Journalist and managing editor of the Today’s Media publications: Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills and Probate
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
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
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
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors says the UK housing market is showing ‘further signs of strain’, as the organisation’s April Residential Market Survey reveals another drop in buyer enquiries and agreed sales. However, the
A 0.3% increase in house prices, as reported in the April Halifax House Price Index, is a sign of sustained confidence that offers good news for buyers, experts say. The average property price is now
Proprietary data from L&G’s Ignite platform shows a ‘significant increase’ in remortgaging activity from Q4 in 2024 to Q1 2025, with a 76% rise in searches by over 65s. Broker searches for remortgaging products have
National SME law firm networkLawNet has appointed Lee Woodger to the newly created role of head of community and communications, as part of a strategic realignment of senior roles. LawNet says Woodger’s appointment forms a
A pilot scheme for the National Property Transaction Network (NPTN), an open and secure digital platform developed by legal tech company LMS, achieved a 35% reduction in completion times and a 43% drop in cancellations.
Knights has announced the acquisition of Essex-based law firm Birkett Long, for an initial £10 million. The deal will bring around 90 lawyers and 10 financial advisers to Knights, who will join an existing team
The house buying process takes 36 days longer than buyers expect it to, according to new research from the Open Property Data Association (OPDA). Almost half of those questioned said conveyancers are the primary cause
The reforms outlined in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will boost the economy by up to £7.5 billion over the next decade, according to a government impact assessment. Among the largest direct monetary benefits identified
The legal sector is being encouraged to focus on mental health and wellbeing this month, with this week marking Wellbeing Week in Law, and Mental Health Awareness Week beginning on the 12th May. Awareness weeks
The Ordnance Survey and HM Land Registry backed startup initiative Geovation has announced the 20th cohort for its accelerator programme, which is designed to support entrepreneurs bringing property technology solutions to market. Since it was
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) has published its latest progress report, and warns an increasing number of properties will be at risk of flooding or overheating but the UK’s preparations are ‘inadequate’, ‘piecemeal’ and ‘disjointed’.