Solicitor warns TA6 changes will slow conveyancing process
A new Property Information Form (TA6) being trialled by a working group of conveyancers will cause confusion and create delays, a solicitor has warned. The new form is being designed to give buyers more information at the start of the process, with the aim of reducing the number of enquiries raised by the buyer’s conveyancing […]
Are you leaving your purchase customer at risk?
Most people would agree that ‘increasing automation’, ‘reducing transaction timescales’ and ‘lowering costs’ are all noble goals which are difficult to object to in any industry. However, in a world where lenders are central to the process that purchase conveyancing clients must navigate, there is a rapidly growing possibility the individual client risk is increasing, […]
Are some firms seeing AML fines as just a ‘cost of doing business’?
The Solicitors Regulations Authority (SRA) has spent much of 2025 levying increasingly sizeable fines on law firms that have failed to comply with their regulatory responsibilities under the Money Laundering Regulations. In recent weeks we have seen fines of £120,000, £80,000 and £64,000 for non-compliance over numerous years with the SRA’s Codes of Conduct and […]
Sales progression, chain management, and the road ahead
David Opie hosts the latest episode of the Today’s Conveyancer Podcast, featuring guest Nick Huntley, Commercial Director at Rello. With extensive experience across estate agency, property portals, and conveyancing technology, Nick offers a wealth of knowledge on sales progression and chain management. The discussion explores Rello’s innovative approach to streamlining home-moving transactions, combining experienced professionals with […]
How to build a conveyancing team from the ground up
Building a team isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about creating a culture, setting a tone, and developing something people genuinely want to be part of. That’s exactly the opportunity I saw when I joined Movera to lead the new Cardiff office. After more than a decade in conveyancing—first as a solicitor, then in deputy and […]
The evolving threat of identity fraud
In this episode of the Today’s Conveyancer podcast, host David Opie welcomes Gavin Burton, Co-founder and trainer at Beruku Knowledge, to discuss the evolving threats of identity fraud, deep fakes, and artificial intelligence in the legal sector. With a distinguished 26-year career in the Metropolitan Police, Gavin led a specialised team focused on ID fraud, […]
Leaseholders worried by ‘excruciatingly slow’ progress on reform, says expert
‘Excruciatingly slow’ progress on leasehold reform is creating unnecessary costs and delays for leaseholders, an expert has warned. Linz Darlington, founder of leasehold extension specialists Homehold, says the lack of progress on the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act – which remains largely unenforced despite receiving Royal Assent over a year ago – is a worrying […]
Material Information guidance withdrawn but the responsibilities remain for conveyancers
The recent withdrawal of the National Trading Standards’ Material Information (MI) guidance has understandably created some confusion and concern across the property industry. While the guidance that helped clarify agents’ obligations under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 has been removed, it is essential for conveyancers, estate agents and other stakeholders to understand […]
As the Law Society marks its bicentenary, president Richard Atkinson reflects on 200 years of diversity
A letter from Richard Atkinson, president of the Law Society of England and Wales At a time when it feels equality, diversity and inclusion policies in law firms and elsewhere are under attack from across the pond, the Law Society of England and Wales is celebrating 200 years of diverse voices in law. By no […]
Conveyancers role is not ‘to do nothing’ on climate change – reaction to Practice Note
Many thousands of hours have gone into the Law Society’s Climate Change Practice Note (PN) which has been ‘deeply considered’ and recognises the ‘limited’ role conveyancers have to play in climate change. The note itself highlights ‘solicitors are not qualified to advise on physical risks’ adding professional indemnity insurers may not cover such advice to […]
Climate change obligations hotting up for property lawyers
In the wake of the much anticipated Climate Change Practice Note published by the Law Society this week Dan Montagnani, former CEO of Groundsure and an advisor and consultant to the geospatial, sustainability and conveyancing search industries gives his thoughts on the implications for property lawyers Publication of The Law Society Climate Change Risk […]
Diary of a High Street Conveyancer – Would you want this client?
I come back to one of my favourite topics this week – fees! Here is an outline of a telephone conversation I had with a prospective client this week Client: Hello; you wanted me to call you so that you could discuss the costs and the services you can provide so go ahead, tell me […]
What is meant by ‘modernising’ the home move?
Since Labour came to power 12 months ago they have made home ownership one of their key messages. The headlines have focused on their ambitions to build 1.5m new homes over the course of this Parliament and in February they announced they would be ‘modernising’ home buying and selling process to make it fit for […]
Consolidated councils risk search delays
The Government’s drive to consolidate councils could lead to house buyers waiting longer for local searches. Merging or reorganising councils to form a single governing body is seen as a way to improve efficiency and streamline administration. For example, in 2023 four district councils – Mendip, Sedgemoor, Somerset West & Taunton and South Somerset merged […]
Conveyancing: The Cinderella Service of the UK Property Market
Conveyancing is a key component of the UK property market, yet it’s often overlooked. Once a cornerstone of legal work, its role has morphed over decades, with increasing responsibility laid at the conveyancers’ door. Add to that, today, fewer professionals remain, frequently managing stress and unremitting downwards pressure on fees. In the 1960s, conveyancing was […]