Home buying and selling reform that must work for our profession
The Government’s consultation on home buying and selling reform – available to view here – should clearly be of interest to all conveyancing stakeholders, not least because it purports to be focused on fixing long-standing issues in the process. Much of what is proposed aligns with what the Conveyancing Association has campaigned for over many […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – All packed up and nowhere to go
I feel for clients moving house; they hand over their lives to us to help them move. They don’t really have any appreciation of what is going to happen, they don’t know the other parties in the chain. They only have a vague appreciation as to who does what. A prime example of how […]
Outsourcing vs offshoring: what do law firms need to think about?
In the latest episode of the Today’s Conveyancer podcast, host David Opie is joined by Omar Fatha Rally, founder and CEO of Tellida Limited, to explore the realities of offshoring in the conveyancing sector. The discussion explores the differences between outsourcing and offshoring, and the opportunities presented by using organisations based in similar legal jurisdictions. Throughout the […]
Why SDLT accuracy is becoming a lending issue too
The mortgage market is facing significant turbulence. Affordability constraints, rising arrears, and increasing regulatory scrutiny are forcing lenders to re-examine every element of the conveyancing process. Precision and compliance have never been more critical, and one area now coming under closer scrutiny is the accuracy of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) calculations. The overlooked connection […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – We’re 100% faithful (to our clients)
I have to admit that I have been addicted to the recent Celebrity Traitors series. I like the non-celebrity version and have watched all of the series so far. When chatting to my friend about writing this column, she likened it to being a traitor in that I walk among you, but you don’t know. […]
How do law firms choose the right technology for their business?
With the growth and consolidation within legal technology it can be a minefield for firms to navigate how to choose the best technology for their business which both serves them now and supports with their future plans. Even experienced professionals can find the balance between investment, efficiency and compliance challenging. Its a topic on which […]
Should smaller legal practices be worried about AI?
According to The Law Society there is a striking disparity in AI adoption across the UK legal sector. Approximately 75% of the largest law firms are already using AI as part of their daily operations, while only 30% of small law firms are even exploring the technology. Do smaller practices risk falling behind as AI […]
Why Queries with Lenders (PVQs) are stalling completions, and how to break the cycle
PVQs are part and parcel of property transactions, but the way they’re handled today is one of the quietest causes of delay in the offer-to-completion journey. This is particularly topical, given the recent Santander report which labelled the home-buying process as “antiquated” and that more than half a million failed transactions per year are costing […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – Please can you answer the question?
There are so many ways in which enquiries can be asked and answered, but I have to be honest and say there is something incredibly irritating about sending enquiries all nicely numbered and laid out – only to receive replies which mean I have to look back at the original enquiry to understand the response. […]
What are PEXA’s plans in the UK?
David Opie, host of the Today’s Conveyancer Podcast, welcomes back PEXA UK for a timely update. Since first joining the podcast nearly two years ago much has changed both for PEXA and in the property market. Joining him is Angela Hesketh, PEXA’s Head of Market Development, who shares insights into PEXA’s journey since arriving on […]
TA6: The calm after the storm
When the Law Society introduced the 5th edition of the TA6 Property Information Form, it was presented as a step towards greater transparency, efficiency and even business opportunities. It became one of the most contentious topics in recent conveyancing history. The timing and intention were understandable. Material Information had been debated by conveyancing industry bodies […]
We need a balanced and authoritative approach to leasehold reform: The sector demands clarity, not speed
It is widely accepted that the leasehold system is in need of reform, and that the current leasehold system is flawed in many ways. The 2024 Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act (LAFRA), enacted hastily by the previous government as if it had run out of steam, was heralded as significant step towards fairer ownership structures, […]
When art meets law: The story behind the Law Society’s bicentennial artwork
On 18th November, the Law Society of England and Wales will unveil the artwork commissioned to mark its bicentenary and celebrate the future of the legal profession. Today’s Media spoke to Helen Cammock, the Turner Prize-winning artist commissioned to create the works, about her background as a social worker within the family courts and probation […]
AI and professional negligence: Managing risk and client expectations
Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape how clients view professional services, and conveyancing is no exception. With the increasing use of AI in everyday life, from online shopping recommendations to instant financial transactions, clients are starting to expect legal processes, such as conveyancing, to be just as fast. The reality, however, is that while AI […]
Property trends and Project 28
In the latest, shorter episode of the Today’s Conveyancer podcast, host David Opie is joined by Rob Gurney, Managing Director at Ochresoft, and Ben Robinson, Managing Director at Landmark Estate Agency Services, to discuss the latest statistics to come out of the quarterly Property Trends Report. But there’s not much to say… the property market […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – Back to school
As I have written before, the joy and frustration of being a conveyancer is that you never know what a day will throw at you. We turn up at work and start dealing with emails, telephone calls and perhaps do some proper law if we get the time! But we need to show the public […]
“However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results”
Beyond the provocative headline “SRA stripped…”, which evokes the dramatic image of an army officer being relieved of duty, epaulets torn off and authority handed over, this shift in AML oversight to the Financial Conduct Authority invites reflection. It also makes room for a timely reminder from Winston Churchill: “However beautiful the strategy, you should […]
An interview with Samantha Burrows, chair of Women in Conveyancing
Today’s Conveyancer sat down with Chair of Women in Conveyancing Samantha Burrows to discuss the newly-created networking group and how it is supporting practitioners and shaping the future of conveyancing. TC: Why did you decide to join the Women in Conveyancing committee and what was it that inspired you to support this initiative? SB: […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – It’s quiz time!
I tend to do contract reports over the weekend – what can take me a long time in the office is quickly dealt with at home on a Sunday, when there are no interruptions from the phone ringing or emails on a continuous ping into the inbox. But it is interesting when you look at […]
What can be done to improve mental health and wellbeing in legal services?
As more than half of lawyers say they anticipate leaving their role within the next five years because of poor mental health and wellbeing, the latest Today’s Conveyancer Podcast tackles the issue head on with a wide ranging discussion on what organisations can do to protect their staff. Joining the podcast are Trish McLellan and […]