Glasgow joins standard missives club

Standard form launches this week to speed up housebuying process

News, 15 November 2005

Glasgow solicitors this week join the growing number in different parts of Scotland who can choose to adopt a standard form of contract for house sale and purchase.

The launch on Thursday of the Glasgow standard missive at the Royal Faculty of Procurators has attracted a sellout attendance of over 100 solicitors. Those behind the project hope that it will reduce the number of house transactions that fall through at a late stage, and reduce the stress for buyers and sellers in many other deals.

Until recently each firm in Scotland had its own style of contract. Protracted haggling over relatively minor terms had become more common, leaving it open to either side to back out of the bargain without penalty.

About 12 years ago the Law Society of Scotland attempted to establish a standard form for the whole of Scotland, but the terms adopted were unpopular with legal firms. Some time later the Highland Faculty, based in Inverness, drew up its own form. This became commonly used in the area and similar models were adopted in Dundee and, earlier this year, in Edinburgh and Lothian.

Rapid spread

The movement towards standard missives has since grown rapidly and Aberdeen, Paisley and Dumfries have also adopted their own foms; other areas are expected to follow shortly. Use of the standard form is not compulsory but it is believed that more than half the transactions in Edinburgh now follow it. Some sellers have been known to express a preference for an offer in the standard form.

Although some clients may still try and delay concluding a bargain for tactical reasons, it should now be easier for this to be brought into the open.

The Glasgow organisers have expressed themselves surprised and delighted at the level of interest shown. The style will be available following the launch from Ian Ferguson of Mitchells Roberton: email icf@mitchells-roberton.co.uk .