The Law Society has today announced that it has worked with the property and conveyancing industry through the Home Buying and Selling Group (HBSG) to produce a uniform industry pledge that buyers and sellers can use in this unusual market.
The Home Buying and Selling Pledge indicates some of the tasks buyers and sellers can perform early in the process, which can assist in progressing transactions more effectively. Read more…
On 20th September 2020, we saw an end to the stay of possession proceedings for tenants and owner occupiers with a mortgage. In March, the Government put an automatic stay on all possession claims filed in the court and ordered that case management directions could only be given if both parties agreed.
Homeowners still have until 31st October 2020 before mortgage lenders can again continue or start possession claims.
Gilbert Stephens Solicitors are delighted to be sponsoring the 2021 Exeter Dementia Action Alliance (EDAA) calendar which will be taking pride of place in all our offices next year.
As longstanding members of the EDAA, we work with the group to raise awareness of dementia and help transform Exeter into a dementia-friendly city. Read more…
Tenants in England facing eviction have been granted a Section 21 notice period extension from three months to six in new government legislation.
This will apply to notices being served to both private and social tenancies from 29 August and until March 2021. Read more…
Earlier this month, we witnessed the UK officially enter a recession for the first time since 2009. Certain sectors such as the services, retail and hospitality have been hit harder than others, but how is the housing market holding up?
House prices are usually forecasted to plummet during a recession, yet in the past couple of months there has been a steep rise in property sales. Read more…
The five-month ban placed on all housing evictions in March has led to an anticipated surge in the number of possession proceedings expected to take place from 20th September.
To cope with the heavy backlog of cases, a temporary amendment has been made to the Civil Procedure Rules 1998 which alters the usual process for possession proceedings. These changes will be introduced on 23rd August 2020 and will remain in place until 28th March 2021. Read more…
HM Land Registry recently confirmed that it will now be accepting witnessed electronic signatures for transfers of property ownership, leases, mortgages, and other property-related dealings.
Together with the recent addition of cryptographic and biometric identity checks, the news means that the entire conveyancing process can now be conducted electronically. This couldn’t come at a better time with many conveyancers and property professionals still working from home. Read more…
Gilbert Stephens Solicitors were pleased to sponsor the drive-in cinema screenings of the iconic musicals, Grease and Rocketman, on Friday 24th and Friday 31st July. Both screenings took place at the Okehampton Show Grounds where people gathered to enjoy the film from the comfort of their own vehicles.
On arrival, guests were pleased to be handed one of our green cotton bags, with a Gilbert Stephens pen and notepad inside. Read more…
The Government has announced that Cloud Video Platform (CVP) technology will be rolled out across all civil and family courts, following its successful launch in many Crown and Magistrates courts across the UK.
The implementation of CVP forms a part of the HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) recovery plan which encourages justice to be delivered as usual throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Read more…
Gilbert Stephens Solicitors are very pleased to welcome Kim McDonald, Partner, back from maternity leave.
Kim is a Partner in our Litigation Department and as well as dealing with general civil litigation matters has a particular interest in all aspects of employment law, acting for both applicants and respondents in Employment Tribunals. Kim advises employers and employees and regularly provides her expertise in relation to grievances, disciplinary matters, the redundancy process, and settlement agreements. Read more…
