Tougher regulation of conveyancers to begin in New Year

An updated code will help to regulate conveyancers a year after the Council for Licensed Conveyancers warned the system was close to breaking.

Sold subject to contract image conveyancers

A new code of conduct for conveyancers is to take effect from the start of next year, it has been announced.

The updated code written by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has now been approved by the Legal Services Board, and will take effect on January 1.

Increased importance

CLC closed a consultation at the beginning of the year on a revised code, that was last reviewed in 2011, “to improve clarity and reflect the significant changes in practice”.

The changes place increased importance on knowing the client, high standards of professional conduct, and promoting and supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in practice.

The code, which is part of the CLC’s Handbook, sets requirements and standards of conduct which must be met by the lawyers and organisations that it regulates.

And the updated document will be launched to the CLC’s regulated community via a series of roadshows in November.

It was time for a comprehensive review.”

Sheila Kumar
Sheila Kumar, CEO, Council for Licensed Conveyancers

Sheila Kumar, CEO at CLC, says: “It was time for a comprehensive review of the overarching expectations we have of CLC-regulated lawyers.

“The substance of the changes may not appear far-reaching, but this is because we took the opportunity to present the Code of Conduct more simply and clearly,” she says.

“We look forward to speaking to our regulated community about these changes in a series of roadshows next month.”

Broken promises

Last year, CLC warned it was receiving so many complaints about broken promises and undertakings not being met, that there was a real danger of the conveyancing system breaking.

CLC’s Risk Agenda lists the biggest risks faced by regulated conveyancers and ‘breaches of undertakings’.


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