Land registration: Practice guides
Evidence of identity (PG67) Page summary: This guide explains when evidence of identity is required and how it should be given. It is aimed at conveyancers (practice guide 67). Change made: Section 6.3 has been amended to include reference to form ID3. Form ID3 must be uploaded where a non-conveyancer is verifying a person’s identity […]
Formal recognition for paralegals under Royal Charter amendment
Paralegals will receive formal recognition under amendments to CILEX’s Royal Charter which bestows the title of CILEX Chartered Paralegal to professionals who can demonstrate they have worked in a legal role for over five years and show extensive legal knowledge and competence across key duties and behaviours. It provides career paralegals with a formal status […]
Updated Standards to waive early repayment charges in some cases – Equity Release Council
Early repayment fees for equity release customers who move in with relatives for the purposes of long term care will be waived in an update to Equity Release Council (ERC) standards clarifying the position. The updated version of its Standards and a new Customer Charter have been published by the in an effort to ‘set best […]
Land registration: Practice guides
Registration of legal charges and deeds of variation of charge (PG29) Page summary: Advice for conveyancers on registration of legal charges and deeds of variation (practice guide 29). Change made: Section 4 has been amended to give guidance on how to remove a note in the charges register entered pursuant to section 859H of the […]
3,300 new staff bring HMLR backlog within 12 months
The Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has reiterated HM Land Registry’s commitment to reducing waiting times, and claims a combination of 3300 new staff and the automation of routine tasks will continue to drive down delays. In a written answer to Labour MP Amanda Hack, who asked the minister what steps […]
Land registration: Practice guides
Charitable incorporated organisations (PG14a) Page summary: Transactions involving charitable incorporated organisations, including their dissolution (practice guide 14A). Change made: Section 4.6.3 has been amended to clarify that a charitable incorporated organisation is a trust corporation as defined by section 32 of the Charities Act 2022. Time updated: 6:00am, 22 April 2025 The leasehold reform legislation […]
Policy priorities set out in LSB business plan 2025/26
In its business plan for 2025/26, published, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has outlined its priorities, aimed at improving outcomes for consumers and the public. These priorities include work to improve ethical standards within the profession, as well as work to protect the public from risks emerging from market developments. Alongside its policy work, the […]
Land registration: Practice guide Update Charging orders (PG76)
Charging orders (PG76) Page summary: HM Land Registry’s guidance on charging orders (practice guide 76). Change made: Section 4 has been updated to explain that it will be unlikely for a Form K restriction to be applied for using our Business e-services, as the application must be made by or with the consent of the […]
RICS launches consumer guide to residential energy retrofitting
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has launched a free guide to making homes more energy efficient. The retrofitting advice, available on the RICS website, is aimed at consumers and follows the institution’s industry focused guide released in March last year. Topics covered by the new guide include heating, appliances, ventilation, insulation and professional energy […]
Land registration: Practice guides
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: Sections 3.1.5.8 and 3.7.2 have been amended to clarify our requirements for compliance with, or removal of, a Form LL or company counter fraud […]
Consumer protection regime to be policed by CMA
The regulatory regime which has seen the introduction of material and up front information is to transfer to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) following implementation of The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC), which passed into law on 24 May 2024. DMCC replaces and updates the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, […]
Consumer spray foam guidance published by new trade association
A new trade association has published guidance for homeowners on how they can deal with spray foam installation after consumer groups advised homeowners not to install spray foam insulation because of the risks associated with incorrect installation. In a joint letter to Miatta Fahnbulleh Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero and Ali Rushanara MP, […]
Fire safety responsibility transfers to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Following recommendations made in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s Phase II report, accountability for fire and building safety will fall under the remit of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) from 1st April 2025. Previously the Home Office was responsible for fire and building safety with the report’s authors critical of the ‘dispersed’ […]
Bank of England to ‘stress test’ disaster scenarios
Seven banks, representing 75% of lending to the UK economy, are taking part in a ‘hypothetical stress scenario’ designed to test the resilience of the banking infrastructure to withstand economic disaster scenarios; one of the scenarios being a sizeable drop in property prices. The Bank of England (BoE) have launched the 2025 Bank Capital Stress […]
Law Society confirm two form approach to TA6
The Law Society of England and Wales has announced a new two-form approach to the TA6 following an extensive consultation. Going forward there will two separate forms say The Law Society A new 6th edition TA6 property form which is mandatory for Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) members from March 2026 and is designed to be […]
Lloyds guarantee to process all completions submitted at least a week before SDLT deadline
Lloyds Banking Group, which includes Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland,have committed to guaranteeing to process all completions submitted at least a week before the SDLT deadline provided it has received Certificates of Title no later than 25th March. The lender conveyancers must submit Certificates of Title on or by 25th March to guarantee […]
Solicitors fined over £47k for failing AML checks
In the last week four law firms have been fined a combined total of £47,666 by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for failing to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) regulations. The breaches, spanning several years, included inadequate risk assessments, failure to maintain proper policies, and lapses that could have facilitated illicit financial activities. The largest […]
CLC appoint new Chair of Adjudication Panel
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has announced Nick Hawkins has been appointed Chair of the Adjudication Panel, taking over from current chair, Victoria Goodfellow from 24th March 2025. Hawkins is a barrister by profession, and spent over ten years prosecuting, defending and sitting as a Judge Advocate in The Court Martial in the Royal […]
FCA to support home ownership with lending rules flexibility
Lenders could relax stress testing rules in an effort to improve access to mortgages as interest rates fall. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is reminding lenders of flexibility in their mortgage rules as the current market approach to interest rate stress testing could ‘unduly restricting access to otherwise affordable mortgages’ says the regulator. The FCA […]
Government outline key priorities for HM Land Registry
Minister of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Matthew Pennycook MP has written to the Chair of HM Land Registry Board to outline the government’s expectations for the body as it ramps up activity to deliver on its manifesto promise of 1.5m new homes in this Parliament. In a letter to Neil Sachdev, Chair […]
