Member Article

North East law firm benefit from housing upturn

North East law firm BHP Law have reported a doubling of residential conveyancing over the last 12 months, as the housing market begins to pick up.

The firm, who operate offices in Newcastle, Durham, Darlington and Stockton, say they getting more work from national lenders on a local and national scale.

Partner and head of conveyancing at BHP Law Sally Hare dismissed claims that a housing recovery was artificially inflated by government schemes such as Help to Buy.

She said: “I don’t think government initiatives are in themselves growing the market, but they are growing confidence and that is leading to encouraging movement.

“There is a definite feeling that the market is moving. It is growing both regionally and nationally and as a result we have been approached by new lenders and agents while at the same time continuing to develop our existing relationships as well.”

The firm is one of the few in the region to be benefiting from so-called panel referrals from banking groups and brokers, who are generating demand for its residential conveyancing services from all over the UK.

Sally added: “It’s been a huge boost, not least because we were approached after being recommended by clients. We went through a rigorous diligence process and continue to receive very positive feedback from our clients.

“Many conveyancing transactions are now carried out electronically and it is straightforward for us to handle property matters for clients anywhere in the country.”

The increase in transactions has led directly to new jobs. The team currently has nine solicitors and licensed coveyancers backed by 12 support staff, and additional appointments are likely this year.

Sally added: “It’s very positive news for BHP Law and the region as we are putting the North East on the map for professional conveyancing services.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .