Property

Most conveyancers think they should be charging clients more but only a third say they and their colleagues know how to “confidently deal” with objections to fees from clients, a report has found.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to step up efforts to ensure compliance with continuing competence obligations, particularly among conveyancers and probate specialists.

Listed law firm Gateley has increased its non-legal professional capabilities by spending £6m on an East Midlands chartered surveyors practice, while also setting up a collective actions practice.

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has received “too many complaints” about some of the practices it regulates breaching undertakings.

The Law Society is pushing for more changes to the building safety provisions in the UK Finance Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook after one was made last week.

A large conveyancing firm in the North-West is to close its doors on Friday, with its two directors taking some staff to join the practice owned by listed company Smoove.

Estate agents would “absolutely, categorically” accept conveyancers increasing their fees if it meant speeding up the process, an industry leader said last week.

Conveyancing firms are refusing to handle transactions involving flats in blocks with five or more storeys because of concerns about their liabilities under the Building Safety Act 2022.

The November 2021 cyber-attack on the Simplify Group – the country’s largest conveyancing business – cost it £6.8m and also suppressed fee income, its annual report has shown.

PEXA, the Australian conveyancing technology giant that last year bought a UK law firm, could expand its operation here yet further by acquiring listed company Smoove, which also owns one.