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On 8th May 2019, Future Climate Info (FCI) are making some changes to their commercial reports to help speed up transactions - particularly those with a Retail purpose.

‘FCI Standard Commercial’ and ‘FCI Premium Commercial’ are being withdrawn – and are being replaced with the following new reports: ‘FCI Retail’ and ‘FCI Commercial’.

You can find more information about these new reports below:

NEW FCI Retail report 

Price: £75 + VAT 

The FCI Retail Report is available for smaller retail properties - up to 0.25 hectares.

It includes remediation warranty and is also supported by £5 million professional indemnity cover.

It interrogates flood, environmental and ground stability datasets. 

• Flood

Analyses the impacts from key risks listed by The Law Society including Flooding from Rivers, The Sea, and Surface Water Flooding, Groundwater Flooding Susceptibility, Historic Flooding,  Flood Insurability, Flood Storage Areas, and nearby Surface  Water Features.

• Environmental

Analyses the impacts from key risks including Artificial Ground, Contaminated Land Insurability, Contaminated Land Register Entries  and Notices, Current Industrial Land Uses, Environmental Permits,  Petrol Stations, Landfill Sites Past and Present, Telecommunications  Transmitters, Potentially Contaminated Land from Past Industrial Land  Uses, Pollution Incidents, Air Quality, Potentially In-Filled Land, Pylons and Electricity  Lines, Radon Gas, Regulated Environmental Processes, and Surface  Dangers or Hazards.

• Ground Stability

Analyses the impacts from key risks including Subsidence, nearby  Ball Clay Mining Areas, Brine Compensation Areas, China Clay Mining  Areas,Coal Mining Areas, Geohazards such as Clay Shrinkage,  Landslips, Landslides and Sink Holes, Limestone Mining Areas, Past  Mining Hazards in Minerals other than coal, Modified Ground, Natural  Cavities, Potentially In-filled Land and Tin Mining Areas.

Click here to see a sample report

NEW FCI Commercial report

Price: From £100 + VAT

The FCI Commercial Report is aimed at other commercial and industrial units. Available in size brackets ranging from 0-15, 15-50 and 50-150 hectares. 

It is backed by £10 million professional indemnity cover and comes with expert support from FCI’s Risk Team.

It contains all of the information from the Retail report and also includes data on Energy & infrastructure such as wind farms, shale gas exploration, and HS2.

• Energy & Infrastructure

Analyses the impacts from key risks including Carbon Capture and Storage, Coal Bed Methane Extraction, Crossrail, Current and Future Hydropower Installations, Gas Recovery from Mines, HS2, Licensed Oil, Gas, and Shale Gas Exploration and Extraction, Major Energy, Environmental, and Transport Infrastructure, Power Stations, Solar Farms,Underground Coal Gasification and Wind Farms.

Click here to see a sample report

If you have any questions, please contact our Helpdesk on 0800 840 5571 or email helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk

Terry Jones Solicitors will be hosting a Spring Breakfast Property Seminar this May - in conjunction with tmgroup, Terrafirma and Howden - exploring the many and varied risks posed by the ground, alongside important changes to environmental due diligence in property development and purchase.

• Where? Shrewsbury Town Football Club (SY2 6ST)

• When? 8am-11am on Thursday 2nd May 2019 

• How do I register? Simply email marketing@terry-jones.co.uk to secure your place**

Learn more about the new chapter in the Conveyancing Handbook, the best ways to inform clients about ground hazard risks – and more!

Following breakfast at 8am, the seminar will begin at 8.30am. 

Presented by a panel of industry experts, the seminar sessions will cover a range of key topics, including:

• The new chapter in the Conveyancing Handbook reflecting the physical, legal and financial liabilities posed by ground hazards.

• Real-life case study examples highlighting the importance of identifying ground hazards.

• Advice on informing your clients about ground risks and how to manage them. 

• PI Insurance and how to achieve the best renewal terms in the current market.

There will then be a brief networking session – before the event closes at 11am.

Meet our panel of industry experts

If you’d like to find out more about our panel of industry experts, you can find a brief profile, as well as their LinkedIn profiles below:

• Clare Yates: Senior Business Development Manager for tmgroup with over 25 years of experience in the property industry. 

Connect with Clare

• Tom Backhouse: Award-winning geologist, entrepreneur and the CEO and Founder of Terrafirma, who specialise in the innovation and provision of environmental risk assessment and land information in the property, land, finance, insurance and public sectors. 

