Journalist and managing editor of the Today’s Media publications: Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills and Probate
New analysis from Rightmove reveals that the number of new build housing developments coming to market is at its lowest level since January 2017, despite the government’s target to build 1.5 million homes over the
Total mortgage searches increased by 7% month-on-month and were 2% higher than this time last year, according to the June mortgage market snapshot from Twenty7tec. First-time buyer searches rose 9% month-on-month and are now 5%
UK Finance has shared a video explaining how the use of tokenised sterling deposits are the “visionary” next step in the digital finance transformation. The Great British Tokenised Deposit (GBTD) initiative is a collaborative industry
The newly renamed Lloyds House Price Index, formerly Halifax, reveals a slight increase in house prices in June, up by 0.2% after falling by the same amount in May. The small but significant shift offers
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced planning reforms it says will cut pre-application time by up to a year and save developers £1 billion on major infrastructure projects. Delivered through the
The government is seeking views on whether ‘quid pro quo’ leases should be exempt from, or treated differently to, proposals to a proposed cap on ground rents in residential leases. The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has launched a public consultation on new rules for complaint handling by regulated law firms, after proposals in its October 2025 consultation were withdrawn. The additional draft rules build on the
All the latest innovations brought together in a regular round up of news, updates and upgrades for conveyancing firms. Legalito, the technology provider created by The Partnership property lawyers, has released a new source of
More than 100 people have entered Simplify’s Trainee Conveyancer Programme since its launch. With further cohorts planned this year, Simplify says it is focused on developing future talent and supporting the long-term sustainability of the
Smith & Co Solicitors has strengthened its residential property team with the appointment of Pauline Hodgson (pictured above) as new department head. The appointment recognises more than a decade of specialist legal expertise and an
The latest Money and Credit report from the Bank of England reveals a 14.9% drop in net mortgage approvals for house purchases, down to 56,205 in May from 66,034 in April. This was below the
Buyer demand has dropped 15% compared to this time last year, with sales agreed falling 7%, Zoopla’s May house price index reveals. After months of cautious optimism, higher borrowing costs and ongoing political uncertainty are
Conveyancers continue to bear the brunt of AML penalties, with the majority of the decisions published by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in the first half of this year referring to the high-risk nature of the
The new edition of the UK Finance Mortgage Lenders’ handbook is live from today (Monday 29th June). The handbook will operate from a new platform and has been developed to deliver “a substantial enhancement in
UK Finance is supporting Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, Nationwide Building Society, NatWest Group and Santander to develop a financial services-led digital verification service that could be used to verify property transactions through banking apps.
Housebuilding statistics published by Homes England reveal a year-on-year increase in both new starts and completions between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026, up by 11% and 9% respectively. Housing programmes delivered by the
Conveyancers and professionals across the property ecosystem have shared their reactions to the government’s roadmap for home buying and selling reform. Beth Rudolf, director of delivery at the Conveyancing Association, presented a balanced view. “Home
The government has released its agenda for changes to the home buying and selling process, with “a major shift” to digitalisation at their heart, and reduced duplication through AI-assisted conveyancing. The reforms will cut delays,
The government has released its agenda for reforms to the home buying and selling process, which it says will cut delays, reduce and digitalise paperwork, and stop sales collapsing. The reforms are centred around a
The government will publish a landmark roadmap setting out the steps it will take for a “once in a generation” change to home buying and selling, Baroness Taylor of Stevenage told the Propertymark One conference
Fraud operates “on an industrial scale” and is a threat to national security, according to the latest Annual Fraud Report from UK Finance. The report reveals ‘malicious redirection’ invoice and mandate scams have fallen to
The June heatwave saw demand fall by 10%, according to Rightmove’s real-time housing market data. As well as half-term heat causing a temporary reduction in home-mover activity levels, the property portal’s house price index has
Updates to borrowing rules could see first-time buyers, older borrowers and the self-employed find it easier to get a mortgage, as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) acts on its ambitions to reform lending in the
The Middle East conflict continues to dominate housing market commentary as its impact begins to filter through into monthly reporting. The latest Halifax House Price Index shows house prices were down 0.1% in May, following
The government has shared details of its long-awaited consultation on reforming cohabitation rights, which is open now and will run for 10 weeks until 14th August. The consultation will look at three key areas of
HMRC has released its long-awaited guidance for conveyancers on the requirement to register as tax advisers and has confirmed further updates will be added to support applicants with the process. The guide has been issued
The total number of e-signatures used at HM Land Registry by the first quarter of this year is five, according to a freedom of information request. Just two businesses have started submitting Qualified Electronic Signatures
The government has launched its long-awaited consultation on reforms that would give cohabiting couples greater financial protections when relationships end, and automatic inheritance rights when a partner dies without a will. The proposals would also
Homeowners will be given direct access to their own Land Registry data as part of a 12-month digital property logbook trial set to begin this month. The trial, which has been coordinated by the Residential
The updated UK Finance Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook will ‘soft launch’ today (1st June), in what the banking industry body said will be a parallel process with the existing handbook ahead of its formal release on
With legal technology developing at pace, Today’s Conveyancer brings all the latest innovations together in a regular round up of news, updates and upgrades for conveyancing firms. Here, in the first of what will be
The next generation of conveyancers have taken part in graduation ceremonies after completing specialist programmes with Simply Conveyancing and Convey Law. Five trainees from Convey Law’s Conveyancing Pathway programme (pictured above) have graduated and will