Restoring trust in conveyancing recommendations starts with transparency and choice
The recent Panorama investigation and subsequent review announced by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) cast a long-overdue spotlight on the opaque referral practices that continue to shape much of the UK conveyancing market. The concerns raised are familiar: consumers not being offered a genuine choice of legal providers, referral fees being prioritised over service […]
Surge in demand defies typical summer slowdown and ‘reinforces buyers market’
A surge in buyer demand is defying the typical summer housing market slowdown, accompanied by a rise in agreed sales and a record number of homes on the market. The latest House Price Index from Zoopla shows a year-on-year increase of 11% in demand and 8% in agreed sales, with an average of 37 homes […]
Changes to first-tier complaints requirements risks ‘over-regulation’ – The Law Society
Proposed changes to first-tier complaints handling, which could include requirements to publish complaints information to clients in a ‘clear, accessible and prominent place’ on firms’ websites, have been criticised by The Law Society. Responding to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s ‘Changing our requirements on first-tier complaints’ consultation which runs until 1st August, Law Society president Richard […]
Leaseholders’ Section 20 consultations ‘routinely ignored’
A new report from the Leasehold Advisory Service (LEASE) reveals that Section 20 consultations, which establish a legal requirement for landlords to consult leaseholders before starting major works, are being ‘routinely ignored’. The report from the government-funded advisory body illustrates leaseholders’ challenges with Section 20 consultations, which account for one in 10 direct enquiries to […]
Equity release up 10% year on year – Equity Release Council
The equity release market grew by 10% in the last 12 months as older homeowners unlocked £636m in property wealth according to the latest Equity Release Council’s (ERC) latest quarterly market report. A total 14,404 new and returning customers took out equity release loans in Q2 2025; a 10% increase in total lending when compared […]
Conveyancing under the microscope: Why AML failures are no longer just a technicality
It’s no secret that conveyancers have found themselves in the crosshairs of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) recently. We have seen a raft of fines handed down over the past few months making it crystal clear to us that anti-money laundering (AML) compliance isn’t a ‘back-office’ administrative concern, it’s a front-line regulatory risk. The team […]