Connect with Tom

• Jenny Screech: Consultant with Howden UK Group Ltd, supporting their professional indemnity insurance (PII) proposition for solicitors and other legal professionals. 

Connect with Jenny

Secure your place and join us… 

Simply email marketing@terry-jones.co.uk to register**

**By sending your RSVP to Terry Jones Solicitors, you are agreeing to share your details with tmgroup, Terrafirma and Howden UK Group Limited. If you would not like to share your details with these companies, please ensure you add a note in your email opting out.  

4 months on from the transparency rules coming into effect on 6th December 2018, we caught up with Richard Williams, Policy Associate from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) at LegalEx 2019 to hear the latest. 

The new digital badge helps firms differentiate themselves from unregulated service providers

Did you know? 40% of firms regulated by the SRA are already displaying the new digital badge to differentiate themselves from unregulated legal services providers. For those embracing the transparency rules and the badge, ahead of the changes being mandatory from 25th November 2019, they are already benefitting from:

• Managing client cost expectations from day one and reducing the risk of price-related complaints further into the transaction. 

• Market differentiation and attracting new clients, as more people use legal services and shop around. 

• Sending a clear message of adhering to market standards and regulatory protections, helping them to win new business and give their clients peace of mind – as 80% of consumers said they were more likely to go with a firm with a badge on their website. 

Firms are falling short on complaints and VAT on disbursements

However, there are still some challenges to overcome. Whilst many firms are already displaying pricing information, Richard noted some are falling down on providing details around disbursements and VAT, as well as clearly displaying complaints procedure information, including:

• The firm’s complaints handling process

• Details about how to complain to the SRA

• Information about how to complain to the Legal Ombudsman

You can find more information about adding complaints procedure information to your website here.  

What happens next? 

As the official deadline of 25th November looms closer, the SRA will continue to keep a close eye on the uptake of the new rules. They will be carrying out web sweeps to see how information is displayed – including an impending random sweep of 500 firms. Could your firm be one of them?

The SRA will also be speaking with firms to see how they are adapting to the changes, as well as engaging with consumers to raise awareness of what they should now expect to see on a firm’s website. This extends to following up on any consumer complaints and discussing with the relevant firm where they might need to make some improvements.  

The SRA will also be finalising their new Digital Register, expected to be launched in late November in line with the official deadline, bringing firm information together into one consumer-friendly place, where they will be able to validate their choices. Richard noted that this will not be a price comparison tool.  

Why were the transparency rules created?

The transparency rules were created to give the general public better access to legal services and information, after a survey of over 5,000 people revealed that only 15% were able to find the price information they needed.

The new rules were also driven by research into consumer behaviour and a growing appetite to shop around for legal services, as it was found that 71% of people spend more than an hour researching their options and 66% consider more than one provider.

Why is lack of information such a big issue to address? 

In the absence of pricing information, individuals assume that legal services are unaffordable – with a perception that they are 25% more expensive than they actually are. It’s a serious barrier to people getting the legal help they need and can also have a knock-on effect on the volume of work coming into the industry. Fortunately, the new rules are already bringing positive change.

Where can I find more information?

If you would like to find out more about being compliant with the new rules, you can watch Richard Williams’ presentation – recorded live at LegalEx – on the SRA YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLOxK9B_lYY 

More information and guidance can also be found on the dedicated ‘transparency’ section of the SRA website: https://sra.org.uk/transparency/ 

Terrafirma have updated their CON29M with several new features to offer a new level of due diligence and efficiency, as they continue to change the way in which property professionals across the UK approach coal mining activity.

Available now on tmconvey, the updates include: 

• The inclusion of the UserKey, as currently used in Terrafirma’s Ground Report. The UserKey clearly highlights who within the transaction needs to take action to make it easier for the conveyancer to know what information needs to be reported to which party. 

• Addition of a new ‘At a Glance’ expert opinion

• Loss of value insurance has increased to £100,000 – covering any subsequent changes in Coal Authority data.

• Upfront inclusion of the mine entry interpretive report. Terrafirma have used new data technologies to apply a new risk model to each of the 173,000 recorded coal mine entries, analysing the zone of influence and the potential impact of a shaft on the use and value of a Site, at no extra cost. This enhancement brings a number of benefits for the conveyancer, purchaser and lender alike.

Terrafirma CEO Tom Backhouse comments:

‘Terrafirma have worked tirelessly for nearly five years to change the way in which property professionals view ground risk. It has always been our ambition to better support due diligence in former mining areas and to more effectively cover and advise both solicitors and their clients. After extensive market research and a monumental effort from our team of experts, we are exceptionally proud to present this new and enhanced official CON29M.’

