CLC shares interim referral fee report and calls for ‘hard evidence of how fees are used or abused’
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has published its interim report into the use of referral fees and put forward a series of recommendations to strengthen transparency and consumer protection. The review found that referral arrangements can play a legitimate role in conveyancing and help consumers to access services conveniently, provided they operate clearly, consistently […]
Survey reveals widespread use of unauthorised and open source AI, breaching client confidentiality
A survey has revealed nearly two thirds of fee earners admit to using open source artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT, potentially compromising client data and confidentiality. The research by legal software company Access Legal revealed 59% of the 200 UK legal professionals surveyed by Censuswide said they had used unapproved AI applications, like the […]
GOV.UK launches tax adviser registration tool for firms to check obligations
HMRC has released a new service for organisations to check whether they must register as tax advisers under the new rules effective from Monday 18th May 2026. The tool asks users a series of questions to determine whether or not a firm will need to register. When the tool was used to answer questions purporting […]
Kitemark for upfront information providers to be developed as new representative group launches
A new group has been launched to standardise the production of material information and digital sales packs, under the umbrella of the Residential Logbook Association (RLBA). Upfront Information Group (UIG) has been established by the self-regulatory body of logbook providers to enable it to engage with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) […]
CLC shares updated guidance on the treatment of VAT on disbursements
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has published new guidance on the correct VAT treatment of disbursements. The guidance note brings together information and resources with the aim of supporting firms in determining how to treat different disbursements for VAT purposes. As well as a revised definition of the term ‘disbursement’, the guidance note includes an outline of relevant case […]
Firm-wide CPD and peer-assessed training part of new CLC ongoing competence requirements
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is introducing new requirements for individuals and firms to undertake and report on ongoing competence, as part of a new Ongoing Competence Code. The code, effective from 1st November, includes the assessment of training by senior colleagues. Individuals will be required to complete and report on a minimum of […]
Updated valuation standards for multi-storey residential buildings with cladding
An EWS1 form is intended for valuation and lending purposes only and is not a fire safety certificate and does not replace a professional life safety fire risk assessment, according to new guidance. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has published the second edition of its UK professional standard, Secured lending valuation of properties […]
Law Society publishes tax adviser registration Q&A
The Law Society has published a question and answer section on its website relating to the upcoming requirement for conveyancers to register as tax advisers with HMRC. Despite efforts to convince the government that conveyancers should not be identified as tax advisers under the Finance Act 2026 for the role they play in processing stamp […]
Taylor Rose fined £160,000 by SRA
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has fined Taylor Rose more than £160,000 for compliance failures including failing to return client money promptly. The SRA directed the firm to pay a financial penalty of £160,059, with costs of £1,350. The regulator said it had fined the firm for failing to have effective systems and controls in […]
FCA welcomes second cohort of AI-powered solutions for real world testing
As part of efforts to develop AI-powered fintech, the Financial Conduct Authority has announced its second cohort of organisations chosen to live test AI applications and “explore key questions around risk management and live monitoring to support the responsible deployment of AI for consumers and markets”. Eight new firms, including Coadjute, Barclays, Experian, Lloyds Banking […]
Conveyancers say they’re unprepared for HMRC tax adviser changes
A Today’s Conveyancer poll has revealed only 10% of conveyancers are prepared for upcoming HMRC requirements to register as tax advisers, with the remaining 90% saying they’re unprepared (33%) or need more information (57%). From 18 May, tax advisers who interact with HMRC on behalf of clients will be legally required to register as tax […]
Savings, cash gifts and mortgage-free purchases are biggest AML red flags
A discrepancy between the amount of savings declared by a buyer and the amount shown on their bank statement is the biggest red flag in anti-money laundering checks, according to data from client due diligence platform Thirdfort. Analysis of more than 415,000 completed Source of Funds (SoF) checks by the company revealed savings mismatches raised […]
Future Homes and Buildings Standards advocate for cleaner, more efficient home heating
Updates to the Building Regulations as part of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards have come into effect, in an effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels for home heating by improving energy efficiency standards for new homes, which should also help reduce energy bills. In a circular letter published by the Ministry of Housing, […]
‘No indication’ tax adviser status to be deferred
There is ‘no indication’ HM Revenue and Customs will defer the requirement for conveyancers to register as tax advisers, following a meeting with the tax authority last week. In a blog reporting on HMRC’s views expressed in the meeting, published on the Bold Legal Group forum and shared widely on social media, John Shallcross, a […]
The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 published, with £7,000 fines for non-compliance
An information sheet detailing the responsibilities of private landlords and letting agents in England in complying with the Renters Rights Act has been published by the government. The official document must be provided to tenants by 31 May 2026. The Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 is designed to give tenants helpful, practical advice on […]
New SoF training programme for conveyancers
A new Source of Funds (SoF) training programme could help conveyancing firms navigate what its developers describe as “one of the most complex and anxiety-inducing areas of AML compliance”. Tom Lyes Consultancy and compliance specialists HiveRisk launched SoF in Focus to give conveyancing teams “practical guidance and greater confidence” when dealing with SoF enquiries in live matters. Practical sessions cover […]
Client matter risk assessments: Think first, tick second
Client matter risk assessments (CMRAs) have moved from back-office paperwork to the frontline of regulatory scrutiny for conveyancers. Recent Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) reviews show that, alongside firm-wide risk assessments and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies, regulators now examine CMRAs in detail – not just whether they exist, but how they’re used and what they record. In our […]
Fast track route to conveyancing and probate qualification launched by CLC
A fast-track route to a conveyancing and probate qualification has been launched by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) as the regulator steps up efforts to tackle the demand for both legal services. The route to becoming a licensed practitioner now provides an exemption for those with a law degree from the Level 4 Diploma, […]
MoJ client account interest consultation premise ‘fundamentally flawed’, says conveyancing membership body
The underlying premise to the Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) consultation on using client account interest to fund access to justice is “fundamentally flawed”, says the Conveyancing Association; a membership body representing the top 200 solicitors and licensed conveyancers by volume in England and Wales. Proposals to introduce an Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts (ILCA) scheme […]
How large law firms are responding to compliance pressure
In the final instalment of our three-part series exploring compliance for law firms of all sizes, Legl product marketing manager Rick Jakubowski explains how large law firms, with more than 100 employees, should manage compliance. Large firms (101+ employees) are in a unique position when it comes to compliance. On the one hand, they […]