Misconduct reports up 58% in two years, says SRA
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has revealed a 58% increase in misconduct reports “placing significant pressure” on the number of investigations it is having to undertake. In the six months to the end of April 2026, the SRA reviewed 8,955 reports about potential misconduct (at an average of 1,493 new reports a month). This constitutes […]
Consultation on mansion tax launched as government outlines plans to raise £430m annually
The government has launched a consultation on the design and delivery of the High Value Council Tax Surcharge (HVCTS), announced in the 2025 autumn budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. In its ministerial foreword, the consultation identifies the “unjust” nature of council tax, where a “band D property in Darlington or Blackpool, today worth around £400,000, […]
Land registration: Practice guides (PG55)
Address for service (PG55) Page summary: This guide explains HM Land Registry practice about addresses for service entered in the register (practice guide 55). Change made: Section 5 has been amended to clarify the order in which postal addresses for service will appear in the register. Time updated: 6:00am, 18 May 2026
King confirms leasehold reform remains on government agenda
The King’s speech to Parliament outlining the upcoming legislative agenda has confirmed plans to continue with leasehold reform under the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill. A new Remediation Bill will include powers to make construction product manufacturers contribute toward the cost of replacing unsafe cladding. The Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Bill has been extensively previewed […]
CLC shares updated guidance on the treatment of VAT on disbursements
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has published new guidance on the correct VAT treatment of disbursements. The guidance note brings together information and resources with the aim of supporting firms in determining how to treat different disbursements for VAT purposes. As well as a revised definition of the term ‘disbursement’, the guidance note includes an outline of relevant case […]
SRA shelves CILEX transfer after four year delay
Controversial plans to transfer the regulation of Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) members to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have been shelved. The SRA, in a draft 2026-27 business plan published last week, confirmed that “some activity [it] had anticipated progressing next year will need to be paused” as it seeks to “prioritise work […]
Mansion tax law to cost estimated £400m before it comes in
The government’s mansion tax is set to cost The Treasury an estimated £400 million before money can start being collected, according to a report. A freedom of information (FoI) request made by The Times reveals the Treasury expects to lose £215 million in stamp duty by the time the tax is introduced, and a further […]
FCA to probe claims management companies over ‘poor practices’
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is launching a review of the claims management market amid concerns that consumers are being failed by some claims management companies (CMCs) and law firms. The review is intended to “look at the root causes of poor practices”, such as aggressive marketing, misleading advertising and unfair exit fees. Other concerns […]
Land registration: Practice guides (PG19)
Notices, restrictions and protection of third-party interests (PG19) Page summary: How to apply for a notice or restriction to protect a third-party interest in an estate (practice guide 19). Change made: Section 3.5.1.1 has been amended to clarify when form RX1 must be used to apply for a restriction. The updated wording confirms that an […]
Right to buy eligibility extended to 10 years as government confirms reforms
Council tenants will have to wait three times as long to be eligible to buy their homes under major Right to Buy reforms announced by the government this week. The minimum eligibility period to purchase a council-owned home will be extended from three to 10 years, while the reforms set discounts at 5% of property […]
Ipswich firm is subject of latest SRA intervention – but no reasons provided
Ross Coates Solicitors in Ipswich is the latest law firm subjected to an intervention by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, following regulatory action this week. No details for the closure have been provided by the SRA to date, other than to say it was necessary to intervene to protect client interests. Proprietor Ross Coates is also […]
LSB to ‘focus on sharper and more targeted interventions’ in response to changing regulatory environment
The Legal Services Board (LSB) is responding to a “rapidly evolving” legal sector and plans to change its approach to oversight regulation to focus efforts on “where they are most needed”, according to its business plan for 2026/27. Recently appointed LSB chair Monisha Shah said that while she will focus on discovery in her first […]
LSSA launches ESG policy to ‘support responsible innovation and trusted AI in legal technology’
The Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) has responded to the growing use of artificial intelligence in technology by launching a new policy document on environmental, social and governance (ESG), setting out a framework to support responsible growth, ethical innovation and trusted digital transformation across the legal technology sector. The membership body says the policy reflects […]
Land registration: Practice guides (PG25)
Leases: when to register (PG25) Page summary: Advice for conveyancers which deals with the compulsory and voluntary registration aspects of leasehold estates in land (practice guide 25). Change made: Sections 6.4.1 and 8 have been amended to include a reminder to add both the landlord’s and tenant’s titles when making an application to vary a […]
Local authorities to receive an extra £41m for Renters’ Rights Act enforcement
The government has announced an extra £41 million for local authorities to cover the costs of enforcing the Renters’ Rights Act, in addition to £18 million announced last autumn. The £60 million in funding will be shared across 317 local authorities in England. From 1 May 2026, councils will have enhanced powers and obligations to […]
Land registration: Practice guides (PG68, PG63)
Amending deeds that effect dispositions of registered land (PG68) Page summary: Guidance about practice and requirements for applications supported by a transfer or deed to update the register (practice guide 68). Change made: Section 4.3.2 has been amended to clarify that the words of grant/reservation should be contained in the deed of variation where the […]
Law Society issues Mazur practice note
A new practice note aimed at providing guidance on how firms can ensure they are compliant with the recent Mazur decision has been published by the Law Society of England and Wales. The practice note provides advice on how firms can make sure that only those authorised to do so carry on the conduct of […]
Court of Appeal overturns Mazur in ‘most consequential judgment for legal services in recent history’
The Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) in its appeal against Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys, which limited the extent to which legal executives and paralegals can conduct litigation. In a statement released following the ruling, CILEX chief executive Jennifer Coupland said it was “the most […]
National Housing Bank launches with £16bn fund for new homes and regeneration
A National Housing Bank, first signposted last year, is officially open for business, providing public finance “to accelerate the delivery of new homes and communities, whilst also enabling the regeneration of towns and cities across England”, the government has announced. The institution is a subsidiary of Homes England and is backed by the government to […]
Future Homes and Buildings Standards advocate for cleaner, more efficient home heating
Updates to the Building Regulations as part of the Future Homes and Buildings Standards have come into effect, in an effort to reduce reliance on fossil fuels for home heating by improving energy efficiency standards for new homes, which should also help reduce energy bills. In a circular letter published by the Ministry of Housing, […]