In brief: Leeds practice liable to Building Society

The Court of Appeal has ruled that Leeds firm Ian Brill & Co, which acted for a man who sold his house without his wife's knowledge, is liable to the Bristol & West Building Society for breach of warranty of authority. Lords Justice Staughton, Waller and Waite upheld a Leeds District Registry decision. The ruling is significant, because it shows that solicitors may still be liable, even if people are masquerading as others, said Simon Pizzey of Bristol firm Veale Wasbrough, who acted for Bristol & West.