Council for Licensed Conveyancers - regulating property and probate lawyers

At the latest Financial Action Task Force (FATF) meeting has recently concluded, there have been a few changes to the countries which are on the “grey list” (those subject to increased monitoring): • Laos and Nepal were added to the list of countries under increased monitoring; • Phillipines has been removed from the list of countries under increased monitoring; • Russia’s continued suspension remains in force. The UK list of high risk countries (HRTC) now mirrors the FATF lists so CLC practices need to ensure that Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) is applied when a client is “established” in a HRTC which means for an individual being resident in that country (not just having been born there) and for a company/legal person that means being incorporated in or having its principal place of business in that country. These lists also relate only to AML and not to sanctions (they are two separate and distinct regimes). CLC AML Toolkit: https://zurl.co/Oqlso FATF page: https://zurl.co/SzyNL

📢Be part of the nearly 100 people who have taken part so far in our new Quarterly Confidence Tracker (QCT). Tell us about your experience and help to provide an insight into the health of the home buying and selling industry.🏡 It takes one minute to complete 🕛 - promise! If you haven't yet, you can have your say here: https://zurl.co/S2tHs

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has launched a new Quarterly Confidence Tracker, which will become a regular survey aiming to track the views and insight of those working in conveyancing. You can have your say here: https://zurl.co/jb8U9

SRA-regulated firms find themselves paying more for PI insurance than those regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). Zarina Lawley, head of solicitors’ PI at broker Miller Insurance explains: ‘Interestingly, when we look at the claims on the SRA firms versus the CLC firms, there is a difference. Because the CLC firms are only doing conveyancing, all their focus and all their expertise is just conveyancing, and there’s no dabbling – because you can’t. And it’s the dabbling that law firms fall down on; they go outside their expertise because they just want to get cash in. That’s when it starts to fall apart.’ If you haven't yet read the write up from the recent PII roundtable hosted by the Law Society Gazette then head over now https://zurl.co/bCndD

PII has been a thorny issue for businesses over the last few years, so it was a pleasure to once again be part of the Law Society Gazette recent annual PII roundtable to discuss what the legal industry has been seeing and the reasons for us to all feel positive about the outlook. The conveyancing sector, in particular, has been under the scrutiny of insurers because of the perceived risk. However, it was great to see that the specialisation of the CLC and it's firms is recognised, with lower premiums, due to their expertise in this area. Stephen Ward was quoted "Our firms will have the same challenges about presenting their work properly and effectively, and really showing how they shine and why they should be trusted in their proposals. But I think insurers come with a slightly different attitude towards CLC firms, because of their specialisation." If you haven't had a chance yet, you can read the whole piece here👇 https://zurl.co/PpN1B

📢Thank you to the nearly 100 people who have taken part so far in our new Quarterly Confidence Tracker (QCT). Our aim is for it to become a regular survey aiming to track the views and insight of those working in conveyancing. It looks to monitor the sentiment and expectations of conveyancers and provide an insight into the health of the home buying and selling industry.🏡 If you haven't yet, you can have your say here: https://zurl.co/S2tHs

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has launched a new Quarterly Confidence Tracker (QCT), which will become a regular survey aiming to track the views and insight of those working in conveyancing. It looks to monitor the sentiment and expectations of conveyancers and provide an insight into the health of the home buying and selling industry. We will reporting regularly on the results of the survey. You can have your say here: https://zurl.co/S2tHs

CLC’s Technology and Innovation Working Group The CLC has established a Technology and Innovation Working Group. Guided by three principles, improving efficiency and transparency, protecting consumers and improving the consumer experience, the Working Group will collaborate to help shape new CLC guidance on the responsible and ethical use of technology and innovation in practice. You can help shape future CLC Guidance Milton James, Chair of the Working Group and CLC Council Member, commented on the working group that “Innovation and the ethical use of technology is the future of conveyancing. By taking part in this initiative, you can help shape guidance that enhances efficiency, fosters transparency, and protects consumers—ensuring the sector evolves responsibly while maintaining public trust. Now is the time to become involved and be at the forefront of change.” The Working Group is particularly interested in understanding more about risks and benefits, obstacles to adopting, perceptions and what key issues should be addressed in the new guidance. The Working Group is keen to learn more about the experience of CLC practices that are currently using or planning to adopt new technology. Those interested in taking part are invited to complete this online questionnaire https://zurl.co/azlNa. Similarly, the Working Group invites technology providers that are working with CLC practices or planning to enter the CLC market to share their insights via this questionnaire https://zurl.co/PL8Wd. The questionnaire closes on 29 February 2025.

🚨 Get up to £300 off CLC Diplomas this February! 🚨 Have you been considering qualifying as a Licensed Conveyancer or Probate Practitioner? There’s no better time to start your journey with a #CLC Diploma than now, with huge savings available on CLC Levels 4 and 6 🎉 Our CLC offer is available until 14 February 2025. 👉 Enrol today and get huge savings over on the Law Training Centre website.

Compensation Fund - Consultation on Proposed Changes There is still time to have your say on proposed changes to the Compensation Fund managed by the CLC. The CLC's well-established discretionary Fund of last resort is funded by the regulated community. The CLC may make grants or other payments for the purpose of relieving or mitigating losses arising from certain wrongs committed by CLC Practices. We have revised the Rules in order to: improve clarity for consumers, specifically in relation to eligibility, losses covered by the Fund and the process; ensure that the Fund remains true to its core purpose, and meet the Regulatory Objectives and embed the principles of Better Regulation (transparency, consistency, proportionality, targeting, accountability. We are seeking the widest possible input on the proposed new rules from the consumers and their representatives, past applicants to the Fund, the regulated community and anyone with an interest in the regulation of conveyancing and probate services for the protection of consumers. For more info and to respond https://zurl.co/sBFtP