MARKET: 41% of instructions come direct from existing clients


As the government rolled out home information packs (HIPs) to cover three-bedroom properties this week, an online Law Society poll showed that 60% of conveyancers have prepared at least one new pack, almost half of whom did so in-house.



The survey, which received 416 responses, revealed that 41% of HIP instructions came directly from existing clients, which, said Law Society Vice-President Paul Marsh, was very encouraging and showed solicitors were still the first port of contact for many.



'The key message is that everything is up for grabs and solicitors need to get out there and make sure they're the primary source for HIPs,' he said.



Rob Hailstone, chief executive at pack provider HIPAG, said the extension would lead to an increase in volume and rise in the number of leasehold properties, which are more complicated to deal with, coming on to the market, and would present an opportunity for solicitors to take the initiative.



Meanwhile, the Land Registry's annual report revealed last week that claims pending as a result of errors or omissions on the register of title, including errors due to fraud or forgery, remained high. It is projected at more than £7 million for 2007.



Denis Cameron, former chairman of the Law Society's conveyancing and land law committee, said the increase could be linked to the opening up of the register in 2003 and increased e-conveyancing. 'There's clearly a problem - it's a lot to be shelling out when they could do more to prevent it.'



A Land Registry spokeswoman said there were a number of factors to be considered, including the increase in number of registered titles and the rise in property values, which increased the degree and exposure to risk.



Catherine Baksi