The By Lawyers Sale and Purchase of Business guides have been reviewed and updated to ensure that the commentaries and precedents are in line with current law and conveyancing practice. As with all our guides, they take a practical approach, drawing on our authors’ considerable experience to cover all aspects of procedure, with a focus on practical tips that will help solicitors and conveyancers confidently run a sale or business purchase matter to completion. We invite you to explore this updated publication and to consider the wealth of assistance the guide offers for solicitors and conveyancers acting in the sale or purchase of a business.

By Lawyers have just released a Staff Office Procedures Manual which comprehensively covers a wide range of issues that arise in running legal practices. Useful for all firms, whether start-up, breakaway or well established, we have tailored the manual to help firms run their office day to day. With an emphasis on training and compliance this is an ideal way to ensure that everyone is aware of office policies. Areas which are covered include: Recruitment and induction policies Working procedures such as hours of work, dress code, a code of conduct and training policy Health and Safety Equality and Diversity Internet, email and mobile phone policy Staff leave including for jury service Drugs and Alcohol Bullying and harassment Whistleblowing Disciplinary procedures Conflicts of interest, confidentiality and intellectual property rights Security and cyber-security Guidance on a whole range of other office procedures from anti-money laundering to undertakings Firms can seamlessly implement these office procedures as their own with a view to later development and enhancement or use them as the basis for refreshing and enhancing existing procedures already in place.

The By Lawyers Residential Lease commentary has been updated to reflect changes to capital gains tax payment deadlines. A short note regarding income tax has also been added.

The By Lawyers Purchase of Land Guide has been reviewed and updated to ensure that the commentaries and precedents are in line with current law and conveyancing practice. The extensive review was performed by our author Marcella King. As with all our authors, Marcella takes a practical approach, drawing on her considerable experience to cover all aspects of procedure, with a focus on practical tips that will help solicitors and conveyancers confidently run a purchase matter to completion. The commentary has been expanded: Undertakings are explained in more detail. The unregistered land section has been improved. Adverse possession claims and procedures are discussed in greater detail. A new section on finance and funding draws together all the financial aspects of the transaction, including mortgages, taxes and help to buy funding. Issues surrounding short term lets, for example Airbnb, are discussed. The section about pre-exchange searches has been expanded. The process by which contracts are exchanged has been amplified, including a worked example of using Formula C. Post-completion tasks are discussed in greater detail. The retainer instructions have been updated. The to do list has been updated. The summary of the conveyancing process has been updated. The matter plan now includes new precedents: New and amended possible enquiries, including a set specifically for new build properties. A letter sending the help to buy ISA declaration to clients, and a link to the declaration itself. An access undertaking for use when buyers would like access to the property between exchange and completion. We invite you to explore this updated publication and to consider the wealth of assistance the guide offers for solicitors and conveyancers acting in residential purchase matters.

With the threat and uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus many practitioners will be asked to prepare documents that assist clients to manage their affairs should the need arise. By Lawyers commentary and precedents for Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advance Decisions (Living Wills) are available online to assist practitioners in responding to these requests. Read more...

A new precedent Deed of Substituted Security has been added to the By Lawyers Mortgages Guide. This precedent can be adapted to suit most circumstances where a lender hasn’t supplied their own. This precedent can be found in folder G. If required - Discharge, assignment and variation.

The SRA changes coming in on the 25th November has seen the By Lawyers Practice Management manual updated. New information and precedents have been included as well as existing policies updated. Please note the many client care and terms of business precedents have also been updated.

Two new precedents have been incorporated into the expansive Sale and Purchase of Business publication. Read more...

The Land Registry hopes to release its digital mortgage service in public beta this year. In a recent news update, the Registry’s digital services manager Eddie Davies said that ‘the department is continuing to work with Coventry and Enact on the next phases of the service as well as also working with lenders to get their mortgage deeds approved and templates created. So far, the Registry has approved several deeds from lenders in the remortgage market including Nationwide, HSBC, RBS, NatWest and Santander. ‘Since opening the service to more lenders and conveyancers we have seen an increase in the number of digital mortgages registered showing an appetite in the market to use new technology. Some lenders have started offering online mortgage applications and our service helps to bring the industry one step closer to an end-to-end digital process.’

By Lawyers have amended the Partnership Agreement and the Limited Partnership Agreement precedents to include a new clause for the distribution of profits. Other amendments have also been made. Read more...

Pets are family members, and if a relationship breaks down, arrangements need to be agreed and understood.

The By Lawyers Franchises guide has been comprehensively reviewed to reflect current best practice, legal developments and the British Franchise Association Code of Ethics.

The review delivers improvements to content and usability, supporting practitioners with practical and up-to-date guidance and precedents in this important area of law.

Following a subscriber request, we have published a new Scope of work – Deferred payment scheme. Read more…

The Court of Appeal decision reminds judges to consider the sentencing guidelines for minors.