Britain’s housing policy is now a stretch target with better lighting – this is not a U-turn, it’s beautifully British
Following Angela Rayner’s admission the government is unlikely to meet its 1.5 million new homes target within this parliament, X-Press Legal Services operations director Christian Lister has a suggestion for “a more honest prospectus” the government could adopt. Britain is building a housing policy the way it builds houses: slowly, expensively, and with a […]
Introducing Groundsure Street Works DRA: simplifying desktop risk assessments
The street works UK material classification protocol has introduced a mandatory, risk-based approach to the classification and management of excavated waste. For organisations carrying out applicable street works, one of the key requirements is completing a desktop risk assessment (DRA) during the planning stage, before excavation begins. While the protocol provides a consistent framework for […]
Beyond the search: what standard searches don’t tell you about planning risk
Tuesday 29th September, 11:00am – 12:00 noon. This free one hour webinar session from DevAssist is designed to help conveyancers better understand planning risks, strengthen due diligence processes, and reduce professional negligence exposure, with a particular focus on SHELAA land and evolving planning policy. The session explores how standard planning searches can often reveal only part […]
Scottish government launches conveyancing review
The Scottish Government has launched a review of the country’s conveyancing process. The review, much like the UK home buying and selling reform roadmap, seeks to cut delays, reduce and digitalise paperwork and streamline the overall conveyancing process. Jill Andrew, partner at law firm Murray Beith Murray, will lead the Conveyancing Review Working Group, The […]
More than £88 billion of property in England sitting empty long-term
More than £88 billion worth of property is sitting empty across England, new data reveals. Research carried out by House Buyer Bureau found that out of 754,264 vacant homes in England, 303,185 (40.2%) have been long-term vacant for at least six months. The company collected the data by analysing the number of vacant homes across […]
Law Society shares guidance for solicitors practising in England and Wales
The Law Society of England and Wales has published new guidance to help solicitors practising in England and Wales apply the correct laws as devolved legislation evolves. Although both areas operate within a single legal jurisdiction, the body of Welsh legislation has grown significantly across devolved areas. The new Law Society practice note, Differences in English and Welsh […]
Firm news: moves at the top and new additions to the profession
North west law firm Myerson Solicitors has announced a series of senior leadership moves and appointments. Richard Lloyd has been appointed as chief executive, with current CEO Carl Newton becoming non-executive chair of the board. In the residential property team, Carly Traverse has been promoted to partner as the firm continues to invest in its growing […]
Why the property sector must turn digital ambition into practical delivery
Maria Harris, chair of the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) explores the home buying and selling reform roadmap and how it links to the smart data agenda, and explains why it’s important for conveyancers to get involved sooner rather than later. For decades, those of us working across the property sector have been describing […]