Journalist and managing editor of the Today’s Media publications: Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills and Probate
Analysis from Zoopla reveals how far homebuyers are prepared to cast the net when searching for a property. The average search radius is now 3.4 miles, down from 4.3 miles in 2021 – but 26%
Private trusts of land (PG24) Page summary: Guidance on applications to register transactions involving trustees of land, aimed at conveyancers (practice guide 24). Change made: Section 4.4 has been updated to include guidance for when
HM Land Registry has achieved a Princess Royal Training Award in recognition of its work in designing and implementing the Land Registration Academy training programme. The programme was designed to provide training and development to
The Legal Services Board (LSB) is hosting an in-person event in London on 16th September to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the legal services sector. ‘Reshaping Legal Services’, hosted by Clifford Chance at the
A couple are facing a £100,000 stamp duty bill following a Court of Appeal decision related to the distinction between residential and non-residential property. The appeal was brought by Mr and Mrs Mudan, who had
Steve Reed OBE has been appointed secretary of state for housing, communities and local government following the resignation of Angela Rayner. Reed, the MP for Streatham and Croydon North since 2012, will take on the
The Halifax has reported the third consecutive monthly increase in the average house price in the UK, which the building society says is supported by improving affordability and resilient demand. An increase of 0.3% in
A solicitor who acted for both sides in a property transaction, including an elderly and vulnerable client who was charged an elevated fee, has been suspended from practice for nine months by the Solicitors Disciplinary
New data from mortgage product platform Twenty7tec shows a slowdown in mortgage searches over the traditionally quiet August period, with the total number falling 13.95% compared to July. The decrease took overall search activity to
Angela Rayner has resigned as the UK deputy prime minister after admitting underpaying stamp duty on the purchase of an £800,000 flat. Rayner resigned this morning after Sir Keir Starmer received a report into the
The managing director of the conveyancing firm that handled the purchase of Angela Rayner’s Hove flat has issued a statement to The Telegraph, explaining that the firm did not give tax or trust advice. Joanna
The Q2 Household Finance Review from UK Finance shows an expected drop in purchase transactions following stamp duty changes. But with mortgage lending returning to growth, the financial services trade association says the data suggests
The latest housing insight report from Propertymark shows a drop in demand over July, but the number of transactions and appraisals reflect a buoyant market and unshaken consumer confidence, the organisation says. The monthly survey
Analysis by financial data company Moneyfacts reveals monthly mortgage repayments of an average earner now amount to almost half of their gross salary, reaching levels last seen in the 2008 financial crisis. At the turn
The position of Angela Rayner is in doubt today after she admitted to underpaying stamp duty by up to £40,000. But while Sir Keir Starmer defended his deputy, conveyancers were up in arms about the
The quarterly Conveyancing Costs Index from home moving company reallymoving shows the cost of conveyancing dropped slightly in Q2, with a decrease of 0.1% taking the average cost of services to £2,435. Adjusted for inflation,
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has confirmed the autumn budget will be held on Wednesday 26 November. In a video message posted yesterday, the chancellor outlined the government’s achievements over the last year, but
Conveyancing and property services group Simplify and estate agency franchisor The Property Franchise Group (TPFG) have established a partnership to deliver conveyancing services to their brands. The partnership will see Simplify and TPFG combine data
The face of the high street lawyer is changing. Over the last decade, the number of sole practitioners has dropped from 27% to 16%, while incorporated companies have increased from 36% to 57% over the
Research from Landmark Information Group has identified a dramatic shift in buyer sentiment surrounding climate change, with 99% of property professionals surveyed for the research reporting rising concern amongst buyers. In the survey of 150
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is seeking views on regulatory fees and fee rates for the licence year beginning 1 November 2025. Members are invited to review and respond to a consultation paper outlining
HM Land Registry is amending descriptions of easements in title registers to provide greater consistency, clarity and accuracy, after some legal professionals found the wording confusing. Writing in an HMLR blog, head of practice David
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) says building safety regulations are inadequate and will put government plans to deliver 1.5 million new homes at risk unless they are urgently reformed. Implementation of the Building
New Bank of England money and credit data shows net mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 800 to 65,400 in July – the third consecutive monthly increase after falling for the previous four. Approvals
Nationwide’s August House Price Index shows a softening of growth, with prices down 0.1% since July. But with wider conditions supporting buyer demand, industry commentators said the news is ‘no surprise’ and will ‘drive a
Conveyancers across the UK will be honoured for their role in delivering fast, reliable property transactions at the upcoming EA Masters, to be held in London on the 4th November. The event will also see
Approval of mortgage documentation (PG30) Page summary: How to apply for approval of standard forms of legal charge and related deeds used by lending institutions (practice guide 30). Change made: Section 3 has been amended
UK residential property transactions increased by 4% in July compared to the same period last year, with the seasonally adjusted estimates showing a 1% rise since June. The provisional non-seasonally adjusted estimate also sits 4%
Councils will be forced to rewrite local plans to include higher housing targets or face being stripped of their decision-making powers, according to a report in The Guardian. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local
More than half of UK law firms are unprepared for the new ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence coming into force under The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) today, according to a new report
Client due diligence platform Thirdfort has analysed tens of thousands of Source of Fund (SoF) verifications completed via its app, and identified five emerging challenges it says compliance professionals should be aware of. The company
Digital transformation experts at Aston University have formed a partnership with Birmingham-based commercial law firm Harper James to develop an intelligent legal services platform aimed at reshaping legal services. The three-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP)