Birchall Blackburn joins Equity Release Council

Birchall Blackburn solicitors, which has offices across the county, has joined the Equity Release Council.

The firm has joined in its capacity as one of the founder members of the Equity Release Solicitors Alliance, which was set up to promote the importance of specialist legal advice in this field.

The Equity Release Council is the industry body that represents the providers, qualified financial advisors, lawyers, intermediaries and surveyors who work in the equity release sector.

It was re-launched earlier this year after formerly being known as Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP), with the aim of ensuring products are safe and accessible for consumers.

Birchall Blackburn helped 1,000 clients to release equity in their homes in 2012, to provide a tax free lump sum, or regular income. Michael Foxford, Partner at Birchall Blackburn, said: “Equity release is often a misunderstood retirement solution and can be complex to understand. Joining the Equity Release Council will further cement our position as one of the leading specialist firms.”