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 […]
LSCP urges regulators to act on unbundling as Tracker Survey finds numbers at record high
More people than ever are ‘unbundling’ legal services, with one in five consumers dividing the tasks that need to be carried with their solicitors. The highest incidences of the practice were found in probate, trademarks, employment and immigration law, where more than a third of consumers took on some of the legal work. The figures […]
Ombudsman to publish more examples of complaints failings in drive for greater transparency
Efforts to help the legal sector better understand the role of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) and provide insight into their decisions are to be redoubled under a ‘renewed commitment to using statutory powers to publish final decisions where it is in the public interest to do so.’ The Legal Ombudsman, established in the wake of […]
Year-on-year sales data shows increase in demand and signals ‘buoyant’ market
TwentyEA’s analysis of the property market in Q2 shows a 7% year-on-year rise in demand. The property tech’s CEO warns ‘systemic issues’ may yet lead to a cool-off, but others believe the market will remain ‘buoyant’. The report, which is based on factual and real-time property sales data, shows that demand, supply and sales are […]
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 […]
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 […]
National roll-out for online planning appeals service
The Planning Inspectorate’s new digital appeals service is being rolled out nationally following a successful pilot with five London boroughs. The roll-out will take place in three phases, with all authorities in England joining the service by December. The service has been piloted in five London boroughs (Barnet, Greenwich, Havering, Richmond upon Thames, and Bromley), where […]
Demand picks up as housing market boosted by relaxed affordability assessments
The Halifax has helped 3,000 extra buyers to market thanks to relaxed affordability assessments, with around a third of those now able to access mortgages first-time buyers. ‘The market’s resilience continues to stand out and, after a brief slowdown following the spring stamp duty changes, mortgage approvals and property transactions have both picked up, with […]
Leaseholders to get stronger powers against ‘extortionate’ charges
Millions of leaseholders will receive stronger rights, powers and protections to better challenge ‘extortionate’ service charges under major reforms to the feudal leasehold system announced by the government. The announcement has been hailed as ‘an important step forward’ by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and welcomed as ‘significant’ by the Residential Freehold Association. […]
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 […]
LSB chief steps down after just 12 months in the role
Super-regulator, The Legal Services Board (LSB), has announced Chief Executive Craig Westwood will leave the organisation after just a year in the role having tendered his resignation citing personal reasons this week. Westwood was appointed in May 2024 and took on the role of Chief Executive having previous been Director of Communications, Policy and Research […]
Government sets out ambitions for £39b affordable homes programme
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has shared details of the Social and Affordable Homes Programme announced at the Spending Review last month. The programme aims to deliver 300,000 social and affordable homes, 60% of which (180,000) will be earmarked for social rent and linked to local incomes. The new plan builds […]
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 […]
Bank of England mortgage data adds to positive signs of future demand
Data released by the Bank of England shows that mortgage approvals for house purchases increased by 2,4000 to 63,000 in May – the first increase since December 2024. Re-mortgage approvals also increased, up by 6,200 to 41,500. Property industry experts reacted positively to the indicator of future demand – however some commentators from the finance […]
HMRC transaction data up 25% since April: ‘The return of genuine, underlying demand’
HMRC’s May transaction data suggests last month’s optimism in the face of a steep decline was justified, with the seasonally adjusted figures showing a 25% rise since April. But while the news has been welcomed by industry commentators, some are warning the market hasn’t fully recovered just yet. While May represents a healthy month-on-month increase, […]
AML rules ‘a major burden’ government admits, as it brings forward reform plans
The government has acknowledged Anti Money Laundering (AML) regulations ‘are seen as a major burden’ to professional business service firms, and has pledged to reform the controversial rules by the end of the year. Writing in the Professional and Business Services Sector Plan, which sets out details of the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy for the […]
Planning & Infrastructure Bill attracts criticism from Lords at second reading
The Planning and Infrastructure Bill has been scrutinised in the House of Lords for the second time, with many speakers welcoming reform but others outlining ‘serious concerns’ and calling the bill ‘an affront to democracy’. Introducing the bill, Parliamentary undersecretary Lord Khan of Burnley (Housing, Communities and Local Government), noted ‘there are simply not enough […]
New SRA chief confirmed to replace departing Philip
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have appointed a new Chief Executive Officer to replace the departing Paul Philip, who leaves after nearly a decade in the role. Philip retires later this year and will be replaced by Sarah Rapson, who currently serves as Executive Director Supervision at the Financial Reporting Council, and has an extensive […]
FCA seeks feedback on mortgage rules for ‘once in a generation’ chance to increase home buying
The Financial Conduct Authority has shared a discussion paper on the future of the mortgage market and is seeking a public conversation with experts and consumers on potential updates to lending rules. First-time buyers, the self-employed and people borrowing into retirement could all benefit from possible changes, as the FCA explores how it can support […]
Legal sector forms key part of government’s 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy
The government has confirmed its commitment to supporting and investing in the legal sector, laying out its plans in the 10-year Modern Industrial Strategy shared yesterday. In a statement to Parliament, the secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds said the strategy ‘focuses on the high-growth potential sectors that will drive prosperity now […]