Avoiding Stamp Duty.. anyone know about this...

elliebobs

The grammar used in the email is also inconsistent with that typically used by a QC. Stay away and report them, as someone else has suggested.
If it sounds too good to be true, then it usually is!

dfarry

The email was from a representative of the firm, not the supposed QC himself.

elliebobs

I know it wasn't from the QC themself however the grammar is still inconsistent. Just something that jumped out at me that screamed 'dodgy'.

alunharford

QCs don't get out of bed for £476 per day (a major problem in funding legal aid at the moment). A phone call with a QC followed by some work is unlikely to be so cheap. Very much sounds too good to be true.

zzzLazyDaisy

Also it is highly unlikely that a QC would give a member of the public a call to discuss something - barristers are not permitted to deal with the public directly, so at the very least the solicitor would have to arrange a telephone conference which would have to take place at the solicitors office - presumably at extra cost.

It all sounds very strange to me!

G_M

G_M wrote: »

I would also be tempted to forward the email to [EMAIL="Ethics@BarCouncil.org.uk"]Ethics@BarCouncil.org.uk[/EMAIL] or contact the bar council .

I would definately forward the email to [EMAIL="Ethics@BarCouncil.org.uk"]Ethics@BarCouncil.org.uk[/EMAIL] or contact the bar council

huntersc

Why are SDLT planning options being posted on a public forum like this? Crazy. Everyone knows that you can avoid SDLT, everyone knows there's a loophole, everyone knows this particular exchange/completion alteration loophole will only last until it's made public and the govt has to take action against it. So let's keep it under your hat and let the solicitors do the work and let us take advantage of it while it's possible.

So speak to the law firm, pay them their percentage and don't post it on blasted public forums like this!! Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! Once you've spoken with them you'll find there's a 12 month period where the SDLT can be reclaimed so you posting on a public forum like this does not help!

G_M

huntersc wrote: »

Why are SDLT planning options being posted on a public forum like this? Crazy. Everyone knows that you can avoid SDLT, everyone knows there's a loophole, everyone knows this particular exchange/completion alteration loophole will only last until it's made public and the govt has to take action against it. So let's keep it under your hat and let the solicitors do the work and let us take advantage of it while it's possible.

So speak to the law firm, pay them their percentage and don't post it on blasted public forums like this!! Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! Once you've spoken with them you'll find there's a 12 month period where the SDLT can be reclaimed so you posting on a public forum like this does not help!

Hi huntersc - I think if you read the thread objectively you would have to agree that everyone does NOT know that you can avoid SDLT, everyone does NOT know there's a loophole, everyone does NOT know this particular exchange/completion alteration loophole will only last until it's made public and the govt has to take action against it.

Otherwise posters would not be posting as they do.

So either do what this forum is all about - share your knowledge, or if you are unwilling to do so can I respectfully suggest you simply refrain from posting?

G_M

you'll find there's a 12 month period where the SDLT can be reclaimed

Oh - and if this is what it's about, well I hypothersise: SDLT can be paid by the buyer themselves on Completion by filling in the gov SDLT form (here). You don't HAVE to pay your solicitor £50 to do it.
So I guess there's a re-claim form too. Need to pay a QC to fill that in? Doubt it! You'd just need to understand the criteria and fill in the right form.

ps - a quick google found this, and here, and here. I'm sure googling would find lots more on the subject.

Thanks huntersc!

maninthestreet

dfarry,

Can you name the solicitors/conveyancers that sent you the email?