Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common?

You may think there is only one way of owning a property, but as Stephens Scown’s Alison Nicholls explains, there are two distinctly different legal forms of ownership…. Admittedly it’s not something that people give very much thought to, but …

Read more...

COMMENT

Lenders Panels

Is your Solicitor & Lender compatible?  Does the property have a garden? When purchasing a property the compatibility of your Solicitor and chosen mortgage provider is almost as important as determining the credentials of the property you are buying. You …

Read more...

COMMENT

In thoughts and deeds: sharing assets between unmarried partners

A recent Supreme Court Case has brought a common misconception to light. There is no such thing as ‘common law marriage’ Stephen Scown’s Jo Stone reports. “What were they thinking of?” That’s the question the Supreme Court Judges asked about …

Read more...

COMMENT

Residential property team gets quality seal of approval

Stephens Scown LLP’s residential property team has received the Law Society’s seal of approval under its Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), it has been announced. The accreditation is only given to a handful of legal firms in Devon and Cornwall who …

Read more...

COMMENT

Assistance for Apartment Owners in Pursuing Damages for Building Defects

As the trend for living in town and city centres gathered pace during the course of the last two decades, there has been an explosion in the development of small, medium and large blocks of apartments as new build projects.  …

Read more...

COMMENT

Lawyer wins outstanding contribution award

Alison Nichollls, based in our St Austell Office, has picked up a top accolade at the Cornwall Law Society’s annual awards. Alison is a partner and residential property team leader, received the Outstanding Contribution Award for 2011 at a prestigious dinner on …

Read more...

COMMENT

Stephens Scown retains leading firm status in Legal 500

Stephens Scown has retained its position as a leading law firm in the South West with the publication of the annual guide to the legal profession – the Legal 500. The firm, which has offices in Exeter, Truro and St …

Read more...

COMMENT

Law Society issues warning to parents assisting in property purchases

The Law Society has warned parents to take professional advice from a solicitor before providing their children with substantial deposits to help their children onto the property ladder. With deposits at around the 25% mark, more young consumers are forced …

Read more...

COMMENT

New Model Leases for Shared Ownership Homes

The Home and Community Agency (“HCA”) has published new model leases which are to be used after 6th April 2010. Although the form of lease is discretionary, there are some fundamental clauses within it which are mandatory. The mandatory elements …

Read more...

COMMENT

Consultation on Draft Guidance for Local Authorities to encourage landowners to provide land for Affordable Homes

Responses to a consultation on draft guidance for local authorities to encourage landowners to provide land for affordable homes are required by 18 February 2010. This will be of major interest to providers of social housing and in particular housing …

Read more...

COMMENT