Escaping the compliance money pit: An integrated path to reducing personal indemnity insurance costs
Compliance has become a black hole for time and money. Almost £40bn – equating to around 1.5% of GDP – is spent annually just on complying with money laundering regulations. With every incremental change to the rules, whether AML, sanctions screening or customer data protection, law firms are forced to stitch together a patchwork of […]
As high street law evolves, data becomes increasingly important
The face of the high street lawyer is changing. Over the last decade, the number of sole practitioners has dropped from 27% to 16%, while incorporated companies have increased from 36% to 57% over the same period. While the change in status may be attributed simply to a more efficient or convenient operating structure for […]
Later life living – turning a corner for investors?
By 2072, almost 30% of Britons will be aged 65 or over. This stark demographic shift is already taking shape, with profound implications for the housing market. Despite an estimated shortfall of at least 4.3 million in the UK today, less than 1 million are specifically designed for later life living, and this figure excludes […]
How conveyancers can gain the edge through smarter collaboration with surveyors
In today’s housing market, clients expect speed, lenders demand certainty, and conveyancers are under pressure to deliver both while reducing risk. Transactions are becoming more complex, yet buyers often underestimate the importance of a professional survey – believing the lender’s valuation or automated check is enough. This misconception can create both risk for your client […]
Why culture is the true driver of commercial success
When I reflect on the past four years, I don’t just think about the growth figures, though they matter. I think about the people behind them. Setting up a new region from scratch, bringing nearly 500 brokers on board, and building trusted relationships—these outcomes weren’t delivered by process alone. They were built by a team […]
Leasehold reforms are causing upheaval: Here’s how conveyancers should respond
Implementation of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, one of the largest ever changes to the way conveyancers and landlords operate in this area, is underway. The first stages of the bill have been implemented, with others coming down the track. Consultation on measures to strengthen leaseholder protections over charges and services and regulation of […]
‘An issue since the 1970s’ – Eddie Goldsmith responds to Smoove’s conveyancing research
Having previously set up and run one of the biggest conveyancing practices in the UK, I set up YouConvey four years ago to address exactly the issues raised in this article. I am delighted to add my comments and observations on what is unfortunately a running sore for the conveyancing industry and has been a […]
Have some conveyancers lost the art of taking instructions?
In a profession built on precision, trust, and the clear relay of legal advice, an unsettling trend may be emerging, conveyancers making transaction related decisions without first advising and consulting with their clients. Time and again, conveyancers find themselves deep into a matter, only to hit an infuriating wall, responses from the opposing conveyancer who […]
How to stabilise the property market: an open letter to Rachel Reeves
Dear Chancellor Reeves, As you prepare your crucial autumn budget, we urge you to deliver measures that will stabilise the property market in the short term while laying foundations for long-term economic resilience and growth. The housing market has been stagnant for much of this year, with developers, investors, and consumers adopting a cautious “wait […]
Conditional selling… do unto others as you would have them do unto you
The recent Panorama investigation into the behaviour of some estate agents has reignited public concern about unethical practices in the property industry. While the revelations have shocked many, the uncomfortable truth is that such behaviour is far from new, and in some cases, it has been quietly embedded in the industry for decades. Nostalgia often […]
The price of ‘efficiency’: What referral deals don’t say out loud
The recent BBC Panorama investigation into estate agency referral practices brought public attention to a structural issue that conveyancers have understood for years. The programme featured the sale of a residential property where one buyer, who had agreed to use the estate agent’s in-house mortgage and conveyancing services, appeared to be given preferential treatment. Another […]
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 […]
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 […]