Mike Walker returns to Law Firm Services as CPTO to drive AI-led client engagement strategy
Co-founders Mike Walker and Mark Hemmings reunite at the company they built together, innovators of Mattersphere and Minerva to drive the next phase of AI-led innovation for law firms across the UK. Law Firm Services (LFS) is delighted to announce the return of legal technology pioneer Mike Walker as chief technology and product officer – […]
Small steps, big impact: How SME law firms are making legal tech work
As law firms navigate rising demands, evolving client expectations, and increased competition, technology is becoming a key enabler of growth and differentiation. Automation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence offer opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and deliver more responsive, client-focused services. For SME law firms, the priority is turning this potential into measurable impact: success […]
Could you explain your SDLT process to the SRA today?
Most firms are comfortable describing how they deal with SDLT. Far fewer are confident evidencing it. That distinction matters. When the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) review your processes, the focus is not just on whether an SDLT return was submitted, but how the position was reached, what information was relied […]
Government indicates inspector may have misapplied grey belt policy test
The government has signalled that it may concede a legal error in a planning appeal decision involving proposed housing on green belt land, after accepting that the relevant national policy test may not have been applied correctly. The case concerns proposals for three homes on a small parcel of green belt land in Kingswood, Warwickshire. […]
New Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook live from 29 June – conveyancers encouraged to pre-register
The new Mortgage Lenders Handbook will be live from 29 June, UK Finance has announced. The organisation is encouraging conveyancers to pre-register for the site before 5pm on Friday 15th May. UK Finance confirmed the planned date in a statement, and said conveyancers and solicitors should continue to use the current handbook until then. “In […]
Rightmove faces £1.5bn class action as agents claim portal has overcharged for services
Property portal Rightmove is the subject of a class action as estate agents claim it has overcharged for its services. The claim, first reported in November 2025. has now been submitted to the Competition Appeal Tribunal by Jeremy Newman, a former panel member of the Competition and Markets Authority, claiming the property portal has been […]
Communication, unclear expectations and unjustified delays are key causes of residential conveyancing complaints
Poor communication, unclear or unrealistic expectations and unjustified delays without proper explanation are the key causes of complaints in property transactions, according to the Legal Ombudsman in the latest Spotlight published on its website. The Spotlight goes on to provide guidance for practitioners, focusing on what the ombudsman describes as three critical junctures: instruction and […]
Conveyancing appointments round-up
The onset of spring has seen a series of announcements from law firms and tech companies sharing details of new conveyancing hires and promotions. Switalskis has appointed four solicitors (main pic) to its residential conveyancing team, including two directors, adding further property expertise to its Wakefield, Bradford, Sheffield and Grimsby offices. Ed Atkin (pictured far […]
Lawfront adds Reading-based Field Seymour Parkes to portfolio
Private equity backed consolidator Lawfront has announced the acquisition of Reading based Field Seymour Parkes, taking the total number of firms under its ‘regional leaders’ banner to seven. Field Seymour Parkes joins regional firms Farleys, Fisher Jones Greenwood, Nelsons, Slater Heelis, Brachers and Trethowans as the Blixt-backed Lawfront continues to add to its growing […]
LSB confirms Richard Blakeway as chair of Office for Legal Complaints
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has confirmed the appointment of Richard Blakeway to the post of chair of the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) after an open competition. The appointment follows Blakeway’s appearance before the Justice Select Committee for pre-appointment scrutiny last month, and has been approved by Sarah Sackman, the minister of state for […]