LMS is latest company to join the Conveyancing Association
Conveyancing technology platform LMS is the latest company to join the growing ranks of the Conveyancing Association, signing up as an affiliate member this week. The technology company works with over 4,000 law firms and includes some of the UK’s largest lenders and conveyancing firms within its network. With over 30 years of experience, LMS […]
All change at Cumbria law firm as managing partner retires after decade at the helm
Cumbria-based Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors has announced managing director Peter Stafford will retire at the end of September, concluding more than 25 years with the firm and a decade as managing partner. Stafford will be succeeded by Joanne Stronach, currently a director and head of employment and HR at Cartmell Shepherd. Stronach’s appointment has received the […]
New Homes Accelerator kickstarts building of 100,000 new homes
The New Homes Accelerator, launched last year to remove barriers to homebuilding, has enabled the building of almost 100,000 new homes across England, the government has announced. The team behind the specialist programme have helped speed up the delivery of 36,000 new homes by intervening through targeted support including providing local areas with additional planning […]
Public/private partnerships to help with AI-driven home moving
The government is inviting private companies specialising in building technology solutions which incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) to work collaboratively to ‘transform public services’. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has launched an initial set of priority AI exemplar projects set to show how AI can help to transform public services to make people’s lives easier and […]
NHBC report sets out quality guidelines amid 1.5m new homes drive
The NHBC Foundation has published a new report to highlight the importance of quality during the planning and build process, as the government strives to meet its 1.5 million new homes target. Maintaining quality in the design and construction of 1.5 million homes is the result of a roundtable event with 16 industry stakeholders from […]
Rightmove CEO urges government to ‘carefully consider’ property tax changes amid doubts over financial benefits
Rightmove has asked the government to carefully consider the impact of any changes to property taxation to avoid risking disruption to the housing market. The property platform has analysed the impact of the proposed national property tax and so-called mansion tax, and warns that any buyer savings would be wiped out by sellers increasing asking […]
DPMSG report finds ‘significant inefficiencies’ in property transaction process
A report commissioned by the Digital Property Market Steering Group (DPMSG) has identified ‘numerous opportunities for improvement’ in the property transaction process. The Data Standards Report Spring 2025, produced by digital insight company TPXimpact and published earlier this month, describes ‘significant inefficiencies’ in the current system, including at least eight parties for each transaction, 130 documents […]
MHCLG staff to strike after Rayner ‘refuses to meet employees’
Over 1,180 Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) members in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) will strike in September over office closures, recruitment strategy and attendance policies rolled out by the department without union consultation. The strike will take place on 1st September, the day ministers return from parliamentary recess. Further […]
Higgs strikes private equity deal with view to expansion
Midlands law firm Higgs has secured backing from August Equity, making it the first legal firm in the investor’s 48-strong portfolio. The Dudley-based firm, established in the Black Country in 1875, has 28 partners, 250 employees and a reported turnover of £20 million in the year to November 2023. Last year, Higgs acquired insolvency boutique […]
LMS remortgage snapshot ‘signals shift in borrower behaviour’
The latest remortgage snapshot from LMS shows a substantial rise in completions in July, which the national conveyancing service provider says signals a shift in borrower behaviour. The number of completed deals has increased by 71% since June, with two-year terms edging ahead of five. Last month, 45% of borrowers opted for five-years, with 43% […]
Knights establishes first Welsh office with Cardiff-based team
The latest acquisition by Knights has seen the expanding law firm establish its first office in Wales, following a deal to purchase Cardiff-based Le Gros Solicitors and hire a team of South Wales-based property lawyers. Six commercial and residential property specialists will join the Knights team from Le Gros, including former managing partner Claudia Le […]
HMLR unveils digital registration service to LSSA members
The new digital registration service being launched by HM Land Registry has been unveiled at a meeting of the Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA), ahead of its planned launch in October. The new service will apply stricter automated checks to incoming applications and accept only valid and correct entries, with the aim of significantly reducing […]
Legal marketing company launches content service for law firms
Professional services marketing company Consortium has launched a subscription-based content service for law firms. The Content Club will provide ready-to-publish content aimed at maintaining a consistent online presence and enhancing visibility for legal service providers. The SEO-optimised content will be reviewed by solicitors, offering proof-read, fact-checked legally accurate content in related to family law, residential […]
Singer Heather Small and The Bootleg Beatles to headline inaugural Sort Ball
M People singer Heather Small and tribute band The Bootleg Beatles will headline the inaugural Sort Ball, a black-tie gala event for property, legal and financial services professionals. Small is best known for her powerful vocals on hits including Moving on Up, One Night in Heaven and Search for the Hero with the M People, […]
Government environmental reforms ‘will break planning system gridlock’
The government has announced a series of environmental planning reforms to accelerate infrastructure delivery and homebuilding while safeguarding the environment. The reforms will be backed by a £500 million budget, which includes funding for the government’s flagship Nature Restoration and Marine Recovery Fund schemes and funding to build capacity in the planning system. ‘This will […]
Newbuilds still out of reach for many despite significant price drops in most regions
The average price for newbuild properties has dropped significantly in many regions of the UK, with London properties falling by over £122,000 within the last year. But with the average price for a newbuild standing at around £427,000, affordability remains a challenge for many potential buyers. The latest Quarterly Newbuilds Price Index released by Propertymark […]
Homeowners increasingly prioritising refinancing over moving
The number of homeowners choosing to refinance instead of move house is increasing, with data from Twenty7tec revealing remorgaging figures are almost level with those buying a new home. In July, the mortgage tech company’s advisers handled 885,774 remortgage searches compared with 938,060 purchase searches – taking remortgage searches to 94% of purchase volumes. In […]
RICS collaborates with CISL to promote sustainable built environment
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) have announced a partnership geared towards achieving a sustainable, resilient and inclusive built and natural environment. The collaboration will focus on building capacity for change among the 150,000 members of RICS, with online learning delivered through CISL’s eight […]
PEXA marks UK launch with September roadshows
PEXA is officially launching its digital property exchange platform in the UK with a series of roadshows throughout September. As well as introducing the full platform proposition, the launch will bring together industry leaders in each region to explore the themes currently impacting the housing market. The roadshow will visit Leeds (9th September), Manchester (10th) […]
tmGroup appoints former CoStar MD as new CEO
tmGroup has announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer effective Monday 18th August. Matthew Green joins the conveyancing search and technology provider from global commercial real estate information, analytics and online marketplace CoStar Group, owner of property search portal OnTheMarket. With 21 years’ service, Green most recently served as European managing director for […]