Property logbook body clears up ‘misleading and confusing’ consultation wording
The Residential Logbook Association (RLBA) has issued a clarification related to the wording in the government’s consultation on home buying reforms, which it says is misleading and does not reflect the agreed ‘digital property logbook’ term. The RLBA wants to see all residential property transactions supported by a regulated digital logbook, with accredited providers included […]
CLC publishes 11 principles for use of AI, with detailed guidance
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has published its first AI and Technology Principles and Guidance, released to coincide with AI Week. Developed collaboratively by the CLC’s AI and Technology Working Group, the 11 principles reflect extensive input from across the sector, including probate and conveyancing practices, lenders, insurers and technology providers. Informed by the Legal Services […]
SRA ‘knew’ SSB was failing nearly a year before it collapsed as it faces enforcement action
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) faces enforcement action in the wake of its failure to properly regulate failed Sheffield law firm SSB Group; missing the opportunity to respond ‘effectively or efficiently’ despite more than 100 reports relating to SSB’s activity from January 2019 to March 2024. A report published by the Legal Services Board (LSB) suggests […]
Solicitor fined £17,000 for failing to advise clients of risks in property purchases
A solicitor has been fined £17,000 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority after failing to advise multiple overseas buyers of the risks involved in the purchase of over 300 properties being constructed or refurbished by a property developer. Ming Fai Tam, also known as Matthew Tam, acted for the buyers between 2017 and 2020 in his […]
LSB announces review following Mazur, as SLC reassures conveyancers
The Legal Services Board and the Society of Licensed Conveyancers have added their voices to the ongoing debate surrounding the High Court’s Mazur ruling that legal executives cannot conduction litigation, even under supervision. As firms pulled legal executives from casework amid concerns about the potential wider impact of the ruling, The Council for Licensed Conveyancers, […]
Sarah Sackman KC MP and Judge Fiona Monk to speak at CILEX Conference
CILEX has confirmed the speaking line up for its annual conference taking place on Thursday 13 November in Birmingham. FutureLegal 2025 takes place at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre, and brings together the CILEX membership community, including paralegals, chartered legal executives, CILEX lawyers and legal professionals from across the sector for a day of […]
Conveyancing task force will address ‘fatal flaws’ in home buying reforms
A task force of conveyancers has assembled to address what its members say are fatal flaws in the government’s proposals for home buying reform. Urgent conversations have been taking place amongst the group since Sunday, a spokesperson said, with the aim of analysing the consultation documents ‘for the good of the profession’. The group – […]
Kemi Badenoch pledges to scrap stamp duty on primary residences
Convervative leader Kemi Badenoch will abolish stamp duty entirely on primary residences if the party is elected into government at the next election, she has said. In her closing speech at the party’s annual conference, Badenoch said the housing market is not working the way it should, with stamp duty ‘the big barrier that keeps […]
SRA clarifies position on Mazur; CLC reiterates ruling ‘has no implications for conveyancing’
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has published a statement in response to the fall-out from the High Court Mazur ruling that legal executives cannot conduct litigation, even under supervision from regulated professionals. Following claims that firms were pulling legal executives from casework – including conveyancing and wills and probate – amid concerns about the potential wider […]
Home buying industry reacts to government reform proposals: ‘Much-needed progress and change’
On Sunday night, the government announced a series of sweeping changes to the home buying system, calling the propsoals ‘the biggest shake-up to the home buying process in this country’s history’. The current system, the statement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said, is ‘chaotic’, ‘a barrier to home ownership’ and […]
Government announces ‘biggest shake-up to home buying process in country’s history’
The government has unveiled proposals for ‘the biggest shake-up to the home buying system in this country’s history’, calling the current process ‘chaotic’ and ‘a barrier to home ownership’. In a statement released on Sunday, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the proposals will ‘speed up the sluggish housing market’ with a […]
Legal sector faces ‘turning point’ as more than half anticipate leaving their role within five years due to overload and burnout
The legal sector faces a turning point as more than half of people responding to a survey on their mental health and wellbeing said they anticipated leaving their role within the next five years. A third said they anticipated leaving the legal sector completely, with the normalisation of overworking playing a sizeable role in high […]
NCA and The Law Society target conveyancers with payment diversion fraud campaign
The National Crime Agency (NCA) and The Law Society have launched a joint campaign aimed at conveyancers and solicitors to highlight the risks of payment diversion fraud in property transactions. The fraud, involving criminals intercepting and redirecting property purchase funds by impersonating solicitors, estate agents or buyers, costs the public millions every year. Figures released […]
The glass remains half full for property experts as HMRC releases latest transaction figures
Following three consecutive months of increases, HMRC figures for seasonally adjusted residential transactions in August show a decrease of 2% – from 95,240 in July to 93,630 in August. Non-seasonally adjusted residential transactions increased by 2%. The non-seasonally adjusted increase was greeted with enthusiasm by industry experts, with some also pointing out the seasonally adjusted […]
HMLR figures reveal 86 fraudulent applications last year – 0.0019% of total
HM Land Registry has released official figures revealing the number of fraudulent applications it received to create or update the Land Register in the year 2024/2025 – with just 86 identified as fraudulent. With a total of 4.4 million applications received over the same period, fraudulent applications account for just 0.0019% -significantly lower than figures […]