A consumer panel has criticised the Council for Licensed Conveyancers over perceived regulatory gaps in referral fee arrangements linked to conveyancing and estate agency relationships. The debate has been reignited by concerns raised after a BBC Panorama investigation into Connells, with the CLC rejecting the criticism and saying it has sought to improve transparency and consumer protection.
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has rejected criticism from the Legal Services Consumer Panel, saying the panel misrepresented its response to issues around conditional selling and referral fees. The CLC says it acted on market intelligence, is reviewing transparency and consumer protections, and is gathering further evidence ahead of recommendations following a thematic review of referral fees.
The Planning Inspectorate has published a procedural guide for planning appeals relating to applications submitted on or after 1 April 2026. The guidance explains the updated written representations process, the relationship to the Town and Country Planning (Appeals) (Written Representations Procedure) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, and key expectations for appellants and local planning authorities.
The Technology and Construction Court upheld an adjudication award requiring HG Construction to pay almost £1m to Clerkenwell Lifestyle UK after rejecting the contractor’s argument that additional extension of time had been agreed by email. The judge found the February 2023 correspondence formed part of ongoing discussions about how the contractual mechanism would operate, rather than a clear and binding revision of completion dates.
The Planning Inspectorate has updated its procedural guide for planning appeals relating to applications submitted on or before 31 March 2026. The revisions cover online submission limits for discontinuance notice appeals, updated appeal process guidance, changes linked to enforcement and late representations, and references to newer procedural materials and service channels.
The article argues that reducing requisitions in the conveyancing process is a shared responsibility between conveyancers and HM Land Registry (HMLR). It notes a reported 7% fall in avoidable requisitions raised by the profession, while also highlighting HMLR’s own review of its requisition practices and its plans to consult on further improvements.
The article reports expectations of tougher enforcement against rogue landlords in the second half of 2026, driven by the Renters Rights Act and higher fines, alongside increased local authority enforcement funding. It also suggests contested evictions may take longer to resolve through the courts, adding pressure to the possession process.
The article argues that Ardmore Group’s construction arm collapse highlights the growing impact of the post-Grenfell liability regime on contractors with historic defects exposure. It also links this to wider housing delivery concerns, noting that confidence and slogans are no substitute for a workable plan to meet housing targets.
The government has reiterated its commitment to reforming and ultimately ending the leasehold system, citing the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 as the main vehicle for change. However, the statement did not provide a timetable for implementation, leaving the pace of reform uncertain.
The Housing Ombudsman is stepping down at the end of the month, with Andrea Keenoy appointed as interim caretaker while a permanent replacement is sought. The article notes speculation that the role may be expanded in future to cover the landlord service ombudsman function proposed under the Renters Rights Act.
HMCTS has introduced a new Third-Party Courts and Tribunals Data Licence for organisations seeking to carry out computational analysis on data published by the Court and Tribunal Hearings Service. Applicants must follow the guidance and ensure their systems are compatible with the service’s API requirements before applying.
The article argues that AI can improve productivity and profitability in legal services, but only if firms adopt it with strong governance, security and oversight. It warns that many UK firms are using AI without adequate policies, creating risks around confidentiality, bias, hallucinations and unsanctioned use of consumer tools.
