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 Law Society has criticised the SRA’s proposed changes to first-tier complaints handling, arguing they may add administrative burden without clear consumer benefit. The consultation follows record complaint volumes and concerns from the Legal Ombudsman about poor complaints handling in a significant share of cases, while the Law Society also highlights the growing impact of AI-assisted complaints.
CILEX has raised concerns about proposed increases to Legal Ombudsman fees, warning that a tiered charging structure could encourage firms to make unwarranted payments to complainants to avoid higher costs. The consultation also proposes stricter admissibility thresholds and new timing rules, while the Law Society has separately warned the changes could reduce confidence in the complaints process.
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.
The Legal Services Board has escalated enforcement action against the Solicitors Regulation Authority, citing ongoing concerns about leadership, accountability and the regulator’s ability to respond quickly to risks affecting consumers and client money. The move follows further independent reviews linked to the collapses of PM Law Group and earlier failures at Axiom Ince and SSB Group, which together involved substantial losses of client funds.
The Society of Licensed Conveyancers has reiterated strong opposition to the Ministry of Justice’s proposed interest on lawyers’ client accounts (ILCA) scheme, arguing it is unfair, operationally burdensome and should not proceed before the consultation outcome is published. It says the proposal could add compliance costs and uncertainty for conveyancing firms while setting an unwelcome precedent for the use of client monies.
The Law Society has criticised proposed increases to Legal Ombudsman case fees, arguing that the changes could unfairly shift the cost of complaints handling onto legal service providers. The consultation on the Office for Legal Complaints’ proposed Scheme Rules changes has closed, with concerns raised about proportionality, access to justice and the impact on smaller firms.
The Law Society has criticised the Ministry of Justice after a job advertisement suggested work is already underway on the proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts (ILCA) scheme. The proposal would divert a portion of interest earned on legal client accounts in England and Wales to fund justice services, despite strong opposition from the legal profession and the consultation outcome still being awaited.
New research cited by LexisNexis suggests AI use is now widespread across the legal profession, with most lawyers using it regularly and a minority relying on it heavily. The report also highlights persistent concerns around accuracy, fabricated outputs, confidentiality and over-reliance, alongside growing expectations that AI tools should be grounded in authoritative legal sources.
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.
