The article argues that conveyancing firms should approach AI adoption from existing professional and data protection duties, rather than starting with tool selection. It highlights the SRA’s warning notice and sets out five core obligations: accountability, security, lawful basis, processor governance and professional duty.
The government has laid regulations to increase compensation for dependants of people who die from asbestos-related and other dust diseases, bringing their payments into line with awards available to affected workers. The changes also simplify the compensation calculation framework and are expected to take effect on 31 October 2026, subject to parliamentary approval.
Castle Green Homes has appealed Flintshire County Council’s refusal of a 315-home scheme in Ewloe, arguing the committee’s reasons for rejection were unsupported and amounted to unreasonable behaviour. The developer is also seeking full costs and has submitted a revised application for 276 homes while the appeal is considered.
Ealing Council is inviting landlords and tenants to a free workshop on how HMOs affect local communities and neighbourhoods. The event runs alongside a consultation on whether to extend additional licensing for smaller HMOs for a further five years from April 2027.
The article reports a call for the government to address an estimated £750m in unclaimed tenancy deposits held within the deposit protection system. It argues that England and Wales lack a clear legislative framework for dormant deposits, unlike Scotland, and that this creates a policy and transparency gap ahead of wider tenancy deposit reform.
HMRC has published its first official statistics on taxable cryptoasset gains, showing 17,600 individuals declared £1.38 billion in gains in the 2024 to 2025 tax year, including 240 people with gains above £1 million. The article also highlights growing regulatory scrutiny of cryptoassets, with new reporting rules and FCA standards due to take effect over the coming years, alongside continued caution from conveyancing regulators about source-of-funds checks.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s annual review found that most solicitors are keeping their knowledge and skills current, with firms generally showing robust systems to support competence. However, the SRA identified gaps in recording how learning needs are identified, limited evidence of ethics-focused training, and some weaknesses in client communication around risks, options and costs.
The Land Registry has updated Practice Guide 67 to clarify when evidence of identity is required and how it should be provided. The amendment specifically states that identity evidence is required for the person or company on whose behalf the excepted party acts.
The article explains updated timings and practical implications of the Employment Rights Act 2025 for estate and letting agents, with the most significant change being the move to an “all reasonable steps” duty from October 2026 and renewed employer liability for third-party harassment. It also notes that whistleblowing protection for harassment disclosures is now in force, while the NDA-related restrictions have been delayed into 2027.
The government has announced a new supported scheme intended to help consumers identify trusted builders and reduce losses from rogue operators. The measures include an Approved Code for higher standards of service, transparency and dispute resolution, plus milestone-based payment protections during building projects.
Green Steel & Cladding Ltd has appeared in court facing a corporate manslaughter charge following the death of a worker in April 2021, alongside related Health and Safety at Work Act offences. A company officer, Paul Gaines, is separately charged with gross negligence manslaughter and related health and safety offences, with the case now moving to Leicester Crown Court.
The Law Society of England and Wales has warned against extending judicial review reforms beyond Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects without stronger evidence. It argues that any wider changes to planning regimes, including housing, should be based on published data and must preserve access to justice and public participation.
