The article argues that residential property transactions remain too slow and prone to fall-throughs, with delays driven by avoidable friction between agents, conveyancers, lenders and other parties. It introduces the Conveyancing Improvement Collective (CIC) as a collaborative forum aimed at identifying practical process improvements rather than assigning blame.
The article explains that a title register entry referring to mines and minerals does not necessarily reveal who owns the mineral rights, what rights are attached to them, or who would be liable if ground instability occurs. It stresses the need to review historic deeds and supporting evidence, particularly where past extraction or complex liability issues may be involved.
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers’ Risk Agenda 2026 says post-completion work, including HM Land Registry applications, must be treated as a core professional responsibility rather than an administrative task. It also highlights ongoing scrutiny of undertakings, the risks and governance issues around AI adoption, and emerging probate risks linked to inheritance tax changes and estate funding.
The Law Society Property Conference 2026 focused on digitalisation in conveyancing, an update to the National Conveyancing Protocol, and the government’s planned reforms to home buying and selling. Speakers also discussed the opportunities and risks of AI, alongside wider issues such as leasehold reform, HM Land Registry processes and the move away from paper-based transactions.
Industry speakers at the Digital Conveyancing Summit warned that AI adoption in conveyancing must be strategic, coordinated and supported by good data, governance and human oversight. The article highlights growing use of digital tools, but also inconsistent implementation, fraud risks and the need to avoid simply automating inefficient processes.
The article argues that identity verification alone is insufficient for assessing client and matter risk in conveyancing and wider legal onboarding. It outlines a combined approach using ID checks, AML screening, Source of Funds, Source of Wealth and formal risk assessments to create a fuller compliance picture, with reference to a digital onboarding platform from InfoTrack.
The article argues that the main risk from generative AI in conveyancing is not poor prose but over-reliance on fluent drafts that may omit critical title or lease issues. It says firms should not rely on blanket bans or static policies, but instead build practical human oversight and auditable checks into everyday workflows.
The Conveyancing Task Force has warned that the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s proposed COLP/COFA changes could disproportionately affect small conveyancing firms, particularly those handling higher-value transactions. The SRA has paused implementation pending further review after concerns that the thresholds and role-separation requirements may reduce consumer choice and divert work to larger providers.
The article argues that home buying reforms will only reduce delays if property data is trusted, connected and consistently applied across the transaction. It highlights the role of Ordnance Survey, HM Land Registry and common identifiers such as UPRNs in improving data interoperability, and notes that future sales packs and AI tools will depend on reliable underlying information.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has opened an eight-week consultation on updating the Statement of Solicitor Competence and functioning legal knowledge requirements. The proposals aim to reflect the growing use of technology and AI in legal practice, alongside changes to supervision, wellbeing, professional conduct and ethics.
The article argues that abolishing Stamp Duty Land Tax would not simply reduce buyer costs, but could create major short-term volatility in the residential property market and conveyancing system. It suggests that any reform would need a replacement tax and careful implementation to avoid surges in transactions, regional bottlenecks, and pressure on legal and data processes.
The First-tier Tribunal dismissed an SDLT appeal concerning whether a pool house annex formed a separate single dwelling for multiple dwellings relief. HMRC successfully argued that the annex lacked the privacy, security and domestic functionality required to qualify, and the tribunal agreed the arrangement did not meet the test for a single dwelling.
