An industry coalition has criticised the Land Registry’s implementation of Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES), arguing that current guidance contains fundamental flaws and is slowing adoption in conveyancing. The letter says the inability to mix signature types is limiting use, while HM Land Registry says it expects uptake to rise and is open to exploring temporary options to accelerate adoption.
The Property Ombudsman upheld a complaint against an estate agent for failing to disclose a competing buyer and the existence of a contract race. The buyers were awarded £790, matching the cost of a mortgage valuation survey they incurred without being properly informed of the risk.
Cheshire West and Chester Council is proposing Article 4 Directions for three major employment areas in order to remove permitted development rights for office-to-residential conversions. The move is intended to protect workspace, support local businesses and investment, and ensure any residential development is subject to planning control and space standards.
New government figures show that large construction firms paid 14% of invoices late in 2025, with a median supplier payment time of 33 days. The data places construction around the middle of the sector table for payment performance and comes as parliament considers legislation to tighten protections for small suppliers.
The guidance explains how to apply to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) for a certificate to register a light obstruction notice. It also clarifies that the process is separate from protecting an existing right to light, which must be challenged through the county court or High Court if affected.
New regulations will require certain contractual control agreements affecting registered land in England and Wales to be submitted digitally to HM Land Registry from 6 April 2027. The regime covers arrangements such as options, conditional contracts and pre-emption rights, with transitional reporting deadlines for rights granted before commencement but after 8 June 2026.
An industry coalition has written to HM Land Registry and government bodies arguing that current guidance on Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) is restricting adoption in conveyancing. The letter says the rules around same-document signing and the prohibition on mixed-format execution are slowing take-up, despite QES being available for registrable dispositions since August 2025.
The article argues that political change and wider economic uncertainty have left the property market subdued, with low mortgage approvals and a high proportion of homes remaining unsold. It highlights government proposals to improve home buying and selling, including greater transparency, sales packs and professional qualifications, as potential ways to rebuild confidence and reduce transaction fall-throughs.
The Legal Services Consumer Panel says consumers should be central to the debate over interest earned on client money held in lawyers’ client accounts, with most respondents preferring that the interest goes to clients rather than to firms. The latest tracker survey also reports high overall satisfaction with legal services, but highlights weaker experiences where consumers feel they had little choice of provider and limited understanding of how to complain.
