Project 28 marked its first anniversary with an industry event focused on accelerating residential transactions toward a 28-day exchange target. The discussion centred on upfront information, earlier risk identification, and closer collaboration between conveyancers, lenders, estate agents and technology providers to reduce delays and improve certainty.
The Conveyancing Task Force has joined criticism of the SRA’s planned changes to who can hold COLP and COFA roles, arguing the regulator should publish the evidence behind the rule change. The group says the proposals may be too blunt for different firm structures and calls for a wider review of whether the current role-based model is the best safeguard for client money.
A solicitor has been suspended for nine months after the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal found serious accounting and compliance failings at a sole practice, including unreliable books of account, missing reconciliations and continued operation of a client account despite known record-keeping problems. The SRA intervened, recovered client funds, and the tribunal also ordered costs and post-suspension practice conditions.
The Conveyancing Association has renewed its opposition to the Ministry of Justice’s proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts (ILCA) scheme, arguing that the policy would impose additional costs on conveyancing firms and ultimately on home buyers and sellers. The association is also questioning the MoJ’s process after reports it is recruiting for a role linked to designing and implementing the scheme before publishing its consultation response.
Bury Council is expected to approve Watson Construction as preferred bidder for two council-owned brownfield sites, Pyramid Park and Q-Park, with the aim of delivering around 200 homes. The scheme is tied to wider town centre regeneration, including remediation works, transport interchange improvements and the need to resolve existing lease and occupational interests at Q-Park.
An alliance of SME and boutique law firms is urging the Solicitors Regulation Authority to reconsider proposals that would separate COLP and COFA roles from individuals with unilateral management control in certain firms. The group argues the threshold and implementation approach are not sufficiently evidence-based and could create practical and cost pressures for smaller practices ahead of phased introduction from January 2027.
The government has published research on reservation agreements, with the article noting that estate agents have given the idea a cautious reception. The extract suggests the topic is being considered as part of wider discussions around property transaction practice.
The Land Registry has updated Practice Guide 21, which covers how to prepare and complete transfer forms for complex or unusual transactions. The change clarifies that when multiple transfers are being submitted, separate applications must be prepared and lodged for each transfer.
Edward Mellor is progressing plans to redevelop its St Petersgate head office in Stockport into a mixed-use scheme comprising up to 190 flats, office space and retail floorspace. The proposals have been submitted for EIA screening, with a full planning application now being prepared, and include retention of the locally listed 63-81 St Petersgate building.
The article discusses Bamboo Proptech’s defence of modern method of auction (MMoA), which it describes as a conditional auction built around transparency and trust. It outlines the process, including reservation fees, completion timelines and the circumstances in which fees may be refunded, amid criticism from conveyancers and others about disclosure and buyer protections.
The article discusses the government’s home buying and selling reform consultation response and argues that earlier, more reliable information will improve the quality of conveyancing work. It highlights digital property packs, digital identity verification and reusable property data as enablers of a more transparent and efficient transaction process.
An independent review has found that the Solicitors Regulation Authority missed multiple opportunities to intervene earlier in relation to serious failings at PM Law Group. The report says the regulator held extensive intelligence but lacked the systems, processes and expertise to turn it into timely regulatory action, contributing to delayed intervention before the group’s collapse.
