister’s statement last night, we expect more detailed guidance for businesses to [Read more]

Fletcher Longstaff (In administration)

7 May, 2020

The CLC Regulated Practice Fletcher Longstaff has this week been placed into administration. If you have a live file with Fletcher Longstaff you should have been contacted by them to provide your authority to transfer your file to the practice of Taylor Rose TTKW in Peterborough, or another firm of your choosing.  If you have [Read more]

Potential money laundering risks arising from the COVID-19 pandemic

6 May, 2020

The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has published a report on COVID-19 related money laundering and terrorist financing risks and policy responses across its member states. It notes that at present, most risks relate to the offences that generate criminal proceeds, and specific ML/TF typologies are in the early stages of being identified. However, you [Read more]

CLC ID and Verification Guidance Note

29 April, 2020

To support CLC Practices in carrying out client due diligence while they are not able to meet clients in person and view physical identify documents we have produced a guidance note on using digital ID&V methods that provide Practices with robust assurance that a client is who they claim to be. This Guidance Note summarises [Read more]

CLC Telephones – 29 April 2020

29 April, 2020

There has been intermittent issues with calls to CLC telephone numbers. This should now have been fixed, but if you have issues getting through please do re-try.

COVID-19: Preventing Money Laundering/Terrorist Financing in Legal Practices

14 April, 2020

The Legal Sector Affinity Group (LSAG) has issued advice for legal practices on preventing money laundering and terrorist financing during the COVID-19 pandemic. CLC Practices should refer to the advice for guidance on the risks arising, identification and verification (including digital identification services) and other issues including training requirements and policies, controls, and procedures. The [Read more]

CLC to support firms during coronavirus crisis by allowing them to defer payment of regulatory fees

7 April, 2020

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is to give the firms it regulates the option of deferring the regulatory fees they pay to help them cope with the coronavirus crisis. The CLC shares the Government’s determination that businesses that were sound before the coronavirus restrictions came into force should emerge from this period in good [Read more]

Statement on Conveyancing transactions

1 April, 2020

The CLC is aware of conveyancers coming under pressure to complete on non-critical transactions which involve one or more of the parties moving house during the current period of restrictions aimed at fighting the Coronavirus. As the government guidance states, ‘Conveyancers should advise their clients who are ready to move not to exchange contracts on [Read more]

Government advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

27 March, 2020

This advice was issued by the Government on 26 March 2020 This guidance applies to people buying or selling private residential homes which they intend to live in. Published 26 March 2020 From: Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government Contents Buying and Selling Homes during this stay-at-home period Advice to the public Advice to [Read more]

Coronavirus – Impact on transactions

16 March, 2020

The CLC has received a number of queries about proposals to insert a Coronavirus clause into contracts in conveyancing transactions.  The CLC’s view is that so far as is consistent with the interests of the client you should continue to work within the Standard Conditions of Sale.  There is a risk of unintended consequences if [Read more]

first direct mortgage panel criteria change

24 February, 2020

first direct has informed us that they’re making changes to their purchase mortgage panel criteria to fully align with HSBC UK Bank plc. With effect from 28th February 2020 only conveyancing firms who are eligible to act for HSBC will be able to act for first direct. As part of this change, the lending transaction [Read more]

CLC consults on new guidance on client funds and aged balances

13 February, 2020

Draft guidance on how firms regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) can use third-party managed accounts (TPMAs) – instead of holding client money themselves – has been published today by the regulator. The CLC is consulting on proposed guidance which follows forthcoming revisions to the CLC’s Accounts Code. The guidance is for the [Read more]

Conveyancing in 2030 – looking to an electronic future

29 January, 2020

The role of the conveyancer is undoubtedly going to change as much of the administrative side of the role becomes automated over the coming years, a new report from the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has predicted. Conveyancers will bank both time and cost savings, to be reinvested in improving the quality of service, upgrading [Read more]

Scam Text Message Alert

20 January, 2020

Fake text messages are being sent out claiming to be from the “CLC enforcement team” reporting an unpaid balance. The texts further advise that the CLC will be attending their property address within the next 7 days if the balance remains unpaid. If you receive such a text claiming to be from us please ignore [Read more]

Intervention into The Foster Partnership Limited

17 October, 2019

Intervention into The Foster Partnership Limited – 17 October 2019 In light of breaches of the Code of Conduct and to protect the interests of the firm’s clients, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has intervened into: The Foster Partnership Trading from: 28 Cavendish Street                                        67 High Street Ramsgate                                                            Herne Bay Kent                                                                      [Read more]

Confidence high amongst CLC regulated community, research finds

30 September, 2019

New research published by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) today reports strong levels of business confidence amongst its regulated community, with almost a half of practices (45%) expecting their work volumes to rise over the next 12 months. A further 42% expected work volumes to remain the same, with just 13% expecting work to [Read more]