News brought to you by the Today’s Conveyancer editorial team.
A report into the differing guidance provided by regulators in the wake of the Mazur case has highlighted how “insufficient cross-regulator engagement” resulted in inconsistent interpretations of the Legal Services Act and the subsequent guidance
New data released by HM Land Registry (HMLR) under the Freedom of Information Act shows that stamp duty land tax (SDLT) related issue codes continue to feature regularly in property registration activity. The data underlines
Legaltech incubator Geovation has opened applications for its next cohort, which it says will give “access to world-class technical talent, data, expertise and industry connections to help accelerate product development and commercial growth”. The Ordnance
Newly formed private equity backed legal services firm Orwins has announced its latest acquisition, with Newcastle-based Clarke Mairs joining the group. Formed earlier this year and backed by Scottish PE firm Aliter Capital, Orwins was
HM Land Registry is changing the way it sends application-related correspondence via email, including requisitions, letters and notices. From late August, documents will be available via a secure link in an email, instead of a
First registration of title if deeds are lost or destroyed (PG2) Page summary: Applying for first registration of land where the title deeds have been lost or destroyed (practice guide 2). Change made: The guide
The recently launched environmental search provider GeoCerta has been announced as the latest member of search trade body The Conveyancing Information Executive (CIE), which represents property due diligence and search providers. Launched by former Groundsure
Following the accession of Andy Burnham to Labour leader, the Law Society of England and Wales has called on the new prime minister to work with the legal sector to support growth across the country.
Hot weather, a new prime minister and the football World Cup have added to the growing list of “distractions” facing home buyers, according to Rightmove’s latest house price index. The number of sales agreed in
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has signalled it will shift a greater proportion of contributions to the compensation fund on to individual solicitors following its consultation on the 2026/27 business plan. Where currently 50% of
There is widespread support amongst consumers for digital property packs and fundamental reform of the home buying and selling process, according to a new survey by the Open Property Data Association (OPDA). OPDA’s Future of
An independent review of the Legal Service Board (LSB) commissioned in the wake of regulatory failures including Axiom Ince and SSB Law has concluded the organisation has “lost its way in recent years” and has
Having completed half of 2026 it’s a good time to sit down with regular contributors Ben Robinson and Rob Gurney of Landmark and Ochresoft respectively to look at what has happened in the property market
Conveyancing membership body the Society of Licensed Conveyancers has thrown its weight behind calls for a review of the current HM Land Registry approach to qualified electronic signatures (QES). Concerns were raised this week over
Author and comedian Harriet Beveridge will share Olympic-winning performance strategies at The Legal Conference 2026. The co-author of the best-selling book Will It Make The Boat Go Faster?, which tells the story of the Olympic
Private equity house CKM3 has invested in Oxford-based Hedges Law through a new legal services vehicle, Oak Legal Group, it has announced. Oak Legal Group formally launches as a “deliberate step to build something fundamentally
Proposals by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to introduce mandatory ethics training for all solicitors would be “unworkable and costly”, the Law Society of England and Wales has said. Further plans to re-introduce requirements to record
Moving house is “inefficient and frustrating” with as many as one in four home buyers saying they suffered financial loss as a result of the fall-through of their sale or purchase, according to research from
The 10th Annual HomeOwner Survey from the HomeOwners Alliance has found widespread pessimism among those who don’t already own their own home, with more than half of non-homeowners surveyed (52%) doubting they will ever do
Fewer consumers were satisfied with the outcome and speed of their legal services matter in Wales than in England, and fewer Welsh legal services users found it easy to compare services in the principality than
HM Land Registry plans: title plan (PG40s5) Page summary: This supplement describes the purpose, creation and maintenance of title plans (practice guide 40, supplement 5). Change made: Section 11 has been amended to include an
HM Land Registry has responded to an open letter calling for amends to guidance on the use of qualified electronic signatures (QES), acknowledging there are barriers to adoption and explaining it is aiming for an
The next Women in Residential Property (WiRP) Business Forum event will tackle real-world AI applications across law, property and practice. The in-person event, hosted in Bristol on 23rd July by WiRP chair and Foot Anstey
An industry coalition of e-signing platforms, qualified trust service providers (QTSPs) and UK-certified digital verification service (DVS) providers has called on the government and HM Land Registry to address what is says are errors in
Having supported a high profile conveyancing firm secure investment, Lanterna Consulting co‑founders Simon Farthing and Shona Kaye are well placed to tackle the topic of how law firms can present themselves to secure private equity
Lawyers could be sanctioned for not using artificial intelligence (AI) where it has the potential to improve professional ability, and for misusing AI where its use throws up errors and hallucinations. A Legal Statement on
Consumers are the “elephant in the room” in the client account debate with an “overwhelming majority” saying they do not want their lawyers to keep the interest on client money, according to the latest Legal
Listed law firm Knights saw underlying revenue increase by 28% to £207.7 million and underlying profit before tax increase by 19% to £33.2 million, according to its latest results. The hugely acquisitive firm said it
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has announced the retirement of former chairperson and long-standing board member Valerie Holmes (pictured left) and welcomed Mark Willey (right) as its newest member. Holmes’ retirement follows many years
Software provider MatterSphere has become the first legal case management provider to connect with the National Logbook Register, the Residential Logbook Association (RLBA) has announced. The integration will enable firms using MatterSphere to search the
Louise Trueman is the founder and director of Trueman Bailey Law, specialising in residential conveyancing and private client services. Passionate about modernising legal practice, she has built innovative systems designed to simplify complex transactions while
Leases: determination (PG26) Page summary: How leases are determined and how this affects registered titles (practice guide 26). Change made: Sections 7 and 10 have been amended to cover where a lease being determined is