Journalist and managing editor of the Today’s Media publications: Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills and Probate
Kent law firm Brachers has completed the acquisition of fellow Kent firm Gill Turner Tucker. The acquisition comes a year after Brachers’ partnership with private equity-backed Lawfront, in a deal which took the national group
The housing market of 2025 was resilient, with demand that held up well, according to Nationwide’s House Price Index for December. Despite the year ending “on a softer note” in relation to house prices, Nationwide’s
It’s been a busy year for the conveyancing profession, with stamp duty changes, ministerial resignations, landmark legislation, budget chaos – and proposed reforms that could transform the home buying and selling process. It’s been our
The National Leasehold Campaign (NLC) said it is “deeply disappointed” that the government has failed to publish the draft Leasehold and Commonhold Bill prior to Christmas. Leaseholders face yet another Christmas in limbo, the campaigners
The landmark Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which the government says is at the heart of its plans to build 1.5 million new homes, has received Royal Assent. The “seismic” planning reforms contained within the act
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted by a majority of 5–4 to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 3.75%. Monetary policy is being set to ensure CPI inflation settles sustainably
Housing secretary Steve Reed has launched a major consultation on a revamped National Planning Policy Framework, in what he said will be “the most significant rewrite of planning rules in more than a decade.” The
With the deadline for responding to the draft business plan and budget of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) now passed, the Law Society of England and Wales and the Council for Licensed Conveyancers have shared their
A conveyancing platform that aims to “dramatically” speed up the process of buying a home by automating “critical parts of the admin-heavy conveyancing process” has raised £2.5 million in seed funding. The platform combines purpose-built
First-time buyers, the self-employed and later-life lenders could get a step-up onto the housing ladder under plans announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) this week. The regulator has shared its priorities for reforms to
The UK housing market performed broadly in line with expectations over the last year despite fluctuations triggered by stamp duty changes, Halifax says in its end of year review. Although forecasts are uncertain against an
The UK Finance Mortgage Market Forecast for 2026 predicts a 1% drop in property transactions, leading to 10,000 fewer transactions than in 2025. Lending for house purchases grew by 22% in 2025, to a total
Six fast-tracked devolution areas will receive a multi-billion pound long-term funding package to support the building of new homes and improved high streets, the government has announced. Combined county authorities in Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria,
A rise in the use of ‘buy now, pay later’ schemes is significantly affecting the chances of securing a mortgage for a generation of young professionals, a UK mortgage broker has warned. An analysis by
HMRC has confirmed conveyancers who submit SDLT returns must register as tax advisers, in accordance with legislation introduced in the Finance Bill 2025-26, which will come into effect from May. Confirmation was sent in an
A new expert panel chaired by deputy prime minister David Lammy has met to discuss plans that will ensure the UK remains a leading global centre for legal services. Legal and business experts who make
The last year has been one of the most stable for the housing market in the last decade, according to Halifax head of mortgages Amanda Bryden. Commenting on the release of the latest Halifax House
Three firms have been fined a total of £43,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority for failing to conduct adequate anti-money laundering checks in conveyancing transactions. The largest penalty, £20,048, was handed to East London firm
Changes to property taxes announced in the budget are unlikely to impact the housing market, and moderate borrowing costs should support buyer demand, Nationwide’s chief economist Robert Gardner has said. Commenting on the release of
CILEx Regulation has published its new EDI strategy setting out its key objectives for the next three years, along with its Diversity Data Report for 2025. CILEx regulates chartered legal executive lawyers, other members of
Mortgage lending activity returned to growth in Q3, the latest Household Finance Review from UK Finance reveals. Refinancing also increased, with volumes up nearly 50% year‑on‑year. Lending is now around the stable levels seen in
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice David Lammy has announced plans to modernise the criminal courts and cut delays, in reforms he said would deliver ‘swift and fair’ justice for victims. But
The Building Societies Association has launched a growth plan to help boost financial resilience across the UK and expand home ownership. The plan calls on government and regulators to improve access to mutual capital by
Property technology provider Moverly has been awarded the Smart Data Challenge Prize for its digital sale ready packs, which securely share the multiple sources of home-related data used throughout the home buying process. The £50,000
The average first-time buyer home now costs 5.9 times average earnings, the lowest ratio since 2015, according to the latest affordability review from Lloyds. Research from the high street lender has found a combination of
The Bank of England’s Money and Credit Report for October reveals a decrease in the number of net mortgage approvals, falling 600 to 65,000. Approvals for remortgaging fell by 3,600 to 33,100, the lowest since
A cross-party think tank says the UK is risking a health emergency without changes to the housing stock, as the climate becomes more unpredictable. The Homes without Harm report from the Housing Commission of public
The latest quarterly New Builds Pricing Report from Propertymark reveals the extent of variations in both seasonal and regional pricing for newly built homes. In London, the Q3 price increased by £102,685 compared to the
HMRC’s residential transaction figures for October reveal a 2% monthly increase, up from 96,730 in September to 98,450 in October – the highest seasonally adjusted residential transaction figure since March 2025. Non-seasonally adjusted residential transactions
The pre-budget speculation surrounding property taxes contributed to a drop in buyer demand and sales agreed across the country, Zoopla reports in its latest House Price Index. The uncertainty triggered by rumours for weeks leading
Research by the Law Society of England and Wales has laid bare the levels of threats faced by solicitors, with half of those interviewed for the research reporting threats or abuse related to their work
Almost a third (29%) of HM Land Registry customers have reduced their avoidable requisitions since law firms received their figures individually six months ago. A fifth of customers now have an avoidable requisition rate under