Posted on 29/11/11, filed under Fresh News | No Comments
We are pleased to announce that we have become one of the first practices in West Sussex to secure membership to the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme – the mark of excellence for the home buying process.
Bennett Griffin LLP underwent rigorous assessment by the Law Society in order to secure CQS status, which marks the firm out as meeting high standards in the residential conveyancing process.
Law Society President Linda Lee said that the Law Society introduced CQS to help to recognise high standards in the home buying process and deter fraud in the residential property market.
CQS improves efficiency with common, consistent standards and service levels and enables consumers to recognise practices, such as Bennett Griffin LLP, that provide a quality residential conveyancing service.
Buying a home is one of the largest purchases anyone will make in their lifetime, so it is essential that it is done to the highest standard by a solicitor. There are many different conveyancing service providers out there, making it difficult for home buyers to identify those which can ensure a safe and efficient level of service.
Head of Residential Conveyancing Patrick Kilby says: Bennett Griffin LLP is delighted to have secured CQS status. It is recognition of the high standards we provide to our residential property clients and is a signal to future home buyers of the excellent service level we provide at what is often a stressful time for many people.
The overall beneficiaries will be clients who use Bennett Griffin LLP when buying a home. They will receive a reliable, efficient service as recognised by the CQS standard.
The scheme requires practices to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self reporting, random audits and annual reviews in order to maintain CQS status. It is open only to members of the Law Society and to those who meet the demanding standards the scheme will set and has the support of the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Building Societies Association, and the Association of British Insurers.
Posted on 29/11/11, filed under Wills | No Comments
As you may have seen in the press recently, there are many will writers out there who are unqualified and unregulated. There is little remedy available for families who suffer as a result of a poorly drafted will.
“The Law Society President, John Wotton, said at the moment anyone in England and Wales can operate as a will writer and sell products that are not fit for purpose.”
This warning comes from the Law Society’s recent press release, which highlights some of the problems associated with unregulated will writers, particularly where they are given the power to manage client’s assets.
“The Law Society has warned that consumers risk losing everything if they allow unqualified and unregulated will writers to have full control of their estate’s assets.
“John Wotton said it is becoming more difficult to assist consumers to identify reputable service providers as many providers now operate online.”
You can read the full press release here.
As John Wotton says, the problem is that many people do not know how to find out whether their will writer is regulated or not. If in doubt, use a solicitor or legal executive, who will always be qualified and regulated.
For more information, please contact Jo Ostrom on 01903 706963 or jos@bennett-griffin.co.uk
Posted on 24/11/11, filed under Employment | No Comments
The Business Secretary Vince Cable is due to announce that the coalition government has agreed to employment law reforms.
Companies employing fewer than 10 staff could be exempted from employment regulations under a consultation to be announced on Wednesday, in an attempt to promote economic growth.
The proposals to relax the rules for ‘micro companies’ are expected to be announced by business secretary Vince Cable as the government accepts a recommendation on employment law from the venture capitalist Adrian Beecroft.
In a speech on Wednesday Vince Cable will say that the coalition has agreed other areas of employment law reform to include: -
- A consultation on introducing “protected conversations” to allow employers to discuss an employee’s poor performance or retirement in an open way that could not be used in a tribunal claim.
- An overhaul of tribunals that would mean all claims initially go to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. Witness expenses would be ended and only one judge would be used in unfair dismissal cases.
- A further consultation on simplifying the use of compromise agreements in which employers pay an agreed amount to an employee if both sides agree that a contract of employment should end.
These proposals will hopefully result in a much simpler system for employers and employees making it easier for businesses when taking on, managing and letting go of their staff.
If you or your business has any employment queries, then please contact Elaine Smith es@bennett-griffin.co.uk (01903 706966) or Hannah Bennett hrb@bennett-griffin.co.uk (01903 706972)
