The Law Society of England and Wales have confirmed over 1200 conveyancers have registered to take part in the upcoming Property Information Form TA6 consultation launched in response to the backlash from the profession following its introduction in March of this year. The deadline for registration passed on Friday 16th August.
The conveyancing profession hit back at The Law Society (LS) after the fifth edition of the form was significantly expanded to 32 pages to incorporate a range of questioning relating to material information in the wake of guidance published by National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team. Concerns were also raised about the liability placed on conveyancers and the lack of consultation with the profession on the updates. In June pressure group Property Lawyers Action Group (PLAG) mobilised the conveyancing community around a vote of no confidence in Law Society President Nick Emmerson and CEO Ian Jeffery, forcing a Special General Meeting after gathering the requisite 100 member signatures. The President and CEO survived the vote of no confidence.
In response LS announced the mandatory introduction of the updated TA6 for CQS firms, originally due to be 25th June 2024, would be postponed until 15th January 2025. In the interim both the fourth edition, and fifth edition are acceptable under the CQS protocol, and a consultation would be launched to ‘understand users’ experience and views of the TA6 form and its part in the wider conveyancing landscape and to identify improvements to the property form‘ said LS CEO Ian Jeffery.
Speaking exclusively to Today’s Conveyancer, Jeffery said the consultation was the ‘right response’ to the strength of feeling in the profession, adding that while the updated TA6 went through the ‘usual pattern’ of review through the specialist committees and in-house advisors before it was introduced, the ‘strong reaction’ needed addressing.
LS have confirmed 1,232 conveyancers have signed up to take part in the consultation. LS have engaged an external agency to complete the research to
- understand conveyancers’ engagement and views on external opportunities and threats impacting the market
- understand users’ experiences and views of the TA6 form (4th edition and 5th edition) and its part in the wider conveyancing landscape
- identify improvements to the TA6 form
The research consultation will include:
- engagement with stakeholder groups including conveyancing and legal groups, local law societies and Law Society licensees
- an online survey to capture views on the wider policy changes in residential conveyancing, the TA6 and the experience of using it
- focus groups with conveyancers to understand their current experience of using both versions of the TA6 and the concerns on key areas of change
- deep dive online webinars exploring key areas of concern, including liability and digitisation
- user experience testing of the new form
On the engagement with the consultation Law Society president, Nick Emmerson, says
“With more than a thousand people registered to be involved in the TA6 form consultation, we know that this is a very important issue for our members. We are committed to engaging with conveyancers across the country and want to hear from members who have used the forms and those who have not.”
“The consultation will help us understand users’ experience and views of the TA6 form, its part in the wider conveyancing landscape and to identify improvements to the property form.”
