Transparency countdown: do’s and don’ts

5 December, 2018

As new requirements for property and probate lawyers to publish certain price, service and quality information on their websites (or in alternative formats if requested), come into effect December 6, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has outlined some key do’s and don’ts for practices getting ready for the new rules.

DO

• You must display ‘Cost Information’ in a prominent place on your website.
• You must display ‘Service Information’ on your website.
  • You can include the national average timescales of transactions to fulfil the requirement of ‘indicative timescales’.
  • You may wish to include reviews or links to third party feedback platforms on your website.
• You must display regulatory information on your website.
  • This includes displaying the CLC secure badge in a prominent place.
• You must display details of the complaints process including access to the Legal Ombudsman and redress information on your website

DON’T 

• You do not have to use a cost estimate generator to be compliant. Publish prices in a way that works best for you and your clients.
• You do not have to list your entire fee scale but you should provide examples of your fees that cover a broad range of services and transaction types.
• You do not have to disclose specific details of referral arrangements on your website, but you must say if you enter into such agreements and the average fee, or range of fees, you pay.

The new rules are part of a cross-industry push to empower consumers and foster innovation and competition across the legal services market.

You can see the new rules which come into effect on Thursday 6 December, along with guidance and templates here: https://www.clc-uk.org/lawyers/informed-choice/

ENDS