Climate change obligations hotting up for property lawyers
In the wake of the much anticipated Climate Change Practice Note published by the Law Society this week Dan Montagnani, former CEO of Groundsure and an advisor and consultant to the geospatial, sustainability and conveyancing search industries gives his thoughts on the implications for property lawyers Publication of The Law Society Climate Change Risk […]
Expertise and training the leading cause of unnecessary pre-contract enquiries – Survey
Sentiment around the number and relevance of pre-contract enquiries remains low amongst conveyancers with over half saying the situation is worse than 12 months ago in the latest sentiment survey undertaken by Today’s Conveyancer The survey, which has run annually for the last four years and this year received over 100 responses, again demonstrates pre-contract […]
Climate change practice note to be published today; what could it mean for conveyancers?
The Law Society will today (12th May) publish its climate change practice note, and can expect a mixed reaction from the profession if the response echoes the guidance published in 2023. While some believe risks associated with climate and the expectation that conveyancers should be climate change soothsayers are beyond the scope of the profession, […]
NTSELAT material information guidance withdrawn – but duty to report remains
As part of the transition to the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC) which supersedes the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations, the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) have announced it is withdrawing the Material Information Guidance it published in 2022 and 2023. Effective 8th May 2025, the […]
SRA seeks 23% budget increase to tackle ‘shifting risks’
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is seeking views on its new draft business plan, which it says will require a 23% budget increase in response to a legal market that is ‘changing rapidly’. The final year of work outlined in the SRA’s corporate strategy for 2023-2026 will address ‘shifting risks’, including large firm failures, the consumer […]
FCA consults on steps to simplify mortgage rules
The FCA has launched a ‘public discussion on the future of the mortgage market’, with responsible risk-taking, alternative affordability testing, lending into later life and consumer information needs all on the agenda. ‘We’re seeking feedback on our proposals to simplify some responsible lending and advice rules for mortgages, making it easier, faster and cheaper for […]
‘New instructions flat, but improvements on the horizon’ – RICS
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors says the UK housing market is showing ‘further signs of strain’, as the organisation’s April Residential Market Survey reveals another drop in buyer enquiries and agreed sales. However, the institution acknowledged the dip could be attributed to SDLT changes, and the longer-term outlook is more promising. The report showed […]
Property trends report Q1 2025
In the regular quarterly update looking at the latest statistics from Landmark, Today’s Conveyancer Podcast host David Opie is joined by Ben Robinson and Rob Gurney of Landmark to pore over the latest Property Trends report covering the first quarter of 2025. Given the changes to stamp duty thresholds on 1st April 2025 there is […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – Leave a message after the beep…
What a week! The thing is – us conveyancers could say that every week! But what I think we need to see is that conveyancing is not really a nine to five job anymore. I am sitting at my desk on a sunny Sunday morning and my work mobile has just rung. My first thought […]