Q1 2019

SME NEWS / Q1 2019 21 , Mar19145 The landscape of Scottish property law is changing at a furious pace bringing challenges for those dealingwith property; buyers, sellers and lending institutions.We profile the firmto find out how they are adapting to those changes and how it came to be awarded one of our Prestigious legal awards in 2019. McVey and Murricane outline the three factors that have driven the change in property law. Firstly, there remains a hangover from the financial crash of 2008 which effectively reduced the supply of both existing and new houses on the market. Secondly, there has been an exponential increase in regulation which enormously impacts the average transaction. Finally, Scotland has been subject to a fundamental change in the registration system which has increased the complexity and cost of transactions. Size matters Conveyancing and property law really is a specialist area in 2019 where size and resources matter. McVey and Murricane are routinely placed in the top three legal firms in the transactions league table maintained by the Registers of Scotland. Allan Radlow, Senior Partner, picks up the story, “McVey and Murricane are 60 years old next year though I think that my original senior partners (I joined the firm in 1980) would not recognise the high-tech organisation that the firm is nowadays.” Indeed, a new generation of practitioners epitomise the firm and its dominant position within the market. “Property work no McVey and Murricane Solicitors: SME News’ Best Conveyancing Practice – 2019 – Scotland & Excellence Award in Wills & Estate Planning - Scotland longer belongs in the dusty offices of the past typified by paper files piled in the corner and a solicitor with a secretary” comments Donna Carson who is Head of Commercial work at McVey and Murricane and has been with the firm (both as paralegal and then solicitor) since she graduated 17 years ago, “the electronic world means that legal transactions occur in real time which means that a different skillset is required.” Creating the future That changed skillset appears throughout the firm as it not only develops new methodologies but, indeed, creates new markets by developing legal products that revolutionise traditional transactions whilst also making them more efficient and accessible to the everyday client. Jonathan Edwards has been working on the application of new ideas to property work for over 30 years and many of his innovations are now commonplace especially in the lending market. “AI will be the next big step forward” comments Jonathan “and only firms like MM will be able to deal with the continuing waves of change.” McVey and Murricane recognise the value of internal training and promotion; Head of Specialist Lending, Fallon Spencer, typifies a new breed of highly able solicitor who graduated from McVey and Murricane’s internal graduation program. “There are no glass ceilings at MM where your ability and merit are all that count” comments Fallon who has rapidly risen through the ranks within the firm now advising lenders of all sizes. Understanding the needs of the client But tech and quality practitioners are irrelevant if the clients do not perceive that they are receiving a great and relevant service. Clients have busy lives and McVey and Murricane’s technological, but accessible, approach is just what they are looking for. Over 600 Google reviews with an average score of 4.8 testify to the success of the approach. Brian McMullan, Head of Retail Lending, explains that “standing in the shoes of the client is all important – the client needs to feel that we are on their side and understand their needs”. Director of Conveyancing, Shirley Askew amplifies this; “Dates of entry are much shorter than in the past and this places a lot of pressure on the client (and us) but we are used to that pressure and we need to be able to explain to the client in plain English what is happening, why it is important and how we resolve any issues.” Company Contact Details: Website: www.mmilegal.com/contact-us Email: newbusiness@mcvey- murricane.com Telephone: 0141 333 9688 Donna Carson and Shirley Askew