Record numbers attend 2014 Conference

20^th November 2014

The SLC Conference held in association with the Bold Legal Group in Derby on 12th November attracted a record number of delegates. The event which goes from strength to strength had a packed agenda which covered a wide range of topics from impending regulation to practical day to day issues for conveyancers.

Baroness Dianne Hayter informed the Conference that the Consumer Rights Bill 2013‐14 to 2014‐15 would introduce new obligations on lawyers. The Bill which uses the word ‘traders’, as an all embracing term for any business serving consumers is expected to become law in February 2015 and take effect in October 2015.

The delegates also heard about new requirements in respect of mortgage offers from Paul Broadhead, Head of Mortgage Policy at the Building Societies Association. The Implementation of the Mortgage Credit Directive and the new regime for second charge mortgages could make the conveyancing process more cumbersome than it is now.

The continuing theme of change continued with a presentation on the introduction of Veyo in 2015 nd a lively exchange with delegates followed. In particular the issue of how Veyo will interact with existing case management systems was raised by a number of people.

Rob Hailstone of the Bold Legal Group and Mike Ockenden for the SLC then spoke of the need for the profession to start a process of engagement with stakeholders to shape the future destiny of conveyancing. This process has already started with the mortgage lending community and their representative bodies the CML and BSA.

With very informative presentations on legal compliance, money laundering and SDLT there was also much of practical importance covered for the big audience present. In addition Sheila Kumar from the CLC provided a unique insight of the profession form the regulators perspective.

Simon Law, the Chairman of SLC said ‘the annual conference simply gets better and better each year and the record attendance reflects that it is now the ‘go to’ event for conveyancers. The range of topics covered and the interactive nature of the event make it unique, reflecting that it is a conference for
conveyancers organised by conveyancers.’

The date for the Conference next year has already been set as 18th November 2015 at the Riverside Centre in Derby and with the dinner being held the evening before on 17th November at the Hallmark Hotel. Bookings can be made by e‐mailing ania@conveyancers.org.uk or calling 08714 237193. The first 50
delegates to book will be entered into a draw for a magnum of champagne (and congratulations to Sharon Plane who won the 2014 prize!).

And the great news ‐ Paul Lewis confirmed to be the host again in 2015!