British Conveyancing Awards 2026: Entries close today and tickets launch with special Cyber Monday offer
Tickets for the British Conveyancing Awards 2026, sponsored by Groundsure, have been launched today (Monday 1st December) with a special Cyber Monday discount. This week only (Monday 1st December to Friday 5th December 2025), if five tickets are booked for the awards, the sixth ticket is free (half table). If 10 tickets are booked, a […]
As mansion tax rumours become fact, expert share their views on its impact
Of the many rumoured changes to the system of property taxation, the mansion tax – or ‘high value council tax surcharge’ – was the only significant measure introduced by the chancellor in her autumn budget. From 2028, an annual ‘high value council tax surcharge’ of £2,500 for properties worth between £2-5 million and £7,500 for […]
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 […]