Want to find out more?

You can see a sample report here. 

You can also register for these free webinars from Terrafirma. 

Mine Entries - time to lose the 20m buffer

Tuesday 9th April 2019 : 11am – 11.30am

Click here to register

Navigating the professional opinion minefield

Tuesday 16th April 2019 : 11am – 11.30am

Click here to register

If you have any questions or queries, please contact your Account Manager, or get in touch with our friendly Helpdesk team on 0800 840 5571 or email helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk 

We’re adding a new listed buildings data layer to tmconvey. 

Available from 5th April 2019, you’ll soon be able to give property developer clients much-needed context about their intended renovation projects – without needing to visit multiple websites. 

As with our recently added highways information, you’ll be able to turn on the data layer and see listed buildings overlaid on your existing map –  for Grade 1, Grade 2* and Grade 2 across England. As of 2nd May, this will be extended to listed buildings in Scotland and Wales too.

You can then find out more about a listed building of interest by clicking on it to generate a pop-up, which will give you the address and the grade, as well as provide a hyperlink that will take you direct to the relevant page on Historic England. This will enable you to read further information about the restrictions in place, if you wish. 

How do I turn on this new data layer?

If you would like to turn on this new data layer, your TM administrator will need to update your company preference by following the below steps:

1. Go to ‘System settings’ on the tmconvey Services Dashboard

2. Select ‘System defaults’

3. Select ‘View’

4. Select ‘Mapping defaults’ 

5. If you scroll down, you will see a new section called ‘Map Data Layers’ – and various options to choose from including the new ‘listed buildings’.  

6. Once you have settled on your choice, click ‘Save’.

What other changes have we made to our mapping?

The addition of ‘listed buildings’ data is the latest in a series of mapping enhancements. 

Here’s a quick summary of the last few months, just in case you missed anything.

Highways data added to tmconvey mapping 

NEW Map Data Layers section gives conveyancing teams even more control over their visible data layers

NEW realistic colour scheme creates clearer mapping boundaries

Map Search data now includes CCOD and OCOD

Exciting news… Even more Map Search updates to save you even more time!

Map Search enhancements make even more time for you

Stay tuned for more updates COMING SOON!

If you have any questions or queries, please contact your Account Manager, or get in touch with our friendly Helpdesk team on 0800 840 5571 or email helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk 

John Madge at Cox & Hodgetts Solicitors explains how switching to tmconvey’s Post-Completion services has helped him to speed up SDLT submission in his firm by 2 weeks. 

“It used to take at least a fortnight for any SDLT5 forms to be returned.”

“Before using tmconvey’s Post-Completion services, my firm relied on posting paper SDLT submission forms to HMRC – and I would typically be waiting weeks for my SDLT5 forms to be returned. Even the quickest turnarounds were at least a fortnight. 

This put pressure on my AP1 submission times and put them at risk of cancellation. Not only that, but occasionally forms would go astray, and I would have to waste time making chasing calls – and sometimes even start from scratch if they went missing completely. 

I also once had a case where I had to appeal the penalty for a late submission, by confirming the dates of cheques sent and cashed. The situation was exacerbated by the fact that HMRC had also been in touch with my client directly with a penalty notice, so I also had to mitigate the reputational damage with my clients with additional phone calls and evidence of payment.”

“It’s so much quicker to fill in the SDLT forms online – and we get our SDLT5 back within seconds.”

“I’ve been using tmconvey’s Post-Completion services since October 2018, and find it so much quicker than paper submission – especially as my SDLT5 forms are returned in seconds. 

I also find it easier to fill the SDLT forms in online, as not only is there no chance of it going missing in the post, there’s also less risk of information getting lost in translation and misspelt on any returned SDLT5 forms.” 

“Even the most complicated scenarios are simple to process with intelligent, online forms”

“I always used to hate complicated scenarios when it came to filling out the SDLT form, such as a freehold property with a separate leasehold garage under a different title, as I would never be 100% sure of the sections I should fill out or whether the form would be sent back to me with additional queries. 

However, as tmconvey’s online forms only present the fields I need to complete, it’s simple to fill out and get it right first time, so I can get the results returned just as quickly as any other submission I’m working on. 

The interactive forms and automated error checking also help to make sure I don’t miss off any information. For example, if my client hasn’t sent across their National Insurance number, it’s obvious this information is missing from the form – and I’m reminded to add it before I click submit.”

Want to find out how tmconvey’s Post-Completion services can help to save your team time when submitting SDLT forms?

