SLC issues new climate change client guide
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has issued a new client guide on the effects of climate change, which it says will help conveyancing clients to help source information and expert advice. The guide follows the release of the Law Society’s recent practice note, which outlines the expectations on property lawyers when it comes to […]
e4 Strategic joins OPDA to support streamlining of property data
Digital solutions provider e4 Strategic has joined the Open Property Data Association (OPDA) to support the streamlining of property data between conveyancers, lenders and other stakeholders in the homebuying process. The company, which recently launched digital conveyancing platform VERSA, said OPDA’s goals ‘fit perfectly’ with its mission to improve digital solutions and infrastructure in the […]
Law Society ‘disappointed’ with HM Treasury’s money laundering consultation response
As the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s AML enforcement team continues its crackdown on regulation breaches, the Law Society of England and Wales has said it is ‘disappointed’ with the government’s response to the 2024 consultation on Money Laundering Regulations. In the foreword to the response – published last month – economic secretary to the Treasury Emma […]
Legal Ombudsman shares enhanced guidance on remedies for earlier complaint resolution
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) has published enhanced guidance on remedies that sets out five questions to assess whether a remedy is appropriate. The updated guidance is aimed at supporting service providers to identify and apply appropriate resolutions at an earlier stage and has been issued in response to findings from the 2024/2025 financial year. Many […]
CLC publishes new Risk Agenda, with a focus on ethics and a warning against post-completion ‘slacking’
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has published its Risk Agenda for 2025, which encourages conveyancers to focus on ethics and ethical conduct. The CLC has also warned against treating post-completion HM Land Registry applications ‘as an afterthought’. The new Risk Agenda underlines ‘the fundamental importance’ of ethics and ethical conduct, and sets out what the […]
Changes to first-tier complaints requirements risks ‘over-regulation’ – The Law Society
Proposed changes to first-tier complaints handling, which could include requirements to publish complaints information to clients in a ‘clear, accessible and prominent place’ on firms’ websites, have been criticised by The Law Society. Responding to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s ‘Changing our requirements on first-tier complaints’ consultation which runs until 1st August, Law Society president Richard […]
‘Why the rush?’ HomeOwners Alliance has ‘serious concerns’ over CMA’s £100m proposal for house builders
The HomeOwners Alliance has said it has ‘serious concerns’ about the Competition and Markets Authority’s proposed £100 million settlement with seven major house builders, and has asked the authority to explain why it has not pursued a fuller investigation. In an official response to the CMA’s consultation on the matter, the HomeOwners Alliance has questioned […]
Law Society recommends 2.45% salary increase for trainee lawyers
The Law Society of England and Wales has recommended a 2.45% salary increase for aspiring solicitors, in line with the Consumer Price Index 12-month rolling inflation rate. The increase, which is not a regulatory requirement but ‘a matter of voluntary good practice’, means trainee solicitors outside of London should be paid £24,916 and £28,090 in […]
Enquiries tool launches with ambitions to ‘raise the right enquiries, right from the beginning’
A new tool which aims to ‘raise the right enquiries, right from the beginning’ has been launched by conveyancing technology provider InfoTrack. The firm, which is celebrating 10 years in England and Wales, says the new software called Enquiries, analyses data from Title Registers, TA forms, search results and LPE1s to suggest matter-specific enquiries. Enquiries […]
FCA simplifies remortgage rules
Borrowers will find it easier to remortgage under changes announced by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), in a package of measures designed to help people navigate their financial lives and support economic growth. The measures are part of a series of reforms the regulator is undertaking to ensure more people can benefit from choice in […]
LSB committed to addressing ‘persistent and deeply concerning’ unmet legal need
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has set out the actions it took in 2024/25 to enable legal services for the public, and says it will continue to address ‘the persistent and deeply concerning level of unmet legal need across England and Wales’. In its annual report published this week, the regulator has reviewed its performance […]
InTouch joins Conveyancing Association as affiliate member
Cloud-based conveyancing case management platform InTouch has joined the Conveyancing Association (CA) an affiliate member, the CA has announced. The membership will give InTouch a range of benefits and opportunities including the use of CA branding, attendance and networking at member and online meetings, access to member firms and advertising. The InTouch platform is used […]
HMLR beat March 25 deadline for 95% submission turnaround within 12 months
HM Land Registry (HMLR) say they have beaten their self-imposed March 2025 deadline to process 95% of all applications within 12 months of submission; evidence of the progress they have made in the years since COVID-19 and the sizeable backlogs that ensued. The achievement was highlighted in the recently published 2024/25 Annual Report and Accounts […]
CLC to launch thematic review into referral fees
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has announced it will conduct a thematic review into referral fees in the wake of the recently aired BBC Panorama documentary on conditional selling. In a statement on its website, the regulator said the programme had: “…highlighted serious concerns about conditional selling and the questionable sales tactics of certain […]
‘High risk’ legal services NRA classification not proportionate, Law Society claims
The newly published UK National Risk Assessment (NRA) of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing has been greeted with disappointment by the Law Society of England and Wales, with president Richard Atkinson pointing out the lack of prosecutions in the so-called ‘high risk’ legal sector. The 2025 NRA, produced by HM Treasury and the Home Office, […]
Vast majority of conveyancers ‘not confident’ in sales process
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is urging practices to engage with opportunities to improve conveyancing transactions, after it emerged that a significant majority of conveyancers do not feel confident in the process. The CLC’s third quarterly Confidence Tracker has revealed that 85% of respondents feel unconfident or neutral about the sales process, with […]
CLC seeks views on regulatory fees
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is seeking views on regulatory fees and fee rates for the licence year beginning 1 November 2025. While individual practising certificate fees will remain unchanged (having been frozen for over ten years, amounting to a real-terms cut), the CLC proposes to increase practice fee rates by 3% to take […]
Land Registry industrial action ends as ‘members win major concessions’
Long-running industrial action has ended after Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) members won major concessions over office attendance, individual performance data and plans to downgrade work, the union has announced. Members have voted 86.4% in favour of accepting a settlement negotiated by union officials with Land Registry management, ending the formal dispute at the […]
Simon Hayes to depart HM Land Registry
HM Land Registry Chief Executive Simon Hayes will depart the organisation in September to take up a role with Sport England after six years in post. With an extensive background in the civil service since 1997, holding several positions across police, criminal justice and immigration policy, Hayes became chief of staff for the UK Border […]
Enquiries management tool branches out into document review
Legal technology platform Legalito, which has predominantly focused on managing pre-contract enquiries between conveyancing firms to date, has announced it is introducing a new document review element to its offering. Legalito was launched by Peter Ambrose, Managing Director of conveyancing ABS The Partnership, borne out of his frustrations in managing the lengthening enquiries process. According […]