Stamp Duty under the spotlight; myths and pitfalls
In this episode of the Today’s Conveyancer Podcast, host David Opie sits down with Louise Wise of Relatus to shed light on the complex world of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and how proactive advice can transform outcomes for conveyancers and clients alike. Drawing on her transition from family law solicitor to specialist in property […]
Premium pressure? Why shopping around is vital in the PI insurance market
One of the most consistent concerns I hear from member firms isn’t about regulation, recruitment, or referral fees, it’s about PI insurance. Oddly, it’s the sort of subject that’s rarely discussed openly in forums or events, and yet when you mention it, you quickly find out it’s top of mind for many. That’s particularly the […]
How the conveyancing sector can stay ahead in 2025 and beyond
The first half of 2025 has been a reality check for the conveyancing sector. A post-SDLT deadline environment brought short-term relief, but the challenges beneath the surface haven’t gone away. In fact, they’ve become more pronounced. As we look to the rest of the year, the key question is: are we prepared for what’s next? […]
When good firms get caught in regulatory backdraft
In a Times article about the handling of the SSB Law collapse last month, the newspaper’s legal editor Jonathan Ames highlighted an uncomfortable truth being felt right at the coal face of law firms. The Legal Services Board’s growing scrutiny of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, particularly in the wake of the collapse, has triggered a […]
Have housing developers become bullies, or have they always been?
In the challenging world of property chains, stress is a given, but all too often that stress crosses a line. Recent comments from property lawyers expose a darker side of the housing market: developers bullying buyers and property professionals in order to try to get them to exchange of contracts before all relevant due diligence […]
What does modernising property transactions really mean for conveyancers?
The government’s pledge to modernise the home moving process has captured industry attention but what does it really mean for conveyancers, and how will it impact day-to-day legal practice? For many conveyancers, change can feel like something detached from the practicalities of daily caseloads and an unwelcome distraction. But as digital transformation of property transactions […]
M&A momentum: How private equity is reshaping law firms
In this episode of the Today’s Conveyancer Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Thomas Mieszkowski, a partner in the corporate team at Walker Morris LLP. The conversation takes a deep dive into mergers and acquisitions in the legal sector, with a special focus on private equity’s increasing interest in law firms. Thomas shares insights from his recent experience advising on […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – Acronym bingo
I was photocopying some old pre-registration deeds earlier this week in order to prepare a contract for the sale of unregistered land. As I tried to make the large documents fit onto the copier, I reflected on the way in which documents were drafted; the number of words equating the fees which could be charged […]
When a covenant clashes with common sense: How one clause can undermine homeownership
It’s a scenario that could affect any home: the freedom to adapt, extend, or improve it to suit your life. But a single clause in a decades-old covenant could forbid even the simplest extension or shed, no matter what planning law says. A recent query on the Bold Legal Group forum reveals just how challenging […]
A year on from reform: Leasehold practitioners call for clarity
A year after the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act (‘LAFRA’) appeared on the statute books, a new survey of property professionals reveals that while reform remains welcome in principle, confusion and delay have left leaseholders, freeholders and their advisers in limbo. ALEP (the Association of Leasehold Enfranchisement Practitioners), whose members include leading barristers, solicitors, project […]
SDLT: Residential or Mixed Use?
SDLT is a complex tax and never more so than when considering a property which may be mixed use. A mixed use property is one which consists of both residential and non-residential elements. The most common type of mixed use property would be a shop with a flat above or at least a mixture of […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – Conveyancers in the fast lane
I went to watch the F1 movie on Friday evening – I even finished in my office a little early to get to the cinema on time, which is unheard of from me on a Friday. And I have to say that I was not disappointed with the film. If you haven’t seen the film […]
The future of legal technology and workplace efficiency in conveyancing transactions
For decades, conveyancing has been characterised by manual processes, duplicated effort, and protracted communication. In today’s fast-paced and digitally connected world, there is consensus that this model is unsustainable. There is mounting pressure from clients for ever-better service, regulators for compliance improvements, and competitors for technical innovation. The conveyancing legal technology sector, which was once […]
Solicitor warns TA6 changes will slow conveyancing process
A new Property Information Form (TA6) being trialled by a working group of conveyancers will cause confusion and create delays, a solicitor has warned. The new form is being designed to give buyers more information at the start of the process, with the aim of reducing the number of enquiries raised by the buyer’s conveyancing […]
SRA shares advice on AML compliance – and warns enforcement will increase
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has shared advice on how to stay compliant with AML regulations, and warns that enforcement action is set to increase over the coming year. In a webinar held last month, SRA investigations manager Tracey Bourne said enforcement activity had ‘increased probably by around 100%’ in the last financial year and […]
Are you leaving your purchase customer at risk?
Most people would agree that ‘increasing automation’, ‘reducing transaction timescales’ and ‘lowering costs’ are all noble goals which are difficult to object to in any industry. However, in a world where lenders are central to the process that purchase conveyancing clients must navigate, there is a rapidly growing possibility the individual client risk is increasing, […]
Are some firms seeing AML fines as just a ‘cost of doing business’?
The Solicitors Regulations Authority (SRA) has spent much of 2025 levying increasingly sizeable fines on law firms that have failed to comply with their regulatory responsibilities under the Money Laundering Regulations. In recent weeks we have seen fines of £120,000, £80,000 and £64,000 for non-compliance over numerous years with the SRA’s Codes of Conduct and […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – Can I get an update on that?
I can think of no other job where there are so many constant and almost never-ending requests for updates. And when we get asked for an update, whether it be from the estate agents, the other solicitor or the client, we tend to have stock phrases. We write/say such things as: “Waiting on the seller’s […]
Sales progression, chain management, and the road ahead
David Opie hosts the latest episode of the Today’s Conveyancer Podcast, featuring guest Nick Huntley, Commercial Director at Rello. With extensive experience across estate agency, property portals, and conveyancing technology, Nick offers a wealth of knowledge on sales progression and chain management. The discussion explores Rello’s innovative approach to streamlining home-moving transactions, combining experienced professionals with […]
In the age of AI and rising costs, NALP says paralegals are more relevant than ever
Today’s Media spoke to Amanda Hamilton, director and patron of the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP), about the evolving role of the paralegal and NALP’s role in the profession’s voluntary self-regulation. A recent survey measuring public perception of AI in the legal sector found that the public isn’t yet ready to fully trust the technology in […]