E-conveyancing takes a step closer

Posted by Justin on Mar 13, 2013 in conveyancing, legal-procedure, Nelsons' Column | 0 comments I have just completed my first online Land Registry application. Some pilot firms have been doing this for months, but most of us have continued to submit paper applications by post or Document Exchange. Using the online document registration service has some mild benefits in terms of speed and security, but there is certainly room for further progress.  First, the online system can (currently)...
read more

Not all conveyancers are the same

Posted by Justin on Jan 30, 2011 in conveyancing, Nelsons' Column | 0 comments We pride ourselves on being efficient, swift, approachable and good value for money – but we would, wouldn’t we? Anyway, that’s what they all say but, contrary to widely-held assumptions, not all firms offer the same standard of service or value for money.  How can you actually tell what a particular firm is like before you commit to them? First, take a look at their website...
read more

Commoditisation -v- the old-fashioned “family solicitor”

Posted by Justin on Jan 16, 2011 in accountants, conveyancing, estate agents, lawyers, Nelsons' Column, professionals | 0 comments In The Private Patient, the author – P D James – several times includes an assumption that “people of means” will have a permanent solicitor – a family solicitor – who knows their background and previous dealings, and can give a broad range of advice and information. While this used to be the case – and is a useful means for fictional detectives to find...
read more

Lawyers are rubbish …

Posted by Justin on Jan 9, 2011 in Abaddons Musings, conveyancing, cynicism, lawyers, legal system, professionals | 2 comments … well, too many of them are, anyway. We often wonder why we get so many irrelevant or unnecessary additional enquiries from buyers’ conveyancers (including solicitors). In the last couple of weeks, the answer has dawned on us: not only have they not read the paperwork we already sent them – they don’t care. They want us to answer their own standard questions; they then...
read more

Adding value

Posted by Justin on Jan 5, 2011 in Abaddons Musings, conveyancing, estate agents, lawyers, legal system, professionals, service | 0 comments I am told by those who know more about this sort of thing than I do – marketing people, mainly – that the “value dimensions” of a business depend on it displaying one or more of the following – product leadership operational excellence customer intimacy True or not, it provides food for thought Product leadership Hmm … that’s a difficult one for lawyers,...
read more

9 ways to choose a lawyer

Posted by Justin on Jan 2, 2011 in Abaddons Musings, accountants, communitarianism, conveyancing, estate agents, lawyers, legal system, local, professionals, service | 0 comments Some thoughts on how to choose who should handle your legal work for you – mainly focused on residential conveyancing, but of  relevance to other fields as well:1. Listen to personal recommendations: If you are moving home, speak to friends and family who have moved home recently. If you have a commercial transaction or need other business-related legal help, speak to your accountant....
read more