After a tumultuous 2024 (including a new Property Information Form (PIF), a backlash, a (survived) vote of no confidence and a consultation) the Law Society has produced the long awaited 6th edition of the PIF In this Conveyancing Matters chat, Lorraine and Stu give their first impressions of the new form. It is undoubtedly an improvement, but there are some points for conveyancers note If you find this chat interesting, Lorraine and Stu do a longer discussion about the PIF 6th ed...

Stu and Lorraine have a lot to talk about including the LSAG updating its AML guidance, the CLC AML alert and LSAG guidance on identification and gifted deposits. All of this is a must for coal face conveyancers! Lorraine and Stu also discuss a worrying case for anyone using What's App and mention HMLR updates - so there is a lot to keep conveyancers at the front line busy! And don't forget to save the date for the next Conveyancing Matters networking and CPD event in Lond...

'Talk to the Lawyers' In this Conveyancing Matters chat, Lorraine and Stu talk to Stephen Larcombe, solicitor, who was instrumental in setting up the Property Lawyers Alliance (PLA) Stephen talks about the PLA's current campaign lobbying government against the crippling burden of Anti Money Laundering (AML) regulation imposed on property firms; pointing out that there are about 1500 pages of AML regulations and documents Stephen says 'It has almost become masochistic. The key point i...

In this week’s Conveyancing Matters chat, Stu and Lorraine talk to Cash Bishop, a young UK qualified lawyer who has taken the plunge and gone to work in Dubai Cash is now a senior licensed conveyancer at Dacha Real Estate, based in Dubai. He talks about how different the conveyancing system is in Dubai and that he has no regrets in taking the plunge! It is interesting how swiftly the transactions can go through – Cash points out that the attitude of the lenders is key – ‘all the banks...

In this Conveyancing Matters chat, Lorraine and Stu are joined by David Keighley Many conveyancers will know David as an excellent legal trainer or contributor to the Law Society's Conveyancing Handbook - but in this chat, David is talking about the fact that he is running for the Residential Conveyancing Sector seat on the Law Society's Council David explains that his wish is to represent coal face conveyancers at the highest level in the Law Society - this is undoubtedly a voice...

In this Conveyancing Matters chat, Lorraine and Stu talk about the unexpected withdrawal by National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team of the Material Information guidance relating to property listings Where does this leave estate agents and conveyancers? And what of the Law Society's Property Information Form updates? Edition 6 is expected later this year - confusion reigns for CQS firms What is your view?

This week Conveyancing Matters is delighted to welcome David Opie, Managing Director of the Today's Media group which, of course, includes the popular 'Today's Conveyancer' publication Stu and Lorraine talk to David about the success in recent years of the British Conveyancing Awards (and the recent award won by PCS Legal!) and how David acquired the Today's Media group in 2021 and how the titles have developed since then David talks about the importance of social media and PR for...

The Conveyancing Matters Spring 2025 chat is here! Lorraine and Stu remind conveyancers that they can come along to a drinks evening in London on 15 May - just as recognition for the immense work that conveyancers have put in over recent months. No payment needed - but places are limited, so email Lorraine if you would like to get on the list - lorraine@convmatters.co.uk Lorraine and Stu give an update on a wide range of issues affecting conveyancers including: the continuing sa...

In this Conveyancing Matters chat, Lorraine is delighted to catch up with Ewan Treadgold from Tees Law Ewan has now qualified as a solicitor but he took the long route via Cilex and then the Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE) Ewan talks frankly about his journey and gives some important insights into the SQE exams and how he prepared for these challenging assessments Ewan and Lorraine share study tips and how to approach the multiple choice and skills exams that comprise the ...

With the government announcement on 9 February of a 12-week project aiming to move forward with digitisation of the home buying and selling process, a Conveyancing Matters chat with Mike Harlow could not be more timely! Mike is the Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Strategy at HM Land Registry and joins Stu and Lorraine for a wide-ranging chat. Stuart jumps in at the deep end by asking Mike about the industrial action by HM Land Registry staff that is currently taking ...

In this Conveyancing Matters chat, Stu and Lorraine talk to property solicitor, Colin McWilliams Colin has gained a name for himself by becoming the deputy of the Property Lawyers Alliance (PLA) The PLA is a non-profit, conveyancing organization which is a community for conveyancers as well as having a political arm Colin regularly puts his head above the parapet to comment on matters of importance to the conveyancing profession on social media The PLA led the drive for the vote of ...

Lorraine and Stu start 2025 with a topic that will not go away - leasehold! The government has said that it intends to push on with leasehold reform and wants to make commonhold the 'default' But how easy will this be? In this Conveyancing Matters chat, Lorraine and Stu talk about some of the problems that the property market and conveyancers might face if leasehold changes are rushed through They also talk about the unhelpful language that is being used - is it ...

We are at the last Conveyancing Matters video of 2024 - so Lorraine and Stu have a news review for you! They look back at some of the highlights for Conveyancing Matters and the main stories that have been keeping conveyancers awake! Stu and Lorraine send their best wishes for the festive season to all their subscribers, friends and contacts! Remember, this is just a chat and our opinions, not advice! www.conveyancing-matters.co.uk www.pcslegal.co.uk www.adaptlaw.co.uk

In this latest Conveyancing Matters chat, Stu and Lorraine are joined by Noel Hunter, OBE Noel is the Chair of the Consumer Code for Homebuilders and gives some vital clarity relating to the various new home codes of practice The 2 October 2024 Consumer Code for Homebuilders newsletter refers to 'misinformation risks' and 'confusion' for new build homebuyers and builders and opens with the punchy lines: 'We were disappointed to read reports quoting the New Homes Ombudsman stating that wher...

In this Conveyancing Matters, Lorraine and Stu chat to presenter, journalist and blogger, Lexie Carducci Lexie is a vibrant and interesting guest and has some good advice for those who are navigating the property market Interestingly, despite Lexie's online presence, she still thinks that one of the most important parts of succeeding in the property market is connections - so don't give up on those networking opportunities! And Lexie tells Lorraine and Stu one of the most bizarre property ...

In this week's Conveyancing Matters chat, Lorraine and Stu talk about a topic that is never far from the property press - prop tech. There are many prop tech providers out there who want to make progress of a conveyancing chain transparent to everyone in the chain - but as Lorraine and Stu discuss, this is often not possible The simple fact is that everyone has forgotten the C word - confidentiality Let us know what you think - how important is confidentiality?

This week on their Conveyancing Matters chat, Stu and Lorraine talk about key undertakings What should sellers and their conveyancers say when receiving a request from a buyer to have access to the property between exchange and completion to do some work to the property? It seems like a reasonable enough request - the property is empty and the buyer wants to get a bit done to the property before they complete But is this a good idea for sellers or buyers? What do you s...

Unbelievably, Stu and Lorraine have released their Summer 2024 Conveyancing Matters news chat! Lorraine has been on Radio 4 since they last chatted - on 'You and Yours' on 02.09.2024 talking about indemnity insurance! Where is this year going? Much of it has been taken up with controversy about Material Information and the fall out for conveyancers. Stu and Lorraine talk about this and lots of other topics, including CLC guidance on source of funds/wealth, leasehold reform and variou...