Vast majority of conveyancers ‘not confident’ in sales process
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is urging practices to engage with opportunities to improve conveyancing transactions, after it emerged that a significant majority of conveyancers do not feel confident in the process. The CLC’s third quarterly Confidence Tracker has revealed that 85% of respondents feel unconfident or neutral about the sales process, with […]
CLC seeks views on regulatory fees
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is seeking views on regulatory fees and fee rates for the licence year beginning 1 November 2025. While individual practising certificate fees will remain unchanged (having been frozen for over ten years, amounting to a real-terms cut), the CLC proposes to increase practice fee rates by 3% to take […]
End of chancel checks? Law Commission to consult on extent of homeowner’s liabilities
The Law Commission have launched a consultation on proposals to clarify chancel repair liability (CRL) and potentially end such, unless there is an entry on the property title. The Commission’s paper and consultation, which runs until 15th November 2025, highlights a need to clarify the current ‘uncertainty’ around the intention of the Land Registration Act […]
Simon Hayes to depart HM Land Registry
HM Land Registry Chief Executive Simon Hayes will depart the organisation in September to take up a role with Sport England after six years in post. With an extensive background in the civil service since 1997, holding several positions across police, criminal justice and immigration policy, Hayes became chief of staff for the UK Border […]
New legal partnership aims to simplify home moving process
Lifetime Legal and ONP Solicitors have launched a partnership that aims to speed up property transactions and reduce paperwork by sharing essential information and removing the need for customers to duplicate communications. The partnership will see Lifetime Legal, which supports estate agents with over 15,000 transactions every month, share information including AML verification, TA forms, […]
The price of ‘efficiency’: What referral deals don’t say out loud
The recent BBC Panorama investigation into estate agency referral practices brought public attention to a structural issue that conveyancers have understood for years. The programme featured the sale of a residential property where one buyer, who had agreed to use the estate agent’s in-house mortgage and conveyancing services, appeared to be given preferential treatment. Another […]
BBC investigation uncovers ‘dubious’ selling of conveyancing services by estate agents
An undercover investigation by the BBC has uncovered what it calls ‘dubious sales tactics’ by estate agents favouring buyers who agree to take out in-house conveyancing services. The broadcaster investigated UK-wide agency Connells after speaking to more than 20 ‘concerned’ independent financial advisers and mortgage advisers from across England and Wales. During a six-week undercover […]
Enquiries management tool branches out into document review
Legal technology platform Legalito, which has predominantly focused on managing pre-contract enquiries between conveyancing firms to date, has announced it is introducing a new document review element to its offering. Legalito was launched by Peter Ambrose, Managing Director of conveyancing ABS The Partnership, borne out of his frustrations in managing the lengthening enquiries process. According […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – Rant Alert… check the protocol forms!
I often mention my wish list for conveyancing but there is one at the moment where I am wishing for it every day and I am getting more and more despondent about it, and finding myself more and more infuriated. So sorry – but here it is: Please, please , please before you send me […]
CLC member calls for CMA to turn its attention to material information, with ‘a couple of hefty fines’
Following the news that the Competition and Markets Authority has investigated seven major housing developers in relation to the exchange of information regarding their properties, members of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers are urging the authority to turn its attention to prioritising upfront material information (MI). The call comes after the CLC’s annual industry roundtable […]
New Aconveyancing MD Ben Davidson will focus on ‘reducing strain’ for conveyancers
Aconveyancing has appointed Ben Davidson as its new managing director, a move the firm says signals ‘a bold new chapter of strategic growth and operational leadership’. Davidson said his new role will focus on reducing strain between conveyancers and estate agents, with a strong focus on performance. He commented: “I’m excited to be able to get […]
How the conveyancing sector can stay ahead in 2025 and beyond
The first half of 2025 has been a reality check for the conveyancing sector. A post-SDLT deadline environment brought short-term relief, but the challenges beneath the surface haven’t gone away. In fact, they’ve become more pronounced. As we look to the rest of the year, the key question is: are we prepared for what’s next? […]
SA Law appoints new head of residential conveyancing and marks 20th anniversary
St Albans and London-based firm SA Law has appointed Catherine Banks as head of residential conveyancing following the retirement of Steve Kenneford, who has stepped down after two decades at the firm. Banks brings extensive experience in residential property matters and has advised clients on all aspects of residential transactions, including sales, purchases, and equity […]
Conveyancers bear the brunt of recent AML sanctions
Conveyancers have been bearing the brunt of the most recent sanctions for AML breaches, with financial penalties totalling £109,500 for breaches related to ‘high-risk’ conveyancing transactions. Although the government has acknowledged the rules are ‘a major burden’ on firms and pledged reforms before the end of the year, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) shows no […]
Breaches of struck-off solicitor ‘strike at heart of conveyancing’
A solicitor has been struck off for misconduct related to a transaction for a £6 million property and the management of a £650,000 deposit – breaches which the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal said struck ‘at the heart of the conveyancing process and the trust and confidence the public have in their solicitors and the profession’. Charles […]
CLC publishes updated advisory note on sanctions
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has published an updated advisory note on compliance with the UK sanctions regime, which it is urging practices and individuals to become familiar with. The sanctions regime concerns restrictive measures imposed by the UK government in order to achieve specific foreign policy or national security objectives. There ar various […]
SLC annual conference to be held in Derby this November
The annual conference of the Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) will take place on 12thNovember at Reach Conference Centre in Derby, followed by a dinner at the city’s Pride Park Stadium (pictured). Kate Faulkner OBE will return as host, with speakers and sessions covering topics including commonhold, AI in conveyancing and digital signatures. Hannah Knowles […]
When a covenant clashes with common sense: How one clause can undermine homeownership
It’s a scenario that could affect any home: the freedom to adapt, extend, or improve it to suit your life. But a single clause in a decades-old covenant could forbid even the simplest extension or shed, no matter what planning law says. A recent query on the Bold Legal Group forum reveals just how challenging […]
Digital conveyancing company celebrates 10-year milestone
The legal tech company behind a platform that allows conveyancers to manage the lifecycle of a transaction from one digital dashboard is celebrating its 10-year milestone. InfoTrack UK launched in 2015 and is now used by 25,000 conveyancers across England and Wales. Last year, the company was recognised with the King’s Award for Enterprise in […]
Conveyancing assistant ‘showed remorse’ for faking TR1 signatures
A post-completion assistant at a Lancashire law firm has been barred from working for a legal firm without the permission of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) after faking signatures on a TR1 form. Gemma Stanton, formerly an employee of KJD Law, traced the signatures of clients and a witness onto the TR1, which was related […]