AML solution Click2Check is latest OPDA member
Click2Check, a credit and anti-money laundering check and Open Banking provider, is the newest member of the Open Property Data Association (OPDA). Designed for solicitors, estate agents, financial advisers and mortgage intermediaries, Click2Check provides a client’s credit report, digital anti-money laundering and identity verification reports, and Open Banking transactional data reports in one place. The […]
Building Societies Association launches growth plan to boost home ownership
The Building Societies Association has launched a growth plan to help boost financial resilience across the UK and expand home ownership. The plan calls on government and regulators to improve access to mutual capital by removing barriers that prevent building societies from financing growth and innovation, and to introduce appropriate capital regulations that reflect the […]
Compliance software provider Legl joins Conveyancing Association as affiliate member
Legl has joined The Conveyancing Association (CA) as an affiliate member. The award-winning software platform enables law firms to manage processes from client onboarding, to AML risk and compliance and compliant cash collection. As an affiliate member of the CA, Legl will have the opportunity to participate in member meetings, events and online sessions, as […]
Law Society research lays bare shocking scale of threats and abuse against solicitors
Research by the Law Society of England and Wales has laid bare the levels of threats faced by solicitors, with half of those interviewed for the research reporting threats or abuse related to their work in the last 12 months. The survey of 286 Law Society members, carried out in August, revealed ‘an alarmingly high’ […]
Almost a third of firms have reduced avoidable requisitions since receiving HMLR figures
Almost a third (29%) of HM Land Registry customers have reduced their avoidable requisitions since law firms received their figures individually six months ago. A fifth of customers now have an avoidable requisition rate under 1%. In May, HMLR said it would give firms the percentage of their requisitions that could have been avoided before […]
LSB seeks feedback on encouraging diversity in legal sector
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has shared new proposals that aim to support equality and diversity in the legal profession and is inviting feedback from across the sector. The proposals would replace existing guidance published in 2017 and amended in 2020, setting out a new framework for regulators to drive consistent improvement across the sector. The consultation – open now until 2 March – […]
Law Society responds to budget: ‘Legal sector won’t face damaging tax hikes’
The Law Society of England and Wales says it is ‘pleased the UK government has listened to its concerns and will not be imposing a damaging tax on limited liability partnerships’. The legal sector is ‘a global powerhouse’ worth almost £60 billion and employing more than half a million people, connecting ‘every part of the […]
The Conveyancing Association to hold online roundtable to gather home buying consultation responses
The Conveyancing Association (CA) will hold an online roundtable on 3 December 2025 to secure feedback for the government’s consultations on home buying reform and material information. The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) is seeking industry feedback on its planned home buying reforms, which aim to reduce delays, fall-throughs and uncertainty in […]
CLC launches accelerated qualification for experienced fee earners
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers’ (CLC) has launched an accelerated route to qualification for fee earners with experience in conveyancing and probate. The ‘professional experience’ route allows fee earners to bypass the Level 4 Diploma, which qualifies them as a conveyancing or probate technician, and progress directly to the Level 6 Diploma, after which they […]
Credas joins OPDA in support of ‘transparent and trusted’ housing market
Digital identity verification provider Credas has joined the Open Property Data Association (OPDA), saying they are looking forward to playing a role in creating a more transparent housing market. Credas provides digital services to conveyancers and estate agents, including ID and AML checks, financial evidence gathering and identification of high risk customers. The Cardiff-based company says […]
Law Society launches new EDI strategy
The Law Society of England and Wales has launched a new equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy for the solicitors’ profession. The strategy forms a key part of the Law Society’s 2025-2028 corporate strategy and promotes a more diverse, open and inclusive profession. The strategy is the result of a robust foundation of member engagement, […]
LeO reveals ‘significant rise’ in demand for help, with conveyancing receiving most complaints
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has released its annual complaints data and insight for 2024/25, which reveals an increase in demand for help that has continued to rise significantly in the first half of 2025/26. Residential conveyancing topped the lists of complaints in all areas, including highest volume of complaints accepted, largest incidences of evidence of […]
Office for Legal Complaints seeks feedback on ‘ambitious’ LeO business plan and budget
The Office for Legal Complaints (OLC) has published the Legal Ombudsman’s draft 2026/27 business plan and budget, marking the final year of its 2024-27 strategy. The ‘ambitious’ plan has been drafted in response to record complaint volumes and sets out ‘a bold agenda for transformation’, the OLC said, adding: “LeO is receiving unprecedented numbers of complaints […]
SRA ‘proud of AML progress’ ahead of FCA handover, as annual report reveals a third of assessed firms were non-compliant
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has released its Anti-Money Laundering Annual Report for 2024-25, a year in which the organisation says it made significant progress in preventing and detecting money laundering. With the government recently announcing the responsibility for overseeing anti-money laundering regulations will pass to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the SRA’s chief executive […]
Confidence in property market slumps amid budget uncertainty, CLC finds
Research from the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) reveals confidence in the housing market has fallen to its lowest level this year, which it says is triggered by uncertainty over the impending autumn budget. Three quarters of respondents to the CLC’s quarterly survey, launched at the start of this year to monitor the mood of […]
One in three ‘have given up on homeownership’ – BSA
Nearly one in three (29%) people who want to buy a home believe they will never be able to, according to new research from the Building Societies Association (BSA). The BSA’s latest property tracker survey suggests millions of would-be buyers have resigned to a lifetime of renting, blaming affordability challenges. Six in ten (58%) first-time […]
OPDA teams up with the SLC to drive collaboration and advance digital transformation
The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC), formalising a new partnership designed to promote closer collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the two organisations and the broader property sector. The MoU sets out a shared commitment between the two organisations to advance the digital […]
‘Increasingly standard’ climate risk reports can’t be avoided in conveyancing, Law Society panel says
Future climate risk reports are becoming increasingly standard in homebuying reports, according to practitioners working at the forefront of the field. In a plenary session at the Law Society Property Conference on Wednesday, Keith Davidson, partner at Irwin Mitchell, Sarah Sargent, partner and head of residential property at Flint Bishop, and panel chair Warren Gordon, […]
CLC publishes 11 principles for use of AI, with detailed guidance
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has published its first AI and Technology Principles and Guidance, released to coincide with AI Week. Developed collaboratively by the CLC’s AI and Technology Working Group, the 11 principles reflect extensive input from across the sector, including probate and conveyancing practices, lenders, insurers and technology providers. Informed by the Legal Services […]
Sarah Sackman KC MP and Judge Fiona Monk to speak at CILEX Conference
CILEX has confirmed the speaking line up for its annual conference taking place on Thursday 13 November in Birmingham. FutureLegal 2025 takes place at the Birmingham Conference and Events Centre, and brings together the CILEX membership community, including paralegals, chartered legal executives, CILEX lawyers and legal professionals from across the sector for a day of […]