A major report has recommended new complaints procedures for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) which are in dispute with their banks and other lenders. The report follows widespread alleged misconduct by banks in the wake of the global financial crisis. …read more
Solicitor struck off after practicing for 12 years without insurance. Published December 2018
A veteran solicitor has been struck off after practicing without insurance for 12 years. Peter Rollin also failed to seek authorisation to act as a sole practitioner and did not keep proper accounts, among numerous other rule breaches. Mr Rollin,…read more
Conveyancers face class action over leasehold advice. Published December 2018
A law firm has kicked-off a class action against residential property conveyancers. The firms had acted for around 500 people who they say were misled about ground rent conditions when they bought their properties. Some leasehold purchasers have faced onerous…read more
Financial Ombudsman to take on SME complaints from 2019. Published December 2018
Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) will be able to take complaints about financial businesses to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) from 1 April 2019 under plans announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The regulator is also consulting on increasing…read more
Construction design firm avoids £40 million liability claim. Published December 2018
Starting work on a construction project before contract terms were agreed nearly exposed a design consultancy to a £40 million liability claim. Arcadis Consulting was hired by concrete sub-contractor AMEC to undertake design work on two projects , the Wellcome…read more
Landlord on the hook in sale of asbestos contaminated property. Published November 2018
Undisclosed asbestos contamination in a warehouse has cost the landlords nearly £1.5 million in clean-up costs. The landlords tried to avoid liability by relying on an exclusion clause which said the tenant could not rely on any statement made by…read more
Law firm pays damages despite mortgage fraud. Published November 2018
A law firm has been forced to pay damages for failing to register a property transfer, despite the client having been involved in mortgage fraud. The Appeal Court ruled that the client’s illegal mortgage application was not linked with her…read more
Home-builder fails in asbestos negligence claim
A division of Barratt Homes has failed to win damages after an environmental survey missed serious asbestos contamination. The engineering firm which undertook the survey had a contract which provided it with a defence against third-party negligence claims. Bridgend Council…read more
First fully-video court hearings welcomed by users. Published November 2018
The first fully-video court hearings have been hailed as a success by HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and the Ministry of Justice. However critics have highlighted technology issues that need addressing before the system can be used more widely….read more
Financial Ombudsman backs client who overruled pension advice. Published November 2018
The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has awarded compensation to a pension transfer client, despite the independent financial adviser (IFA) recommending against the transfer. The controversial decision could mean that fewer firms act for insistent clients in the future. IFA firm…read more
