HMLR joins forces with Ordnance Survey ‘for a better and less stressful property market’
A new collaboration between HM Land Registry (HMLR) and Ordnance Survey (OS) aims to foster “a better and less stressful property market” by enhancing data accessibility and innovation in the housing and geospatial sectors. The collaboration will make HMLR data easier to access and use and connect with other property market data. The aim, the […]
Rayner announces ‘default yes’ to development plans near public transport in England
The government has announced the loosening of planning policy to try and encourage the building of thousands of new homes around England’s train, tram and underground stations, including on greenbelt land. Secretary of state for housing, Angela Rayner, announced a ‘default yes’ policy to fast-track planning approvals for homes in proximity of public transport links […]
LSB approves SRA’s draft rules to separate COLP and COFA roles from owners
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has approved plans to separate the roles of compliance officers from senior managers and owners, in an addendum to Rule 8 of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Authorisation of Firms Rules. In December last year the SRA published proposals to separate the roles of compliance officer for legal practice (COLP) […]
SRA cites hallucinations and client confidentiality concerns in AI warning note
Hallucinations and client confidentiality are two major concerns cited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in a new Misuse of AI warning notice issued by the regulator. Acknowledging the increased use of AI across the legal sector in the support of tasks such as research, drafting, document review and administrative processes, the SRA’s executive director of strategy and policy […]
More than 14m people live in ‘legal aid desert’, new report reveals
Nearly a quarter of the population of England and Wales lives in an area classed as a ‘legal aid desert’, new research reveals. Analysis of local authority data by LexisNexis suggests that 14.49 million people, or 23% of the population, live in an area with a high need for legal aid and limited access to […]
Leasehold reform has a September window – will Burnham use it?
The new prime minister has a narrow opportunity to put the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill before parliament prior to the Labour conference. An early first reading could bring useful certainty, but difficult questions on commonhold and implementation remain – ALEP director Mark Chick explores the options. At the time of writing, the Commonhold […]