EPC reforms delayed until 2027
The government has delayed the launch of its Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) reforms until the second half of 2027 but said it “continues to work at pace to deliver reformed domestic EPCs”. “Following engagement with industry on the delivery timeline, we have decided to move the launch of the reforms to the second half of […]
Government digital verification guidance must be clearer say legaltech firms
Legaltech firms say more clarity is needed from new government guidance around digital verification services. The Digital Verification Services (DVS) Trust Framework 1.0 and accompanying Money Laundering Regulations (MLR) guidance were developed to draw a clear line between compliant and non-compliant services. Jointly published by HM Treasury and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology […]
SMEs would bear the brunt of proposals to fund access to justice through client accounts – CILEX
Small to medium sized law firms could be unfairly and disproportionately penalised under Ministry of Justice (MoJ) plans to redistribute interest from client accounts to fund access to justice, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) claims. The proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts (ILCA) would represent a “further tax and compliance burden which could […]
Conveyancing caseloads grow as market consolidation eases, report finds
The latest research from property legal tech firm Search Acumen points to an elevated number of property transactions for Q4 2025, which the company says signals renewed confidence in the property sector following years of volatility. Consolidation among law firms has notably levelled off, Search Acumen says, reflecting the sector’s growing capacity to absorb increased caseloads and adapt to evolving […]
Housing market regaining momentum but affordability still stretched – Halifax
The housing market has built on a steady start to the year in February and conditions are gradually improving, according to the latest house price index from Halifax. Although affordability remains a challenge for many, particularly those without financial support from family, the latest figures suggest the market has regained some momentum, Halifax head of […]
SRA pays out £9m to ‘most urgent’ PM Law transactions after receiving 250 applications to compensation fund
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has provided £9 million in compensation to clients of PM Law, which closed unexpectedly at the start of February. The money has been largely used to facilitate property transactions which have been delayed as a result of the closure of the Sheffield law firm and its 20-plus affiliate firms. The […]
Second consecutive year of growth provides cautious optimism for 2026, IRN conveyancing report suggests
The latest IRN UK Residential Conveyancing Market Report reveals the volume of residential transactions in the UK has increased for the second year running in 2025, following declines in 2022 and 2023. The residential conveyancing market registered market value growth of 7.0% in 2025 and is forecast to grow by 6.1% in 2026. The sector […]
Local Land Charges programme completion date pushed back to end of 2028
HM Land Registry has pushed back the completion date of its Local Land Charges programme to the end of 2028, citing the complexity of transforming fragmented data while upholding the highest standards. “The integrity of the register must always take priority over the speed of migrations,” HMLR said. The change to the programme completion dates […]
National Conveyancing Month – What’s coming up in week two
With National Conveyancing Month well underway, week two promises to deliver more insight and value for conveyancers. The highlight of the first week was a panel discussion hosted by Alex Holt of Cashroom, discussing pricing and fee structures designed to move away from the race to the bottom. The panel – Toni Wensley, partner at […]
Enquiries guidance document updated to include TA6 sixth edition amends
A guidance document outlining recommendations on what might constitute unnecessary enquiries has been updated in the wake of a finalised sixth edition of the TA6 Property Information Form. The TA6 which formally replaces the existing fourth and fifth editions on 30th March 2026. Guidance for Raising Appropriate Conveyancing Enquiries, otherwise known as the acronym GRACE, […]
Fast track route to conveyancing and probate qualification launched by CLC
A fast-track route to a conveyancing and probate qualification has been launched by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) as the regulator steps up efforts to tackle the demand for both legal services. The route to becoming a licensed practitioner now provides an exemption for those with a law degree from the Level 4 Diploma, […]
CILEX calls for more opportunities to diversify access to the legal profession
Legal regulators are not doing enough to open up the flexible pathways into a legal career that are needed to improve diversity in the sector, the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) says. The comments were made in response to the Legal Services Board’s (LSB) consultation on its draft policy statement on encouraging a diverse […]
Strong home ownership ambitions persist despite affordability challenges, study reveals
Around two thirds of UK adults surveyed for an annual lending study say they hope to purchase a property, despite ongoing financial pressures and mounting concerns about credit history. The survey of 4,000 UK adults carried out for The Pepper Money Specialist Lending Study 2025 revealed that young people are the most optimistic about stepping […]
First live TR1 completed using QES
The first live TR1 transfer deed has been submitted using a qualified electronic signature (QES), in a transaction completed by MJP Conveyancing using Veyco’s QEST platform. The deed was signed remotely using a fully verified QES and the completed TR1 has been delivered to the buyer’s solicitors for submission to HM Land Registry. The transaction […]
SRA formally censured for failures over SSB Group
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has been formally censured by the Legal Services Board (LSB) over its failure to protect consumers affected by the failure of SSB Group. The LSB’s report into the SRA’s handling of SSB Group identified “prolonged delays in identifying and responding to clear warning signs” at the firm, with the decision […]
Chancellor backs building society campaign amid first-time buyer awareness gap
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has backed the Building Societies Association’s (BSA) ‘Think Again’ campaign for aspiring homebuyers, following a meeting with 13 senior leaders from UK building societies. The chancellor (pictured) heard how building societies are supporting people with smaller deposits, complex incomes and non-traditional work patterns, and lent her support to their campaign for aspiring […]
Law Society backs LSB’s EDI plans but warns of burden on small firms
The Law Society of England and Wales has responded to the Legal Services Board’s (LSB) draft statement of policy on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), broadly supporting a strengthened regulatory approach but raising concerns about the potential impact of universal EDI reporting requirements on smaller firms. The LSB published its draft policy statement, Encouraging a […]
Legal compliance provider launches free digital identity wallet for UK consumers
Legal Brokers Ltd, a UK provider of biometric identity verification services to law firms, has launched a free digital identity wallet designed to give individuals greater control over identity verification and simplify the property transaction process. The iDWallet.com app allows users to download and retain a digital wallet at no cost. Where identity verification is […]
Nationwide’s February house price index ‘reinforces modest recovery’
The February house price index from Nationwide reinforces the view of a modest recovery following a dip at the end of last year, the building society has reported. The number of mortgages approved for house purchase are close to pre-pandemic levels, Nationwide’s chief economist Robert Gardner pointed out, with improved affordability and an easing in […]
Property industry reacts to spring forecast and ‘missed opportunity’ for stamp duty reform
Property industry reaction to the Treasury’s spring forecast has been muted, with a mix of relief at no major changes and claims of a missed opportunity for stamp duty reform. Chancellor Rachel Reeves opened her speech by insisting the government has the right economic plan for the country, which she said is even more important in […]