Take a look at tmconvey’s Post-Completion services, or request a FREE demo of tmconvey’s Post-Completion services.

The latest LPM Legal IT Landscapes Report has revealed that firms are feeling increasingly threatened by legal technology-based new businesses and are keen to adopt new technologies to set themselves apart from the competition – yet many are equally concerned that their firms simply aren’t allocating enough budget to keep up. 

Sponsored by tmgroup, along with a handful of other key players in the legal services and technology sector, the LPM Legal IT Landscapes Report 2019 shows that just 6% of the average firm’s revenue is invested in technology, and of that only 12% is spent on new things like creating client-facing systems – equating to approximately 0.5% of revenue. 

Emma Vigus, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of tmgroup comments: 

“Respondents acknowledge the threat posed by new entrants to the legal sector who focus on service delivery via technology – and the data demonstrates that law firms recognise the potential in technology-driven innovation. But with the budget allocated to the development of non-BAU technology at under 0.5%, firms are not investing in combating the competitive pressure.”

Legal technology-based new businesses pose one of the biggest threats

With such minimal investment, it is hardly surprising that 52% of firms do not believe they devote enough to new or non-business as usual technology. No doubt, this is exacerbated by the perceived threats in the market including; ‘Legal technology-based new businesses’ – concerning 18% of respondents – and ‘firms just like mine already in our geographies’ (15%). Both of which highlight that firms are becoming increasingly aware of the need to set themselves apart from the competition in order to succeed. 

Simon Elven, Commercial and Marketing Director at Tikit comments:

“What is starting to occur is a growing realisation across mid-market firms that these things are not only desirable but inevitable and that any long-term plans must take these into account.”

Client portals, CMS and AI all pinpointed as key game-changers for efficiency

According to the report findings, technologies expected to bring the best combination of competitiveness and efficiency to law firms are client portals, Case Management Systems (CMS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Firms investing in these technologies are already benefiting from increased efficiency and being able to deliver an enhanced customer journey, whilst those who aren’t should explore which technologies will give them the best return – even with just a slight increase in their technology budget. 

Eddie Harrison, Head of Business Optimisation at Lowell Solicitors comments:

“SME law firms should get out there and take calculated risks to bring about process changes and efficiencies. Even the smallest of gains can have a huge impact when scaled up, especially when relieving staff of some rather boring and repetitive tasks.”

Improving the customer experience should be at the heart of any investment 

One of the most resonating statements observations in the LPM Legal IT Landscapes Report is that “The market is maturing in a way that means SME firms will have to differentiate, innovate and improve their services to remain successful.”

With limited resources at their disposal, this is certainly a challenge, but there is a simple way to separate the wheat from the chaff – simply by asking “will this improve the customer experience?” This will help to make sure that any investment is giving firms a much-needed competitive edge – and not going to waste. As Julia Warrilow, Finance and Operations Director at Thursfields confirms; “It’s ultimately about what adds value to the client experience.” 

It’s also about understanding the technology investment that is both plausibly affordable for each firm AND has the potential to move the dial on revenue. For example, automating repetitive and mundane tasks can free solicitors up to spend more time on informed decisions and delivering a better overall customer experience; resulting in up and cross sell opportunities, repeat business and referrals.

This is where LPM’s ‘competitiveness v efficiency’ chart can really help to narrow down the search, with technologies such as client portals ranking highly. Available through conveyancing platforms such as tmconnect, client portals can make a real difference to the customer experience – from empowering clients to keep an eye on progress and communicate securely with their solicitor, as well as receive online forms and complete tasks. 

With so much to be gained, is it time firms started asking themselves if they are truly placing their customers at the heart of their investment decisions? 

The LPM Legal IT Landscapes Report 2019 is an annual snapshot of law firms' changing technology priorities – published on Friday 8th February 2019. 

You can find out more about the Legal IT Landscapes report here and read a full PDF version of the report here.

First Title are adding new insurance provisions to their Residential Title Insurance - available from Friday 1st February.

Each of these can only be selected on its own as a standalone policy. They should not be selected alongside other risks as part of a multi-risk quote.

There are 4 new risks:

• Contaminated Land 15 Years - Failed Search (for single residential premises)

• Contaminated Land 15 Years - No Search (for single residential premises)

• Contingent Building Insurance (for a single residential flat or maisonette)

• Environmental No Search (for single residential premises)

If you have any questions or queries, please contact your Account Manager, or get in touch with our friendly Helpdesk team on 0800 840 5571 or email helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk 

Following on from the addition of the ‘Groundsure Review’ report to tmconvey, we thought you’d like to know that ‘Groundsure Review with Planning Applications’ is now also available to order.

