Paul Hajek, Clutton Cox solicitors

Conveyancing Defects in Title: What Do They Look Like?

You may have happily proceeded through your Conveyancing life without the sniff of anything remotely like a defect in the title to the house you are buying or selling. Conveyancing Solicitors define a defect in title as not just as a problem with the l... Read >

A Guide through the Conveyancing Process

Conveyancing is an oft discussed topic, one which affects everyday lives of people who wish to move home. But could you describe Conveyancing? It is a bit like describing an elephant to someone who has never seen one before, it is easier once you ha... Read >

The End of HIPs:Where Are We Now?

Cast your minds back to 1996 BC ( Before Coalition) and a singular Labour MP got mightily angry about being gazumped on a property because of the delay in achieving an early exchange of contracts. His solution: more information available about the prop... Read >

Chancel Repair Liability: You Just Can't Enough Of It

Some of you may have read my previous posts on Chancel Repair Liability, Chancel Repair Liability Updated and King Henry VIII's Conveyancing legacy. I have been amazed at the interest generated which range from Chancel Repair Liability Insurers to the ... Read >

Will Writers: They Are All Solicitors, Right?

Research commissioned on behalf of the Fellowship of Professional Will Writers and Probate Practitioners and published recently shows an alarming 67% of consumers think that all Will Writers are Solicitors. They emphatically are not. Even more worrying... Read >

Choosing a Conveyancing Solicitor: 10 Important Steps before you decide!

Choosing your Conveyancing Solicitor when you move home is a daunting task. Moving home can be a stressful time. But who will be right for you. Here are ten steps to choosing your Conveyancing Solicitor. 1. Listen to friends and family who have been m... Read >

We Did Not Make a Will; A Massive Mistake, a Massive Mistake.

"We did not make a Will. A massive mistake, a massive mistake" were the words used by a young widow on the BBC's One Show recently. The show recounted the circumstances where her fit and athletic husband died whilst playing football at the age of 41, l... Read >

Twist Stick or Bust? How to Deal in the Housing Market, Autumn/Winter 2009

This is the third in my series on the prospects for the Housing Market in England and Wales in 2009. Now is the time to reflect and predict what will happen over the next few months. The Good News: Reassuringly, the doomsday scenarios of further ... Read >

Chancel Repair Liability: 21 Things You Need to Know And Then Mostly Forget

Chancel Repair liability is an ancient medieval law which could still affect your Conveyancing transaction when you buy a property in England and Wales. Here is a run down of 21 questions on the common instances and practicalities of Chancel Repair Lia... Read >

Setting up Home with Tom, Dick or Harriet: Don't Forget Will!

At least one third of people who die in England and Wales fail to make adequate provision for the division of their assets. Put simply they fail to make a Will. it is estimated that four out of five couples who live together and are not married or in a... Read >

New Mortgage Proposals: More Common Sense Required, Not More Regulation!

The news that the Financial Services Authority has issued its plans to repair the barn doors of the mortgage industry has received a mixed response. Leaving aside obvious jibes about more points scoring than credit scoring, there is at least a return t... Read >

King Henry VIII and Chancel Repair Liability: His Conveyancing Legacy.

A legal Conveyancing nightmare was finally over this week, for a couple forced to auction their home to pay for repairs to their local church, for which they were responsible under an arcane law known as Chancel Repair liability. The Wallbanks sold the... Read >

Inheritance Tax: Hold Your Breath!

The payment on death of Inheritance Tax has undergone significant changes in the last couple of years. Interestingly, Inheritance Tax becomes one of the main focuses of attention in Party Conference season. The Conservatives stole a march on the Gov... Read >