Journalist and managing editor of the Today’s Media publications: Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills and Probate
Provisional figures from Homes England, the government’s housing and regeneration agency, suggest three key housebuilding targets have already been exceeded. According to a provisional annual report due to be published in full this summer, Homes
The countryside charity CPRE claims big housebuilders are maximising profits by hoarding planning permission for up to a million new homes while releasing poor-quality properties to market. In a briefing paper released this week, the
A report from the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) reveals ‘widespread frustration’ with the homebuying process, with almost half of the 5,300 recent homebuyers surveyed saying property lawyers and conveyancers were the ‘primary culprits’. Just
Rightmove and Nationwide have launched a ‘global first’ real-time digital feature to help potential home-buyers find out if a property is likely to be eligible for mortgage lending and speed up the buying process. The
The majority of first-time buyers are aged between 25 and 34 and use their own savings to cover the deposit, according to data in the government’s latest English Housing Survey (EHS). In 2023-24, 60% of
A new desktop report instantly assesses the risk posed to an individual property by Japanese knotweed, as well as the known incidences within a two and a half mile radius. The KnotSure report, from invasive
Up to 18,500 council homes could be bought by tenants under the Right to Buy scheme over the next year, after potential purchasers rushed to submit applications following the drastic cut in discounts announced in
North East law firm Mincoffs has appointed Ashleigh Warne as partner in a series of April promotions. Warne will work closely with partner and head of residential conveyancing Emma Liddle, where she will utilise her
Top 100 UK law firm Hugh James has appointed eight new partners and two directors, while home moving group Movera has strengthened its leadership team with a new director of professional standards. Glen Walker brings
Cornerstone Tax, which specialises in SDLT advice for high-value transactions over £1 million, has been acquired by the firm’s professional connections director Chris Ward. The firm will continue to specialise in SDLT and plans to
Charities: advice for applications sent to HM Land Registry (PG14) Page summary: Advice about applications to be sent to HM Land Registry to register transactions involving charities (practice guide 14). Change made: Section 1.3 has
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has said it will continue to ‘ratchet up the consequences’ of non-compliance with anti-money laundering regulations, as it released details of fines totalling almost £100,000 in the first two weeks of
A 4% drop in buyer demand reported in Rightmove’s April house price index is a ‘temporary lull’ that will bounce back in May, the property portal reports. Despite the fall, year-to-date buyer demand is 3%
The owner and manager of former London-based law firm Kingly Solicitors has been fined over £4 million for ‘serious’ and ‘intentional’ misconduct in the largest penalty the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has ever issued. Nurul
The cost of conveyancing increased by 11.9% between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025, ‘driven by competition for services and a rush to complete before the stamp duty changes’. An analysis of 59,000 conveyancing quotes by
A slight overall dip in enquiries was tempered by record-breaking searches for self-employed mortgages in April, according to the latest mortgage activity data from by Twenty7tec. The financial services platform reported ‘a small nudge downwards’
The countryside charity CPRE is urging the government to redefine affordable housing to tackle what it calls ‘a deepening housing crisis across rural England’. The charity claims that rates of rough sleeping in some
The latest rental figures from Rightmove reveal rents are at a record high, despite an increase in supply triggered by a rise in buy-to-let borrowers and first time buyers. The number of buy-to-let loans is
A survey measuring public opinion of AI in the legal system reveals that around half of those questioned would trust the technology with paper-based matters, but almost all want human representation in court. The survey
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ‘informally resolved’ an anonymous complaint that OnTheMarket made misleading claims in its advertising. Ads from the online property portal suggested that its web traffic had overtaken that of rival
‘Utter nonsense’ and ‘a historic blunder’ – two comments that reflect the sentiment of Today’s Conveyancer readers in response to the Law Society’s new practice note on climate change. The views shared this week are
The government’s focus on housing has provided a boost to developers according to the National House Building Council, which says new home registrations are up 36% on this time last year. The figures from the
Propertymark’s survey of 100 estate agents across the UK has found a large increase in the number of prospective buyers in March, up to an average of 113 per member branch from 81 in February.
All but two counties in England saw an upward trend in the number of buyers entering the market in Q1 of 2025, according to research from London lettings and estate agent Benham and Reeves. Between
Conveyancers ‘rarely adjust’ new build contract prices to take advantage of developer-funded incentives, which can be offset against stamp duty liability according to accountancy firm Relatus. There is, says Relatus spokesperson Louise Wise, an acknowledgement
Sort Group, the national company that provides tech solutions for conveyancers, has been awarded the Gold Investors in People accreditation. The accreditation is an internationally recognised standard that reflects dedication to continuous improvement, employee engagement
A letter from Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales At a time when it feels equality, diversity and inclusion policies in law firms and elsewhere are under attack from across
Evidence of identity (PG67) Page summary: This guide explains when evidence of identity is required and how it should be given. It is aimed at conveyancers (practice guide 67). Change made: Section 6.3 has been
The demand for office investment is up by 75% since this time last year and now outstrips industrial property, according to Rightmove’s commercial insights property tracker. Figures from the commercial property website, measured by enquiries
The Law Society will today (12th May) publish its climate change practice note, and can expect a mixed reaction from the profession if the response echoes the guidance published in 2023. While some believe risks
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is seeking views on its new draft business plan, which it says will require a 23% budget increase in response to a legal market that is ‘changing rapidly’. The final year
The FCA has launched a ‘public discussion on the future of the mortgage market’, with responsible risk-taking, alternative affordability testing, lending into later life and consumer information needs all on the agenda. ‘We’re seeking feedback