The move will see the ERSA and its seven individual member firms join the council, with the organisation working closely with the council while continuing to promote equity release to consumers.
Ashfords, Birchall Blackburn, Blacks Solicitors, Equilaw, Goldsmith Williams, Caesar & Howie and Gordon Brown make up the current membership of the ERSA.
The announcement will also see Claire Barker, managing partner of Equilaw and chairman of ERSA, and Peter Barton, partner at Ashfords Solicitors, form an anti-fraud group to fight against bad practice in the industry.
Barker commented: “We are excited to be part of the expansion of the trade body and are looking forward to working with the Equity Release Council to expand awareness of equity release and to promote the highest possible standards and client care.
“There are relatively few solicitors within England and Wales with the necessary knowledge and practical expertise to deal with equity release in a truly impartial and authoritative way.
“ERSA remains committed to providing and promoting specialist legal advice, and to helping grow the equity release market.”
Voting is now open in the Equity Release Awards 2012, with awards set to be handed out in 10 different categories. Have your say now HERE.
