Speakers from MHCLG, CLC and Law Society confirmed for Bold Legal Group conference
A growing line-up of speakers and sessions has been confirmed for the Bold Legal Group Conveyancing Conference & Soirée 2026, which takes place on Wednesday 17th June at Regent’s University in London. Confirmed speakers include Law Society president Mark Evans, Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) strategy adviser Tom Treadwell, and representatives from the […]
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 […]
SRA seeks 29% funding increase ‘to move from reactive to proactive regulation’
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has proposed a £50 increase in individual practising fees, taking the annual fee to £240. Compensation fund contributions are expected to be set at £120 for an individual solicitor and £3,600 for an SRA-regulated firm. Individual combined fees, which cover the practising certificate fee and compensation fund contribution, would rise […]
LSB calls for ‘urgent and immediate’ action from SRA, as it orders external audit of regulator’s compliance
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has summoned the Solicitors Regulation Authority to an in-person meeting before the end of May to seek assurance that it has the necessary expertise and oversight approach to deliver the urgent reform needed to address the challenges and complexities in the legal sector. The regulator has also been ordered to […]
Conveyancing Association backs Select Committee recommendations for upfront information and estate agent regulation
The Conveyancing Association (CA) has backed recommendations made by the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee aimed at improving the home buying and selling process, including upfront property information and stronger regulation of estate agents. According to the trade body, most of the committee’s recommendations reflect long-standing industry concerns around delays, failed transactions and […]
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 […]
Wales to be part of home moving test bed bringing the industry together in spirit of collaboration
A new cross-sector initiative in Wales is aiming to leverage technology and upfront information to improve the home buying experience. Backed by FinTech Wales, Legal News Wales, PEXA, the Open Property Data Association and openmoove, it is hoped Move Wales will become a test bed for a “more collaborative, transparent and consumer-focused approach to home […]
Equity release lending declines 9% as customers take ‘cautious approach’
The latest figures from the Equity Release Council show a decline in both lending and customer numbers. Total lending fell to £574 million in Q1 2026, down 9% on the previous quarter (£632 million) and 14% year-on-year (£655 million). Customer numbers also declined, with 12,958 new and returning customers accessing housing wealth, down 7% on […]
Profile: Paula Higgins, CEO and founder of HomeOwners Alliance
Paula Higgins is the founder and CEO of HomeOwners Alliance, which exists to give practical help to homeowners facing some of the biggest and most complex decisions of their lives. At www.hoa.org.uk visitors will find independent tips across every aspect of buying, owning and selling. A respected commentator and advocate for homeowners, Paula is regularly […]
Mortgage approvals up and interest rates down in first quarter of 2026
Mortgage approvals in March 2026 sat slightly higher than the six month average and average mortgage rates decreased slightly, according to the latest Bank of England (BoE) Money and Credit statistics. Net mortgage approvals, a measure of future borrowing, increased to 63,500 in March from 62,700 in February, above an average of around 63,200 over […]
Economic forecast could be ‘somewhat weaker’ as a result of Middle East tensions, says Nationwide
Economic growth is likely to be “somewhat weaker” with higher inflation than previously projected because of geo-political tensions in the Middle East, according to Nationwide Building Society in its latest appraisal of the UK housing market. The house price index reveals current market conditions have surprised the lender, given a weakening of consumer confidence. “Despite […]
CLC seeks views on proposed rule changes
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is seeking views on proposed changes to the rules governing how disciplinary proceedings involving regulated practices and individuals are dealt with by its independent adjudication panel. Member feedback is encouraged on changes to the procedural rules that govern matters under the panel’s consideration, which the CLC says will enhance […]
Why tmGroup is backing the National Property Transaction Network
As digital transformation begins to pick up pace, with high street lenders Lloyds Banking Group and NatWest both announcing digital transaction milestones in recent weeks, property technology provider tmGroup explains why it’s getting behind an industry initiative to standardise data. The announcement last week that Lloyds Banking Group, Connells Group and LMS have launched […]
Renting cheaper than a mortgage for first time since June 2025
Higher average mortgage rates have pushed monthly repayments above the cost of renting a typical home in Great Britain for the first time since June 2025, according to a new analysis from Rightmove. The average advertised monthly rent across Great Britain is currently £1,547, compared to an average new monthly mortgage payment of £1,670. Rightmove […]
Complaints, context and the case for better communication in conveyancing
In her regular monthly column, the Conveyancing Association’s director of delivery Beth Rudolf looks behind the headline statistics from the Legal Ombudsman’s complaints data, and finds a reassuring theme. Apparently, 87% of clients are happy with their conveyancer and it is easy for us to do even better. Yet, recent headlines on the Legal […]
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 […]
Are you invisible to AI? What law firms need to know about the new client journey
AI results have replaced the front page of Google in the quest for online visibility. Damian Reed, head of brand and marketing at QualitySolicitors, explains how to get noticed. Something is changing in the way people find a solicitor and most firms haven’t noticed yet. Not long ago, a potential client looking for legal […]
SRA must ‘regain the trust’ of the profession and get back to the basics of regulation says new CEO
New Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) chief executive Sarah Rapson says the organisation needs to “regain the trust of solicitors, law firms and the wider public”. In a statement published on the SRA website, Rapson said the message is clear from the profession that the regulator is not getting the “basics of good regulation right” and […]
‘Hidden tax’ referral fees should be banned, says conveyancing action group
Referral fees are a hidden tax on home buying and should be banned, according to the Conveyancing Task Force, a group of practising conveyancers, law firms and representatives from regional law societies. In a position statement issued this week, the CTF said it recognises “the reality that referral fees are entrenched across the conveyancing market,” […]
Determined buyers sustaining demand, despite ‘fresh fog’ of rising inflation and house price slowdown
After Rightmove’s latest data offered a more optimistic picture of the housing market, ONS consumer price inflation figures and UK house price index bring what PwC UK described as “a fresh fog”. But despite the ongoing uncertainty over the Middle East conflict, other experts point out the house price index offers a backdated snapshot, and […]