Coal Mining and Brine Subsidence Claim Searches
Directory and Guidance, 6th edition

The Law Society and The Coal Authority

Overview

Since 1989 conveyancers have used the standard enquiries contained in form CON 29M when acting in transactions involving land or property located in areas affected by coal mining activity.

This standard search was developed by the Coal Authority, the Law Society, the Association of British Insurers, the Council of Mortgage Lenders, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

From October 2006, the CON 29M search will include coal mining enquiries and the enquiries previously made by writing to the Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board.

This fully revised book contains the Law Society's guidance and the Coal Authority's advice and user guide to help practitioners order the search and understand the results. It also contains an updated Directory of Places in England and Wales showing the areas where a CON 29M is required, and a copy of the new form CON 29M (2006).

The benefits of the expanded CON 29M search service include:

• the convenience and value of a single search covering areas affected by coal mining and Cheshire Brine subsidence claims at no extra cost
• the flexibility of search and payment methods and speed of delivery provided by the Coal Authority's Mining Reports Service, enabling the majority of searches to be returned within 24 to 48 hours
• the extension of the existing insurance scheme for residential properties to cover the additional Cheshire Brine elements of the report
• new enquiries of the Coal Authority's records of mine gas emissions and emergency surface hazard call-outs
• clearer colour mapping, summary table and more user-friendly presentation.