Law Society of England and Wales president Mark Evans will speak at this Summer’s Bold Legal Conference and Soirée. Organisers have confirmed the first tranche of speakers for the annual conference, which will be hosted on Wednesday 17th June 2026 at Regent’s University London.
Twelve months ago, Evans took part in a Q&A with Bold Legal CEO Rob Hailstone confirming the Law Society had paused its work on material information following the withdrawal of the National Trading Standards Estate and Lettings Agents Team’s (NTSELAT) guidance and transfer of responsibility to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). This year he will again take part in a keynote Q&A with Hailstone, reflecting on his year as president and sharing his views on the future of the Law Society and conveyancing in general. Delegates will also have the opportunity to put forward their own questions and comments during the session.
Tom Treadwell, strategy adviser at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, has also been confirmed as a speaker. He will discuss the outcome of the home buying and selling consultation and the government’s plans to improve the home buying and selling process. Treadwell has been at MHCLG since 2018 and currently works in the Home Ownership Division, responsible for the government’s work on reforming the home buying and selling process, alongside wider areas relating to competition for housing. He has previously held roles in the department’s Housing Strategy and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping teams. His current work covers a number of important policy areas, including upfront information, property agents, consumer education, and end-to-end digitalisation.
Hailstone said the session would “provide valuable insight for conveyancers seeking a clearer understanding of the direction of travel for reform”. He added:
“I’m really pleased that Mark and Tom are joining us for the conference. Mark’s perspective at the end of his presidency year, together with Tom’s update on the government’s work around home buying and selling reform, will make these important discussions for conveyancers and property lawyers alike. Conveyancing remains under real pressure, and this conference is about giving people the chance to hear from key voices, share views, and better understand the issues shaping the profession.”
In a nod to upcoming legislative reform and the content of his discussion, Evans said:
“I’m delighted to be taking part in the Bold Legal Group Conveyancing Conference during my tenure as president of the Law Society. It is a great opportunity to meet conveyancers and hear about the challenges they are facing and discuss what we can continue to do on their behalf.”
“As well as new legislation affecting leasehold and the transition to commonhold and UK government’s proposals for reforming home buying and selling, there is a lot of regulatory change that could impact conveyancers. This includes the Financial Conduct Authority taking over supervision of anti-money laundering, the Ministry of Justice’s proposals for interest on client accounts, the SRA’s ideas for client accounts more generally as well as conveyancers registering as tax advisers.”
Alongside speakers already confirmed, the conference will feature expert speakers, panel discussions and interactive sessions addressing key topics and challenges facing conveyancers. Attendees will gain valuable insights into industry trends and explore best practices.
The day will finish with the ever-popular evening soirée, an informal networking opportunity for attendees with refreshments.
Tickets for the conference are available to purchase here.
Concluding, Hailstone said:
“Unfortunately I seem to say the same thing, year on year: ‘The past few years have been incredibly challenging for conveyancers’. The problem is that nothing seems to improve. This year we need to make it clearer than ever that placing more and more responsibility at the feet of conveyancers can only have a negative effect on the already cumbersome home buying and selling process.”
