Journalist and managing editor of the Today’s Media publications: Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills and Probate
Following the government’s admission that anti-money laundering regulations are ‘a major burden’ on professional business services firms, HM Treasury has released a response to the 2024 consultation examining the effectiveness of Money Laundering Regulations. In
The latest remortgage snapshot from LMS shows a relatively flat picture for June, but a 20% increase in year-on-year instructions ‘emphasises market strength’, the company says. There was no change in the instruction rate or
Research from Savills has found activity in the UK’s development land market is slower than expected, despite reported enthusiasm for the new planning policy and an increase in the number of available sites. Changes to
A charity founded by a lawyer to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds is providing ‘welcome packs’ for new Year 7 pupils, including uniform vouchers, stationery, a school bag and other academic resources. The Be
A report produced by the Equity Release Council sets out examples of good practice, strategic priorities and case studies to help firms support later life lending customers. Produced in collaboration with Inclusive Outcomes, an organisation
The Law Society of England and Wales has recommended a 2.45% salary increase for aspiring solicitors, in line with the Consumer Price Index 12-month rolling inflation rate. The increase, which is not a regulatory requirement
Stamp duty receipts for the April to June 2025 are £4.6 billion, according to HMRC data released this week – £0.4 billion higher than the same period last year. The latest figures take the total
Analysis from finance technology company Twenty7tec shows a 3.95% rise in searches for residential mortgages in Q2, which the company says demonstrates a strong overall market. The total number of movers and remortgagers looking for
An online heatmap from invasive plant specialist Environet shows that Bristol holds the dubious title of Japanese knotweed capital of England. Data from the online tracker has revealed the south-west city has 33.91 incidences of
The number of potential future buyers contacting estate agents about homes for sale is 6% higher than last year, according to the latest figures released by Rightmove, with sales agreed 5% up over the same
Borrowers will find it easier to remortgage under changes announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), in a package of measures designed to help people navigate their financial lives and support economic growth. The measures
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has set out the actions it took in 2024/25 to enable legal services for the public, and says it will continue to address ‘the persistent and deeply concerning level of
Thousands of UK business buyers, landlords and property investors could be missing out on stamp duty relief worth an average of of £12,909, according to specialist consultancy SCA Tax – with some buyers reclaiming tens
Cloud-based conveyancing case management platform InTouch has joined the Conveyancing Association (CA) an affiliate member, the CA has announced. The membership will give InTouch a range of benefits and opportunities including the use of CA
The newly published UK National Risk Assessment (NRA) of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing has been greeted with disappointment by the Law Society of England and Wales, with president Richard Atkinson pointing out the lack
A detailed picture of property market activity across England, Wales and Scotland from Landmark Information Group suggests that affordability remains the key barrier to market growth. Despite record levels of stock and competitive mortgage rates,
New legislation will set strict deadlines for fixing thousands of buildings with unsafe cladding, with new powers enabling the government to step in if landlords fail to act. The remediation plan will be backed by
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is urging practices to engage with opportunities to improve conveyancing transactions, after it emerged that a significant majority of conveyancers do not feel confident in the process. The CLC’s
Analysis from property website Zoopla reveals that one million homes in the UK have seen their value increase by 50% or more since the pandemic five years ago, an average increase of £117,400. Over half
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is seeking views on regulatory fees and fee rates for the licence year beginning 1 November 2025. While individual practising certificate fees will remain unchanged (having been frozen for
Long-running industrial action has ended after Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) members won major concessions over office attendance, individual performance data and plans to downgrade work, the union has announced. Members have voted 86.4%
House price data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows a rise in annual house price inflation following an April slow-down, with an increase of 3.9% in the 12 months to May 2025 taking
UK consumer price inflation (CPI) rose by 3.6% in the the 12 months to June, up from 3.4% in the 12 months to May. The monthly rise was 0.3%, compared to 0.1% in June 2024.
The Leeds Reforms announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Tuesday include a range of measures to help first-time buyers onto the property ladder. The Bank of England is set to allow more lending at over
A judicial review brought by a group of landowners who claim leasehold reform is a breach of their human rights has been slammed as ‘sickening’ and a ‘David and Goliath’ battle by campaigners. The National
Lifetime Legal and ONP Solicitors have launched a partnership that aims to speed up property transactions and reduce paperwork by sharing essential information and removing the need for customers to duplicate communications. The partnership will
An undercover investigation by the BBC has uncovered what it calls ‘dubious sales tactics’ by estate agents favouring buyers who agree to take out in-house conveyancing services. The broadcaster investigated UK-wide agency Connells after speaking
An affordability analysis by mortgage brokerage platform Acre has found that first-time buyers are being offered higher maximum loan sizes than they are asking for, with average offers 1.57 times more than the requested amount
Research from Knight Frank reveals that new sales instructions in the Country market – covering a range of urban and rural markets above £750,000 outside London – have jumped by 9% since last year. The
Home moving comparison website reallymoving has launched an interactive map that shows would-be home buyers the locations with the greatest choice of properties within their budget. The map can be searched by budget and number
The National Property Transaction Network (NPTN), an open and secure digital platform developed by legal tech company LMS, has welcomed 15 major lenders to the initiative, which aims to digitise and modernise UK property transactions.
The Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee (FPC) has recommended an amendment to the loan to income (LTI) flow limit that will give lenders more flexibility to grant mortgages to buyers who can demonstrate affordability.