Designed in conjunction with a panel of Property Lawyers, Review offers pragmatic and commercially focused expert insight, deal orientated recommendations and guidance on next steps for high value property transactions, complex industrial sites and redevelopments.

Moving forward, you’ll be able to choose between ‘Groundsure Review’ or ‘Groundsure Review with Planning Applications’ – at no extra cost. Both reports review an extensive list of risks, including ground stability, planning constraints, contaminated land, and flood. The only difference is the addition of planning application information in ‘Groundsure Review with Planning Applications’.

We’ve included a handy comparison table below. 

If you have any questions or queries, please contact your Account Manager, or get in touch with our friendly Helpdesk team on 0800 840 5571 or email helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk 

Just to make you aware, Groundsure are making a handful of changes to their product suite, taking effect on tmconvey from Monday 11th February. 

You can find a quick summary of the changes here – and more information below. 

Summary

• New Reports; 

o Energy and Transportation 

o Groundsure Con29M

• Enhanced Reports;

o Homebuyers

• Updated; 

o Terms and Conditions

• Withdrawn Reports;

o 7 energy and rail infrastructure data reports 

o Homebuyers Plus 

Additional information

NEW REPORT : Energy and Transportation Report

Individual energy and rail infrastructure data reports being withdrawn

The new ‘Energy and Transportation’ risk report combines all of Groundsure’s energy and rail infrastructure data into one place, including;

• Major transport projects (HS2, Crossrail 1 and 2)

• Safeguarding areas

• Compensation schemes

• Active and historic railways and tunnels

• Existing and proposed energy generation or extraction sites 

Report costs

Residential : £30 + VAT

Commercial For sites <150ha : £60 + VAT

As such, the following residential and commercial reports are being withdrawn;

• Energy Residential Report (GSEnergyR)

• Energy Commercial Report (GSEnergyC)

• Underground Residential Report (GSUnderR)

• Underground Commercial Report (GSUnderC)

• Energy and HS2 report residential (GSEIR)

• Energy and HS2 report commercial (GSEIC)

• HS2 and Crossrail report (GSHS2)

ENHANCED REPORT : Homebuyers

Homebuyers Plus report being withdrawn 

The ‘Homebuyers’ report is being enhanced with all of the additional information currently only available in ‘Homebuyers Plus’, including; 

• Flood risk assessment

• Use of Land Registry polygons

• Improved format and workflow 

• Only relevant data (and fewer pages)

• Clear and practical next steps 

In support of these enhancements, the original ‘Homebuyers Plus’ is being withdrawn and will no longer be available to order on tmconvey. 

How much will it cost?

The enhanced Homebuyers report will be available for £51 +VAT.

UPDATED : Terms and Conditions

Groundsure are making a slight amendment to their Terms and Conditions

This “update” is a single change to the following paragraph (5.5) :

5.5 The Client shall promptly provide to Groundsure full details of any claim or complaint received by the Client concerning a Product (a “Claim”). The Client shall not incur any third party costs in relation to a Claim nor make any admission in respect of a Claim on behalf of Groundsure without the prior written consent of Groundsure.  At the request of Groundsure, the Client shall give to Groundsure or its nominee the exclusive control of such Claim.  The Client will (i) consider and consult with Groundsure in respect of any Claim; (ii)  take reasonable account of Groundsure’s representations in respect of any Claim; (iii)  so far as practicable, not make any settlement in respect of a Claim on terms which would have an unreasonable adverse impact on Groundsure’s reputation; (iv) not make any admission in respect of a Claim on behalf of Groundsure without the prior written consent of Groundsure.  For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Condition 5.5 applies to any content, services or report that is not provided by Groundsure to the Client.

NEW REPORT : Groundsure Con29M

An official CON29M coal mining report – licensed by the Law Society

The Groundsure CON29M Official Coal Mining Search answers all of the official questions requested in the Law Society guidance notes 2018, and has additional information should the property fall under the Cheshire Brine Compensation area. The report includes official licensed Coal Authority data, and a comprehensive Coal Search Report Insurance Policy.

Report costs

Residential <15ha : £33 + VAT

Commercial <15ha : £80 + VAT/ 15-50ha : £170 + VAT

If you have any questions or queries, please contact your Account Manager, or get in touch with our friendly Helpdesk team on 0800 840 5571 or email helpdesk@tmgroup.co.uk