Long-term investment in staff bearing fruit say Simplify
Simplify say it is investing heavily in staff recruitment and retention, including cultivating trainees from within its organisation. The home moving group have recruited 150 conveyancers, including 82 trainees, since June 2024, developing them through their in-house Learning Hub. “With shrinking numbers across the industry, we’re investing in the future of conveyancing,” said Simplify CEO, […]
Fundraising efforts raise £15,000 for Essex charity
An Essex law firm has beaten its own target of £10,000 to raise £15,000 for a charity dedicated to supporting disabled individuals in achieving greater independence and equality. Throughout 2024, the team at PCS Legal participated in a variety of fundraising challenges, including climbing Snowdon, swimming the Serpentine, running marathons, cycling events, and hosting golf […]
15% fall in conveyancer numbers since pandemic
There has been a 15% fall in the number of conveyancers in England and Wales from just over 13,000 to 11,140 between September 2021 and January 2025 according to data from the Law Society published in the latest UK Residential Conveyancing Market 2025 from IRN Legal Reports. As has been widely reported, the pressure and […]
Cheshire firm launches charitable foundation
Cheshire-based law firm, Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors has launched their eponymous charitable foundation, established to ‘create a lasting impact, ensuring that organisations within the community receive the support and resources that they need.’ The firm say they have been longstanding supporters of charity and the Bell Lamb & Joynson Foundation is an opportunity give […]
Movera strengthen recruitment team with new hire
Home moving group Movera, which comprises ONP Solicitors, Cavendish Legal Group (CLG), LMS, and Conveyancing Alliance (CAL), says it has strengthened its recruitment team with the appointment of Matt Darwell to a newly-created Talent Attraction Partner role. The role was created to ‘underscore Movera’s commitment to attracting and retaining top talent’ said the group, with […]
meh! Conveyancers respond to modernisation announcement
Conveyancers have responded to the government’s modernisation of the home moving process with a degree of scepticism according to a poll run by Today’s Conveyancer. One in three (34%) said the government’s proposed ‘modernisation’ of the home buying and selling process was a positive move, with the remaining respondents describing it as a ‘negative’ move […]
HM Land Registry cases to be down to less than 12 months by the end of March
HM Land Registry (HMLR) aims to have all outstanding case down to less than 12 months by the end of its financial year in March 2025 says a senior leader at the organisation. Speaking on the Conveyancing Matters YouTube chat, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Strategy at HM Land Registry (HMLR) Mike […]
Dumbing down property law? Government agenda ‘answer to the wrong questions’
Home moving modernisation plans announced by Labour this week raise more questions than answers say a group of property lawyers and have pointed the finger of blame at government for endless red tape and poor regulation. Property Lawyers Alliance (PLA), a collective of property lawyers who say they ‘support, inform, and protect the integrity of […]
Thirdfort announces first acquisition as it grows lettings presence
Client due diligence platform Thirdfort has announced the acquisition of tenant check and document verification business Homeppl for an undisclosed sum. Thirdfort say the acquisition strengthens their position to serve the ‘evolving needs’ of property businesses, by offering a suite of products and services for both sales and lettings. Thirdfort serves both the conveyancing and […]
Juliet Whitworth joins Land Data Board
Land Data has announced the appointment of Juliet Whitworth to its Board, taking over from the retiring Claire Holloway. Whitworth, who is Head of Research and Information at the Local Government Association, brings new data and research experience to the board, alongside her strategy and senior leadership expertise say Land Data. Land Data was set […]
Property lawyer joins agent to launch sales progression service
A property lawyer has joined Yorkshire-based estate agency North Residential as Head of Sales Support to help ‘bridge the gap between clients, estate agents and conveyancers.’ With 33 years experience, most recently at Berwins Solicitors where she has was a director, Jo Randall joins North Residential to launch the new sales professions service. “The team […]
PEXA appoint duo to senior leadership team
Settlement and digital exchange platform PEXA have announced a further two senior hires as it ramps up ahead of the launch of its sale and purchase proposition later in the year. James Foster and Paul Davies join as Director of Lender Sales and Head of Conveyancer Relationships respectively. Foster will be responsible for building and deepening […]
Brachers the latest addition to PE-backed Lawfront
Maidstone and Canterbury based full-service firm Brachers LLP is the latest acquisition by private-equity backed Lawfront in a deal that takes the group past £100m revenue. Brachers is Lawfront’s fifth large regional firm acquisition and the eleventh in total; including Nelsons, Slater Heelis, Fisher Jones Greenwood and Farleys Solicitors. The group have said their strategy […]
Firm introduces ‘Don’t move, Don’t pay’ SDLT commitment
Law firm Dutton Gregory has launched the latest of its marketing stunts, this time aimed at first time home buyers hoping to beat the SDLT exemption deadline on 31st March 2025. In previous years the firm has introduced reduced fees for first time buyers and a commitment to ‘can its fees’ if clients’ property purchases […]
Conveyancing Association Lender Survey launched – have your say
The Conveyancing Association (CA) has launched its 2025 Lender Survey in an effort to gather feedback from the profession on areas which might potentially cause issues between property market stakeholders. The focus of this years’ survey is looking at ways to improve collaboration between surveyors, valuers, valuation panels, valuation software providers, RICS, and lenders, and […]
PLS Solicitors expands with new offices in North and South
Manchester-based PLS Solicitors has announced it has launched offices in the North East and South East of England to capitalise on its growing market share in the regions. The offices add to the firm’s existing footprint in Manchester, Liverpool and London and represents a significant milestone in the firm’s continued growth and commitment to delivering unparalleled […]
Interview: Janine Wellington takes the reins at Convey Law
Janine Wellington has been appointed as Managing Director of Newport-based Convey Law, taking the reins from outgoing MD and founder Lloyd Davies. No stranger to a challenge, having worked as a specialist residential and commercial Conveyancer for over 25 years, Janine has sizeable shoes to fill in Davies who recently oversaw the firm’s 20th birthday […]
Land Registry workers will not cover for colleagues during industrial action starting 21st January 2025
HM Land Registry (HMLR) staff who voted to take industrial action in response to the Government’s directive to return to working in the office for 60% of their working time have said they will not cover for colleagues or take on extra work out of their job description or pay grade from 21st January 2025. […]
Bell Lamb & Joynson celebrate success in 2024
Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors, who say they are one of the UK’s longest-established law firms, say they are thrilled to announce a “stellar year of growth, innovation and recognition”. With “record-breaking financial results and significant accomplishments across all practice areas, the firm continues to solidify its position as a leader in legal services”. The […]
PEXA appoints new UK Chief Technology Officer to support rollout in 2025
PEXA has announced the appointment of Nitesh Thadani to the role of UK Chief Technology Officer to drive the ongoing development and rollout of its technology platform in 2025. Thadani, ‘a long-time advocate of a digitised property transaction process’, brings more than 20 years of experience in his field. He combines an expertise in fintech […]