When development risk becomes a professional liability
In recent years, the importance of development risk in residential conveyancing has moved from a fringe issue to one that is increasingly central to how advice is assessed. This shift carries significant implications, both for client protection and professional liability. At DevAssist, we have witnessed firsthand how the evolving legal landscape is changing the way […]
How AI and automation are redefining legal practice
The legal sector is experiencing one of the most significant periods of change in its history. Advances in artificial intelligence, automation and adaptable software systems are reshaping the way legal work is managed and delivered. Firms are no longer simply digitising processes, they are rethinking how technology can be tailored to support their unique workflows […]
Don’t become a high-risk conveyancer
The fines have been coming in thick and fast in the conveyancing sector. The regulators aren’t letting up as anti-money laundering (AML) checks remain a hot-button issue. Conveyancing is considered a ‘high-risk’ profession, with property transactions still a prime target for money launderers seeking the legal legitimacy of the high-value UK real estate market. One […]
House price increase ‘reflects steady market’, but regional differences grow
A 0.7% increase in house prices reflects a steady housing market according to the latest index from Halifax, following the 0.5% dip seen in December. While overall activity levels “show resilience”, the lender says regional differences have become more pronounced, with a clear north-south divide. Positive momentum has continued in the north of England, where […]
Ken Weetch, MP who paved the way for the licensed conveyancing profession, dies at 92
Ken Weetch, the former Labour MP for Ipswich who campaigned for the establishment of a conveyancing service to be performed by non-solicitors, has died aged 92. A decade before the Administration of Justice Act 1985 established the legal framework for non-solicitors to provide conveyancing services, Weetch introduced a bill to amend the Solicitors Act 1974 […]
SRA takes action on PM Law closure
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed it has formally intervened in the closure of PM Law and its subsidiary firms in a statement published yesterday on its website. After calls for clarity from the regulator in the days following the closure of the Sheffield-based firm, a statement confirms the SRA launched an investigation on […]
Base rate held at 3.75% – property industry reacts
The Bank of England has held base rate at 3.75%, with the Monetary Policy Committee voting five to four in favour of the hold. The bank has opted to maintain stability while assessing whether inflationary pressures will ease in the coming months, the committee said. The decision follows inflation (CPI) increasing slightly to 3.4% in December […]
Battle for work sees conveyancing fees fall in 2025
Conveyancers lowered fees in the battle for work during the subdued autumn and winter of last year, when home movers paused or delayed plans to move amid Bank of England interest rate decisions, rising inflation and potential changes to stamp duty in the November budget, according to a report from reallymoving.com. An analysis of average […]
Value of abandoned mortgages up by a third as fall-throughs worsen
Home buyers failed to take up £32.4 billion worth of mortgages last year, partly due to worsening fall-throughs of property sales, according to figures from property industry consultancy Novus Strategy. An analysis of Bank of England data for Monetary Financial Institutions by Novus revealed mortgage cancellations climbed 36.4% in 2025 – the largest annual jump […]
Support for those affected by PM Law closure
The Conveyancing Foundation shares in the sympathy of the whole conveyancing community for those are going through a difficult, uncertain and stressful time after losing their livelihoods and incomes. As a charity dedicated to supporting the lives of those working in the property community, we want to lend our support to all those affected. You may […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – If there is a light to be found in this dark affair, it is this
And yet again, conveyancing world throws more unexpected news at us all this week – and it is not good. Imagine that you come to the end of a usual Friday and the end of a busy working week. You look at the emails still to be dealt with and decide they can wait until […]