Government unveils major home buying and selling reforms with ‘digitalisation at their heart’
The government has released its agenda for changes to the home buying and selling process, with “a major shift” to digitalisation at their heart, and reduced duplication through AI-assisted conveyancing. The reforms will cut delays, reduce and digitalise paperwork and stop sales collapsing, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said, centred around digital […]
‘No news is good news’ as Bank of England holds base rate at 3.75%
The Bank of England has held the base interest rate at 3.75%, with the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voting for the hold by a majority of 7-2. The committee said it will continue to closely monitor the situation in the Middle East and its impact on the economy, and stands ready to act as necessary […]
Conveyancers are not ‘qualified, regulated or insured to provide tax advice’ – Conveyancing Association
Conveyancers are not “qualified, regulated or insured to provide tax advice” the Conveyancing Association (CA) has warned, in response to HMRC requiring the profession to register as tax advisers for the submission of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) returns. HMRC’s guidance confirms conveyancing firms need to register as tax advisers in order to obtain the […]
Law Society shares ‘widespread and serious concerns’ over SRA funding increase proposals
The Law Society of England and Wales says it has “widespread and serious concerns” over the proposed increase in funding the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is seeking in its 2026-2027 business plan. In its response to the business plan consultation, the representative body said there was “insufficient evidence underpinning some proposals” and the SRA risked […]
Building societies and mutuals boast one third of all first-time buyer lending – BSA
Building societies and mutual-owned banks continue to play a key role in helping aspiring homeowners get onto the property ladder, the Building Societies Association (BSA) said, after recently released figures showed they accounted for around one third (32%) of all lending to first-time buyers. The representative body for all 42 UK building societies, including mutual-owned […]
Confessions of a cyber conveyancer: ‘Just because you CAN raise every enquiry, doesn’t mean you should’
AI isn’t the cause of irrelevant enquiries, Today’s Conveyancer columnist Peter Ambrose points out – but it might be the solution. If you put on your Speedos and do a forward double pike into the cesspit that is LinkedIn, you’ll read the increasing frustration of lawyers who are now receiving dozens of irrelevant enquiries […]
The Law Commission’s reforms and the evolving operation of the Land Registration Act 2002
In his third and final analysis of the property registration system, senior lecturer in law Dr Saidunnabi Piyal examines the evolving application of the Land Registration Act 2002 and critically reflects on progress, persistent problems and doctrinal instability. The land registration system introduced by the Land Registration Act 1925 operated for over 75 years […]