Category: CQS Conveyancing

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For the last five years, law firms have been accustomed to the SRA’s oversight. But the transition to the FCA marks a shift from “assisted compliance” to a high-stakes, data-driven enforcement model. The FCA brings with it a “financial services” mindset, one that values hard evidence and operational proof over well-drafted AML Policies and Procedures…

How to Check if a Solicitor is on a Lender’s Panel (And Why it Matters)

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Don’t let a “non-panel” solicitor delay your house move. Learn how to use LenderPanel.com to verify your solicitor’s status, avoid double legal fees, and download our free “Panel Check” email template.

Why ‘Small’ Conveyancing Errors are Costing Firms Thousands

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The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) recently released its latest Public Interest Decisions, and for conveyancers, the message is clear: the Ombudsman is not just looking for “adequate” service, they are penalising systemic failures in conveyancing risk management. Two specific cases, involving KMC (Liverpool) and Stocker & Co, highlight how a lack of robust procedures during the…

The “FCA Effect”: Why Regulation 21 Independent AML Audits are No Longer Optional

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For years, many UK law firms viewed Anti-Money Laundering compliance as a “lawyer-led” exercise, principled, interpretive, and often collaborative with supervisors like the SRA or CLC. However, the ground has shifted. With the recent announcement that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is set to become the single AML supervisor for the legal services sector, the…

Why the CLC is Telling the LSB to “Focus on the Big Picture”

Mar 24, 2026

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In the world of legal regulation, there is a fine line between “oversight” and “overreach.” According to the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, that line is currently being blurred. In a candid response to the Legal Services Board’s latest draft business plan, the CLC has issued a clear warning: the oversight regulator is spending too much…

The FCA’s High-Stakes AML Takeover of the Legal Sector

Mar 24, 2026

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The transition from SRA to FCA oversight for AML represents an “architectural reset” of the UK legal regulatory climate. While the 2017 Regulations remain unchanged, the move to a “Single Professional Services Supervisor” replaces the SRA’s collaborative, guidance-based approach with the FCA’s assertive, data-driven enforcement. This shift aims to eliminate the fragmented supervisory landscape that…

Renters’ Rights Act 2025: Proactive Steps

Mar 23, 2026

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With the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 now published, conveyancers have a unique window to add value to their clients and future-proof their own precedents. The goal is simple: ensure your Buy-to-Let (BTL) clients are compliant by the 31 May 2026 deadline, avoiding the new £7,000 local authority fines. The Precedent Audit: Quick Wins…

A New Era for Leasehold: What the High Court Ruling Means for Risk, Value and Marketability

Mar 23, 2026

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The High Court’s decision to uphold the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 marks an important shift in the UK property market. While much of the attention has focused on what it means for leaseholders, there is also impact for conveyancers and lenders. This is a major step towards reducing risk and bringing greater certainty…

The £1.3bn MFS Scandal: Are Law Firms Next in the SRA’s Crosshairs?

Mar 22, 2026

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The FCA’s AML probe into Market Financial Solutions (MFS) following its £1.3 billion collapse has sent shockwaves through Mayfair. While the lender is the primary target, the legal profession may soon move into the “danger zone.” Here is why some law firms should be concerned: 1. The “Enabler” Crackdown Regulators are increasingly targeting the “gatekeepers”…

Santander Conveyancing Panel: Important Update to Ground Rent Requirements

Mar 22, 2026

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