The new HMRC tax adviser status: What conveyancers need to know (and why it matters for SDLT)
HMRC’s introduction of a new ‘tax adviser’ registration regime has understandably caused concern across the conveyancing sector. While much of the discussion has focused on accountants and tax practitioners, conveyancers are now finding themselves caught in the middle, particularly when it comes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). With implementation expected from May 2026, many […]
tmGroup expands digital onboarding solution with launch of tmForms in Verify365
tmGroup, the UK’s leading provider of property data and digital conveyancing technology, announces the launch of tmForms, now available within its Verify365 anti-money laundering (AML) and onboarding solution. The forms will also be available to users within the tmConvey platform. tmForms delivers Law Society licensed TA6, TA7 and TA10 forms with intelligent conditional logic and […]
Affordability gap locks out 1.5m from housing market
The gap between what aspiring homeowners can ‘realistically’ afford and the actual cost of purchasing a property has widened significantly in recent years, according to the latest report from The Home Builders Federation (HBF), Broken Ladder: The Affordability Gap. As a result, HBF is now calling for government support to address the affordability crisis for first-time buyers […]
Conveyancing paralegal banned from legal work, fee earner supervisor cleared
A conveyancing paralegal has been barred from working in legal practice, with her “deliberate dishonesty” cited as the aggravating feature, whilst her fee earner line manager has been cleared of any wrongdoing. The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal heard that solicitor Joanne Elizabeth Tappin and paralegal Ria Lakhani, then at Mackrell Solicitors, were alleged to have made […]
Restricting jury trials would save just 2% of crown court time, IfG says
A report from the Institute for Government (IfG) on the potential impact of government plans to restrict jury trials reveals the changes would “unlock only relatively modest reductions in demand”. Instead, the IfG says, the government should focus on reversing the decline in productivity seen in the crown courts since 2016. The proposals to reduce […]
Judiciary sets out diversity and inclusion priorities in latest strategy
The Judiciary of England and Wales has published its Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2026-2030, which sets out its priorities for expanding the diversity of the judiciary, particularly the number of Black judges. The Judiciary said it is committed to achieving meaningful progress in diversity and inclusivity, with the Lady Chief Justice, Dame Sue Carr, saying […]
Myerson Connections sponsors law firm growth podcast
The Law Firm Owners Podcast has named Myerson Connections as its new headline sponsor. The new sponsor, a referral scheme for legal professionals operated by Greater Manchester’s Myerson Solicitors, came on board after listening to a year’s worth of weekly episodes. Hosted by law firm growth consultant Dan Warburton (pictured), high profile podcast guests have […]
No calls please, we’re conveyancers
Michelle O’Shea has worked her way up through the ranks of conveyancing, starting out as a legal secretary and progressing to forming her own practice, which she ran for 30 years before retiring last year. Now watching from the sidelines, she has some sage observations and words of advice for the conveyancers still taking calls. […]