ONP Solicitors is expanding its Leeds operation in response to ‘increasing demand for its conveyancing and remortgage services.’ Since opening its Leeds office in May 2022, ONP has seen organic growth to a team of

The latest data from Legal & General Ignite shows that improved mortgage affordability and lower interest rates are tempting prospective buyers to purchase their first home. Searches by brokers on behalf of first-time buyers grew

The Legal Services Board (LSB) announces the appointment of barrister Elaine Banton as a non-lay member of the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC). The LSB oversees the OLC, the board of the Legal Ombudsman, making

The Law Society of England and Wales has announced its new artificial intelligence (AI) strategy based on three pillars: Innovation, Impact and Integrity. AI is already driving Innovation across the legal sector. At the core

Household Finance Review

The average price of property coming to the market for sale rises by 0.3% this month (+£1,199) to £371,958. This is a much lower monthly increase in new seller asking prices than is typical at

eConveyancer, part of Smoove Ltd has this week launched eConveyancer+, a new product that measures the communication and efficiency of the conveyancing process. The product is a new set of service standards developed in partnership

Simply Conveyancing has announced the opening of a new office in Leeds. Alan Young, CEO of Simply Conveyancing, said that Leeds is one of the “fastest-growing cities in the UK”, with a “thriving legal and

The housing market in August 2024 displayed a mixture of stability and subtle shifts, according Propertymark’s Housing Insight Report. The average number of new prospective buyers registered per member branch remained static at 71, unchanged

The latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey indicates that the UK housing market continues to pick up. The September 2024 survey found that demand, sales, and new listings had all returned

CMA praises advancements in legal sector, but more can be done

The CMA has published its response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consultation on planning system reform. The CMA responded to the consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework

Today the Renters’ Rights Bill is set to get its second of three readings in the House of Commons before it can progress to the House of Lords. The legislation intends to introduce a range

CLC

Work by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) to empower consumers is having “a significant, measurable impact,” the Legal Services Board (LSB) has been told. In its report to the LSB, the CLC also outlined

The latest data from Legal & General Ignite shows that improved mortgage affordability and lower interest rates are tempting prospective buyers to purchase their first home. Searches by brokers on behalf of first-time buyers grew

Ahead of the Autumn Budget, the latest mortgage snapshot from Rightmove reveals that the average first-time buyer mortgage payment is still over £350 more than five years ago. Data from Rightmove’s weekly mortgage tracker shows

Mental health

As the world marks World Mental Health Day today (10th October), the Law Society of England and Wales urges the UK government to modernise the Mental Health Act and give patients better access to justice

Twenty7tec has announced mortgage market statistics for September 2024. In September 2024, compared to August 2024: Purchase mortgage searches were down 0.1% Remortgage searches were up 11.9% Buy To Let purchase mortgage searches were up

SDLT

Ahead of the Second Reading of the Renters’ Rights Bill on Wednesday 9th October 2024, Propertymark is urging MPs not to overlook the key role landlords and letting agents play, and to strengthen the Bill

To coincide with Black History Month, the Law Society of England and Wales has published new guidance to support Black or minority ethnic students entering into the profession. The guidance provides advice on: Challenging assumptions

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has fined Starling Bank Limited £28,959,426 for financial crime failings related to its financial sanctions screening. It also repeatedly breached a requirement not to open accounts for high-risk customers. Starling

Diary of a high street conveyancer; 21st March

Market conditions have “steadily improved” over the summer and into early autumn and mortgage affordability has been easing due to strong wage growth and falling interest rates, according to the Halifax House Price Index. This

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