The Government must intervene to drive the digital transformation of homebuying process

For all the talk about change within the home buying and selling process, it does genuinely feel like we’re at a tipping point in terms of moving into the next stage and that we are continuing to put our ducks in a row in terms of the solutions that will help us deliver a faster, […]
Early onboarding solution for sellers slashes conveyancing time

A year-long pilot by award winning residential conveyancing experts Thomas Legal and specialist search provider Conveyancing Data Services, a part of tmgroup, shows transaction times reduced by 40%. The pilot in England, completed with several offices from a leading, global, independent estate agency, included high-end property sales and saw up to two months shaved off […]
ASAP raises thousands for Samaritans and invites industry to get involved as part of Mental Health Awareness Week

During Mental Health Awareness Week (15th-21st May), Assured Sale and Progression (ASAP) wants to highlight its “Front Door Friday” campaign, helping those in need in challenging times. Richard Megson, MD at ASAP, comments: “Every year the property industry helps thousands of people complete their house sale or purchase, mostly taking place on a Friday. However, […]
Getting paid your true worth

The True Worth Expert Vanessa Ugatti joins host David Opie on the latest Today’s Conveyancer Podcast. Vanessa works with professional services individual and organisations to help them understand their true value, and explain that better to clients to help them get paid their true worth, unapologetically. In her work Vanessa sees individuals and organisations constantly […]
MHAW: Raising mental health awareness in the legal sector

Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event observed in many places around the world. The aim of this week is to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Although it is highlighted as a only a week to reflect on, it is something that […]
To what extent will artificial intelligence and machine learning impact the process of transferring title in England and Wales?

Today’s Conveyancer recently held an essay competition in conjunction with the University of Law focusing on the question, “To what extent will artificial intelligence and machine learning impact the process of transferring title in England and Wales?“ The competition was won by Nicholas Royds, a student at the University. Below is his prize-winning entry. Fast-changing […]
Legal Services Board appoints new policy and regulation director

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has appointed Richard Orpin as its new Director, Regulation & Policy. He will lead the LSB’s policy, research and regulatory teams from June 2023. Richard joins from Ofcom, where he led the communications regulator’s engagement with Government and Parliament on all broadcasting and media matters. Commenting on the appointment, Matthew […]
Half of conveyancers doubt feasibility of four-day working week, survey reveals

Just under half of conveyancers feel a four-day week negatively impacts transactions to at least some extent, a Today’s Conveyancer survey has found. Notably, of the 267 respondents, over a quarter (26%) feel it is impossible for a conveyancer with a full caseload to operate a four-day working week. A further 22% say that while […]
£1 billion in ROE fines yet to be handed out – report

As much as £1 billion in fines for foreign entities who failed to comply with the Register of Overseas Entities (ROE) rules are yet to be imposed, according to a new report. The registration requirements are set out in the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022, with any overseas entity – legal entities governed […]
Conveyancing climate change debate: Have your say

It has now been several weeks since the Law Society confirmed its view that solicitors have an overall duty to advise on climate legal risks in transactions. The guidance’s initial reception from many conveyancers was frosty, as was expected following the discourse around the issue over the last year. Indeed, a survey around the time […]
Number of borrowers missing bills soars

New data released by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has revealed the number of people struggling to meet bills and credit repayments has risen by 3.1m since May 2022 to 10.9 million compared with 7.8 million in May 2022. The number of adults who missed bills or loan payments in at least three of the […]
Labour will allow more homes to be built on green belt – Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour will allow more homes to be on green belt land and relax planning restrictions. In an interview with BBC Breakfast, Sir Keir said that they “would make those tough choices and say to local areas, notwithstanding that it’s greenbelt, if it’s a car park or similar land which doesn’t […]
Government unveils Renters’ Reform Bill

A new law tabled in Parliament is looking to ban landlords from evicting tenants with no justification as part of a long-discussed overhaul of the private rental sector in England. Tenants would also be given the legal right to request a pet in their home and it would be made illegal for a landlord to […]
Homebuyers unconvinced about the return of Help to Buy, research shows

New research has revealed that, while 81% of homebuyers want to see the government do more to address the housing crisis and reduce the cost of homeownership, just 46% think the Help to Buy scheme should be re-introduced. The latest research, by estate agent comparison site, GetAgent.co.uk, also revealed that 79% of those homebuyers believed […]
Residential planning applications down -5% in 2022 to lowest level since 2012

New data has revealed that total residential planning applications dropped to their lowest annual total in a decade in 2022, while the proportion of applications that were successful versus those that were rejected also currently sits at its lowest since 2008. Searchland, development site sourcing specialists, analysed historic data on the number of approved, rejected […]