Now the wait is over, how will the housing market react to the budget?
A Rightmove survey of 10,000 potential movers carried out before the budget found almost one in five (17%) had paused their plans due to uncertainty about any potential changes to property taxes. Now the wait is over, and many of the rumoured changes failed to materialise, what does that mean for the housing market? Experts […]
The Conveyancing Association to hold online roundtable to gather home buying consultation responses
The Conveyancing Association (CA) will hold an online roundtable on 3 December 2025 to secure feedback for the government’s consultations on home buying reform and material information. The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) is seeking industry feedback on its planned home buying reforms, which aim to reduce delays, fall-throughs and uncertainty in […]
Harmful rhetoric and mistrust of legal profession undermine the rule of law, House of Lords report finds
The rule of law is under threat from a lack of access to justice, mistrust of the legal profession and politicians, and a lack of education and knowledge, according to a new report from the House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution. The report – the result of a nine-month long inquiry including 14 […]
Support LawTech and reassess reserved activities to boost legal sector, MoJ report finds
The legal sector of the future will be centred on tech-driven cross-border solutions built around individual needs, according to a new report commissioned by the Ministry of Justice. The report also questions whether reserved activities ‘continue to make sense in an increasingly digital world’. The report, produced by specialist legal advisory firm Hook Tangaza, offers […]
Government-backed cross-sector coalition aims to boost digitalisation of home buying
A government-backed cross-sector coalition to coordinate initiatives that enable digitalisation in the property market has been launched by the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT). The Open Property Coalition will build on existing research, industry pilots and stakeholder initiatives to explore how emerging technologies can ‘re-imagine’ the home buying process. Organisations backing the coalition include […]
CLC launches accelerated qualification for experienced fee earners
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers’ (CLC) has launched an accelerated route to qualification for fee earners with experience in conveyancing and probate. The ‘professional experience’ route allows fee earners to bypass the Level 4 Diploma, which qualifies them as a conveyancing or probate technician, and progress directly to the Level 6 Diploma, after which they […]
Solicitor cleared after client’s capacity called into question over quick cash property sale
A solicitor has successfully defended his conduct at a Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) hearing after being accused of acting ‘recklessly’ and failing to act in the client’s best interests when instructed on the quick sale of a property by a client whose capacity was later called into question. The seller, known as Client A, had […]
Cost of moving jumps 27% in a year, with conveyancing costs up 8%
Home movers pay an average £17,831 in upfront costs when buying and selling a property – up 27% since 2024 – according to the latest Cost of Moving Report from comparison website reallymoving. London movers pay almost twice as much, with average costs of £32,786, while first-time buyers pay an average of £2,315 to move […]
CILEX asks for permission to appeal Mazur ruling
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has applied for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal against the Mazur judgment, the High Court ruling that legal executives cannot conduct litigation, even under supervision by authorised firms. In a statement issued yesterday, CILEX said it ‘has held serious concerns’ about the ruling from Mr Justice Sheldon since it […]
Propertymark data suggests ‘clear challenges ahead’ for housing market
The latest Housing Insight report from Propertymark includes figures which it says ‘are encouraging in parts’, but the estate agents’ body warns there are ‘clear challenges ahead’ for the housing market. An average of 73 new prospective buyers registered per member branch in September, up significantly from August’s 53. September’s viewing numbers were also positive, […]
New blow for Rightmove as it acknowledges £1bn damages claim
Rightmove was dealt a new blow this week, with reports that thousands of estate agents could seek up to £1 billion in damages amid claims the property portal had been ‘abusing its dominant market position’ by charging ‘excessive and unfair’ subscription fees. In a case due to be brought to the Competition Appeal Tribunal, Jeremy […]
HMLR launches improved digital services for Business Gateway software users
HM Land Registry has improved its digital services for customers who use software connected to Business Gateway application programming interfaces (APIs). The update will ensure a more reliable and flexible service for those developing software through the introduction of new APIs, HMLR says. The change in APIs – software components that automatically update data between […]
Reeves backtracks on LLPs as chancellor sets the scene for tax increases
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has is reported to be watering down plans to raise tax through the imposition of of a national insurance equivalent levy on limited liability partnerships. First reported in The Times, it had been suggested efforts to raise revenue could include a new charge on LLPs which are not currently subject to national […]
Law Society seeks member feedback for home buying and selling consultation response
The Law Society has launched a survey of members seeking views on the government’s home buying and selling consultations, with the opportunity to take part in focus groups to help inform the Society’s responses. The Law Society website is hosting the survey, and is encouraging responses from members and the wider legal sector. The survey […]
SRA ‘concerned by continued non-compliance’ with source of funds checks
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has reviewed ‘a substantial body of data’ for a thematic review of source of funds and wealth compliance, and says it is ‘concerned by the continued levels of non-compliance’. Data gathered through proactive supervision work over three years has consistently shown that compliance with source of funds requirements remains a […]
Bank Rate stays at 4% ‘but further cuts expected’
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee has voted to maintain Bank Rate at 4%, by a majority of five to four, with the minority voting for a reduction of 0.25 percentage points. Announcing the decision, the committee said CPI inflation is judged to have peaked. ‘Monetary policy is being set to balance the risks […]
HMLR launches ‘ambitious’ new strategy for ‘faster, less stressful property market’, with a focus on digital transformation
HM Land Registry has set out its ambitions for 2025 and beyond in a strategy it says will deliver better services and create a faster, less stressful property market, centred around the use of data and a push towards digital transformation. Strategy 2025+ sets out HMLR’s long-term priorities designed to modernise property transactions and improve […]
Conveyancing ‘stretched to breaking point’, survey finds, as working group launched to discuss urgent reforms
A survey by conveyancing membership body Bold Legal Group (BLG) reveals widespread concern about the sustainability of the conveyancing profession, with 93% of respondents reporting the role has become more challenging or is in decline. The majority of those surveyed (82.5%) believe regulatory and compliance demands are the biggest issue affecting daily working life, with […]
Conveyancing task force urges local law societies to take action over homebuying reform
The Conveyancing Task Force (CTF), formed last month in response to the government’s proposals for homebuying reform, has written to local societies in England and Wales asking them to take urgent action over the plans. The CTF – a collaboration of 23 law firms including SMEs and a public limited company, as well as individuals […]
Chancellor ‘looking at proposals’ to double highest rates of council tax
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reported to be considering proposals to apply a 100% increase to the highest council tax bands, which would affect more than one million homes, predominantly in London and the South East of England. According to a report in The Telegraph on Saturday, the chancellor ‘is said to be looking at’ plans […]