Conveyancers suspected of dishonesty could face action by regulators, HM Land Registry (HMLR) has warned.
In a blog published on the HLMR website, assistant land registrar Serene Rollins said manipulating or re-using signatures, repeated failures to check deeds, and misrepresenting oneself as a legal professional were among the issues that could prompt referral to a regulator.
Some concerns, she said, warranted immediate referral, though the first step would be to engage with the firm or individual concerned before involving the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) or CILEX Regulation.
Referral was not about honest mistakes but in response to “concerns that could compromise data integrity or public confidence in the profession”, she said. High standards are fundamental to the effective operation of the property market, and the vast majority of applications received by HM Land Registry (HMLR) were submitted correctly; complete, accurate, and made by individuals who are authorised to do so.
But “increasing workloads and more complex transactions” are significant pressures on conveyancers and other professionals, she said, in “maintaining the integrity of the property system”. On rare occasions, “we encounter applications that give rise to serious concerns, such as dishonesty”, she added.
In such cases, “our first step will be to engage with the individual and/or firm concerned. This enables us to clarify the position, understand what has gone wrong, and consider whether the issue can be resolved”.
Rollins added: “We will share the information that has prompted our concerns, explain why the issue matters, and offer guidance to help avoid similar problems arising in future. Where concerns cannot be satisfactorily resolved or where the concerns are so serious that immediate referral is warranted, we will refer the matter to the appropriate regulator.”
Stephen Ward, director of strategy and external relations at the CLC, said: “The CLC works closely with HM Land Registry to maintain high standards of title application. Insight into the performance and challenges of CLC practices that Land Registry sees is a valuable contribution to our regulatory oversight and adds to our already detailed view of each practice.”
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers said it said welcomed the “proportionate approach and commitment to engaging with firms before any referral”.
