Threefold increase in solicitors seeking help, Solicitors Charity report finds
Three times as many solicitors sought help with their wellbeing last year than three years ago and increasing numbers of them are women, according to a new report. The Solicitors’ Charity’s Big Report 2025–2026 highlights what it says is increasing demand due to more complex issues related to overlapping pressures across financial, emotional, professional and […]
Conveyancers suspected of dishonesty face action by regulators warns HMLR
Conveyancers suspected of dishonesty could face action by regulators, HM Land Registry (HMLR) has warned. In a blog published on the HLMR website, assistant land registrar Serene Rollins said manipulating or re-using signatures, repeated failures to check deeds, and misrepresenting oneself as a legal professional were among the issues that could prompt referral to a […]
Property market finely poised as sales grow but fewer buyers than 12 months ago
Property portal Zoopla says sales agreed are 1% up on the same time last year despite buyer demand being 10% down; the first positive sales agreed figure of 2026. As the property market moves toward toward the busy summer season, Zoopla says “browsers and those sensitive to higher borrowing costs” are less active in the […]
Home Affairs committee slams ‘botched’ digital ID progress
The government’s efforts to introduced digital ID checks have been “rushed, poorly thought out and failed to make a convincing case for the introduction of digital ID,” according to a Home Affairs Committee report. Although the committee said it welcomed the decision to drop mandatory use of ID cards, it said it feared much damage […]
Date set for £1.5bn Rightmove overcharging claim
A November court date has been set for the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s case against Rightmove, which has been accused of “abusing its dominant market position” by charging “excessive and unfair” subscription fees. First reported in November 2025, Rightmove is the subject of a £1.5 billion class action from estate agents and house builders who claim the […]
Tech round-up: Firms launch compliance, verification, searches and chat tools
With legal technology developing at pace, Today’s Conveyancer brings all the latest innovation together in a regular round up of news, updates and upgrades for conveyancing firms. Here, in the first of what will be a regular look at all the latest tech news and developments that impact conveyancing practice, we share the latest news […]
Next generation of conveyancers graduate from specialist programmes
The next generation of conveyancers have taken part in graduation ceremonies after completing specialist programmes with Simply Conveyancing and Convey Law. Five trainees from Convey Law’s Conveyancing Pathway programme (pictured above) have graduated and will progress to managing their own caseloads within the firm. The Conveyancing Pathway programme delivers a blended learning approach over 12 […]
Winners of inaugural Conveyancing Awards celebrate success
The Conveyancing Awards has revealed its winners, with individuals and firms recognised in 21 categories. Hosted by comedian and writer Lou Sanders at The Londoner Hotel, the awards saw 300 professionals from conveyancing firms, legal practices, house builders and proptech gather to celebrate the property sector. “Many congratulations to our winning individuals, teams and businesses […]
Next-gen NLIS to deliver wider property data benefit beyond council searches, Land Data says
Land Data, the regulator of official NLIS conveyancing searches, says the technical foundations for the trusted sharing of authoritative land and property data are now in place following completion of the initial build of Next Gen NLIS – the National Land Information Service hub. NLIS was launched in 2001 to provide a single point of […]
Couple who claimed LPE1 answers scared off buyers face £180,000 court costs
A couple who said that their freeholder’s answers on an LPE1 had scared off buyers are facing a £180,000 bill after a judge rejected their claim. Prof Daslav Brkic (pictured outside court) and his wife Paola Salmoria told Central London County Court that their freeholder and upstairs neighbour, Douglas Palin, had caused offers for their […]
Law Society calls for clear plan to roll out ombudsman’s new complaints model
The Law Society of England and Wales has welcomed the Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO) proposed model complaints resolution procedure (MCRP), but warned the organisation must be clear on how the strategy will be rolled out. Last month, LeO launched a call for input on its draft MCRP, a new framework aimed at improving the consistency and […]
Bracknell Forest now able to offer personal searches with council searches to follow
Bracknell Forest Council is able to begin work on the backlog of searches it has received since the implementation of a new IT system rendered their search services inoperable. In an update released last week, the council said it is testing a “workaround” that will allow it to issue personal searches, which had successfully issued […]
Firms go extra mile with charity and wellbeing initiatives
Conveyancers have been focusing their efforts on fundraising and wellbeing initiatives in recent weeks, raising both money and awareness for good causes. Simplify’s conveyancing and property services operations teams have raised more than £7,000 for the Simplify Charitable Trust by climbing England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike (pictured). The 40-strong team said they enjoyed a strong […]
Homes England achieves highest number of completions since 2020
Homes England has achieved its highest number of housing completions since the start of the global pandemic, despite just missing the government’s annual target. In the year 2025/26, the housing and regeneration agency completed more than 40,200 homes, just shy of its government target of 41,500, according to provisional figures. This year’s completions are up […]
Conference to share insight for vital SME law firm market
A conference focused on small and mid-sized law firms is being run by Consortium, more than marketing, in an effort to inform firms in this vital area of the legal service market. Small and mid-sized law firms are the “backbone” of the UK legal sector explained Consortium; employing the majority of practising solicitors, serving millions […]
Technology platform launches to pre-validate post completion submissions and reduce requisitions
A new legal technology platform designed to help conveyancers identify registration issues before applications are submitted to HM Land Registry (HMLR) is readying for launch with a free initial pilot open to interested conveyancers. RegLand has been built to help conveyancers with avoidable requisitions, missing evidence and registration delays when submitting to HMLR acting as […]
Firms strengthen conveyancing teams across the country with new hires and promotions
Conveyancers and residential property solicitors have been celebrating their career successes this month, with firms announcing a raft of promotions and new appointments. Steele Raymond has strengthened its Southampton presence with the appointment of a four-strong New Homes team (pictured above). Natalie Marsh (legal director), Charlotte Goodson (senior associate), Jodie Coy (associate) and Kirsten Wickham (senior […]
All change at the top for AIIC
AIIC, the legal group behind law firms Taylor Rose, FDR Law and Kingsley Wood, has announced several leadership changes to define clearer separation between group‑level leadership and the leadership of Taylor Rose. Adrian Jaggard (pictured) has stepped down as CEO of Taylor Rose to focus exclusively on his role as CEO of AIIC Group. Antony […]
New public interest ombudsman decisions reveal ‘serious failings’
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has published its latest raft of public interest decisions, revealing “serious failings in the delivery of legal services”. The six new decisions reveal that failures to provide clear advice, carry out essential checks and manage cases effectively have led to tangible and, in some instances, irreversible consequences for the individuals involved. […]
Fall-throughs costing home movers as much as £2bn, OPDA says
Failed house moves could be costing the economy almost £2 billion every year, according to new research published by the Open Property Data Association (OPDA), with many collapses occurring after the offer has been accepted. According to OPDA’s research, 58% of home moves fall through after offer acceptance. Santander’s Fixing the Broken Chain calculated an […]