November 2016 Newsletter

Better communications with clients

An independent research project has recommended eight key principles for preparing effective Client Care Letters. They are:

1. Show a clear purpose
2. Keep it concise
3. Put it in plain English
4. Prioritise information
5. Personalise information
6. Make it easy to read
7. Highlight key information
8. Consider additional opportunities to engage clients

There’s lots of interesting insight and more detailed recommendations in the report which we commissioned together with other legal services regulators.  We will be using the findings as we review the CLC’s Handbook and guidance over the next year.

Read the report

Tackling fraud and cybercrime

We’ve added a helpful webinar recorded by the Information Commissioner in October to our webpage on fraud and cybercrime.  It focuses on current cyber security trends and issues, such as ransomware and phishing, some of the biggest cases the ICO has been involved in, and what firms can do to improve cyber security within their organisation.

Watch the webinar

Fraud: Breach of Trust and Breach of Warranty of Authority – implications for conveyancers

Register now for our webinar on 6th December

Jacqui Gillespie, Partner at Plexus Law, and Simon Hale, Barrister at 4 New Square, will be looking at key lessons for conveyancers from recent cases.

• Review of the rulings in Purrunsing and P&P: why were the outcomes different?
• Summary of key points from a) the Buyer’s perspective b) the Seller’s perspective
• Warning signs and enhanced due diligence: what does it mean in practice? How can I avoid becoming entangled in fraudulent transactions?
• The exchange of sale information: questions to ask and assurances to seek – and how to proceed if you do or do not get them.
• Third parties: estate agents, introducers, etc. what questions should I ask, and what evidence should I see?
• How to build a file that will help you get relief from breach of trust.
• The future: the appeal against P&P, and the need for further guidance.

Register now

CLC Managers – Save the date

On Wednesday 25^th January 2017 we will be holding a conference for CLC Manager Licence Holders. Look out for the email invitations shortly. The conference will be held at the CLC’s offices in London.

Suspicious Activity Reports

The National Crime Agency has a very helpful webpage on How to Report SARs.  It includes some new guidance that has been updated since changes to SAR reporting were brought in over the summer.

How to report SARs

Property and Law Round Up

Read the latest summary of key data and news for the CLC regulated community

Thank you

Thanks to everyone for completing licence renewal applications promptly.  91% of respondents to our follow-up survey said that they found the online licence renewal system ‘very easy’ to use and overall, 86% of you rated your experience of licence renewal this year as ‘very good’.

Respondents also passed on some useful comments and we will use those to guide further improvements to the process for 2017.