Editor, Solicitors Journal

FREE CARPETS

2 Jan 2019News

A report by the Housing, Communities and Local Government select committee has highlighted concerns over the relationship between property developers and conveyancers. MPs heard evidence that developers offered prospective buyers free carpets and free lawns if they used the recommended solicitors. Of even greater concern, some property solicitors, the report said, were 'too close to developers and did not put their clients' interests first'. There were especially serious complaints by purchasers of leasehold houses whose rents had escalated, saying their solicitors had been negligent in not explaining onerous terms in leases. 20 March 2019

Legal News desk contact: editorial@solicitorsjournal.com

Latest Articles

Small firms eager to embrace technology

A recent report reveals small legal firms are enthusiastic about technology adoption, but substantial barriers remain

AI, data and breaches: security in the age of machine learning

As AI transforms business operations, it also magnifies data breach risks—demanding smarter, AI-specific security strategies from both customers and suppliers

Sorry seems to be the hardest word… changes afoot for the law of apologies

Oliver Lock from Farrer & Co takes a closer look at the changes being proposed to legislation to facilitate apologies without admitting liability

Merricks v Mastercard: the first contested settlement of a funded class action

Emma Carr and Louise Macdonald from Gowling WLG provide an overview of the ruling and its significance

Optis v Apple: Court of Appeal redefines FRAND principles for global SEP licensing

Court of Appeal overturns High Court ruling, restoring comparables-based FRAND valuation and reshaping SEP dispute standards.

Law Society voices concerns over Data Act

The Law Society supports the Data Act's goal to modernise data use while raising concerns about privacy protections

New law tightens citizenship appeal rules

A new law aims to keep potential security threats from regaining British citizenship during appeal processes

Overcrowded prisons lead to increased violence

New research highlights a concerning link between overcrowded prisons and rising violence rates among inmates

New law promotes equality in sentencing

A new law ensures that pre-sentence reports will fairly treat individuals irrespective of race or religion

High Court Clarifies Cost Liability in Illiquidx v Altana Trade Secrets Case

Costs ruling highlights precision’s impact in complex commercial confidentiality disputes.

Privy Council Clarifies Easement Registration in Cayman Shores Development Ruling

Privy Council overturns misclassified recreational rights as easements in landmark Cayman Islands property case.

Rasmala v Trafigura: Key Restitution and Unjust Enrichment Ruling

The High Court has dismissed a $21 million restitution claim in Rasmala Trade Finance Fund v Trafigura PTE Ltd (2025), with significant implications for recovery in commercial fraud cases involving innocent third parties.

Protecting the public interest in the practice of law

The SRA relies on self-reporting to function, yet confusion and inertia risk enabling professional misconduct.

The report on improving family court services for children is an unsurprisingly depressing read for family law practitioners

Rachel Frost-Smith, Legal Director of the Family Team at Birketts, shares her experience of the impact of the delays in family court proceedings