TO BE PUBLISHED December 2026
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Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will examine the future for the conveyancing sector and reform of the home buying and selling process, following publication of the Government's Home Buying and Selling Reform roadmap in June 2026.
The agenda will explore key issues around implementation of the phased reform roadmap, upfront information and the conveyancer's role, HMRC tax adviser registration and professional standards, property data and digital tools, sector readiness and market resilience, as well as consumer outcomes and safeguards.
Implementing the Home Buying & Selling Reform roadmap
With guidance and a Code of Practice for property agents expected this year, further consultation in 2027, and legislation on sales packs and binding contracts later in the process, delegates will assess proposals for mandatory upfront material information, earlier binding agreements, and wider digital data sharing across the transaction chain. Attendees will consider how responsibility for preparing, verifying and relying on upfront material information can be allocated across sellers, agents, conveyancers and lenders.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- transaction outcomes: reducing average transaction times - lowering fall-through rates - addressing duplication and uncertainty within property chains
- collaboration: shared objectives and responsibilities across the transaction chain - aligning conveyancers, lenders, estate agents, surveyors and regulators
- implementation: industry readiness and resourcing - realistic timelines - guidance and proportionate regulatory expectations
- professional standards for agents: a non-statutory Code of Practice - consultation on mandatory qualifications and regulation - an advisory Charter for property professionals
Upfront information, liability & the conveyancer's role
Delegates will also consider how workflow and process are affected by the sixth edition of the TA6 Property Information Form - mandatory for Conveyancing Quality Scheme firms since March and aiming to support earlier disclosure, greater consistency and improved transparency for buyers and sellers. Implications of the forthcoming first update to the National Conveyancing Protocol since 2019 will also be assessed - with the Law Society expected to consult later in 2026 - reflecting on changes in digital working practices, data sharing and cybersecurity expectations. Attendees will consider how reform can improve transparency and reduce avoidable delay while managing cost, liability, compliance and impacts on market participation.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- upfront information: what should be provided at the point of listing - reliability and provenance of property data - reducing renegotiation and failed sales
- responsibility and liability: how preparing, verifying and relying on material information can be allocated across sellers, agents, conveyancers and lenders - accountability for accuracy and ownership of data
- TA6 6th edition: workflow effects of the form now mandatory for CQS firms - the two-form approach and the separate, optional material information form
- conveyancing protocol: update to the National Conveyancing Protocol - digital processes, AI-generated enquiries, client care and cyber security
- cost and burden: administrative and cost implications of sales packs - lessons from earlier upfront-information schemes
Regulation, professional standards & the HMRC registration regime
New regulatory requirements will be explored, looking at implications for compliance, insurance and the boundaries of the conveyancer's role. The requirement for conveyancing firms that deal with HMRC on clients’ tax affairs, including through SDLT submissions, to register with HMRC as tax advisers will also be discussed.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- tax adviser registration: implications for professional regulation, insurance and compliance
- proportionality: concerns that conveyancers face obligations associated with tax advice despite not acting as tax advisers - maintaining clarity over the conveyancer's professional role
- clear expectations: establishing standards across agents and other property professionals - keeping requirements proportionate and practical to implement
Property data, digital tools & interoperability
Further sessions will consider next steps for developing a modernised process built on trusted, interoperable data and ways forward for the responsible adoption of digital tools, looking at how far current foundations can support a more connected transaction, and what smaller firms need to keep pace.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- data standards: interoperable property data and the Property Data Trust Framework - the Council for Licensed Conveyancers-led Smart Property Data Trust Framework sandbox - secure, consented data sharing across conveyancers, lenders, agents and local authorities
- application quality: HM Land Registry avoidable-requisition data - pre-submission validation and digital checks - targeted training to reduce avoidable requisitions
- digital adoption: qualified electronic signatures and digital identity - reducing duplication in checks - responsible use of digital tools alongside professional judgement
- smaller firms: access to verified data - capability, investment and guidance to adopt new systems effectively
Sector readiness, workforce & market resilience
The capacity and resilience of firms of all sizes will be discussed, considering readiness for digital transformation alongside continuity, oversight and the fragile completion stage, as well as the partnerships that hold the transaction chain together.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- workforce: training, recruitment and retention - support for smaller or under-resourced firms - readiness for digital transformation
- lender relationships: issues raised through the Conveyancing Association lender survey - clarity of mortgage instructions - communication and response times
- completion and post-completion: delay and fraud risk at the final stages of transactions - protecting clients and client money - continuity planning following firm failures such as the closure of the PM Law group and subsequent SRA intervention
- oversight: coordination of regulatory approvals and voluntary standards - professional accountability as frameworks evolve
Consumer outcomes, access & safeguards
Alongside efficiency, discussion will consider how reform protects consumers and maintains confidence in the system. With earlier binding commitments intending to mitigate costly and stressful processes, questions around safeguards will be explored, particularly for property chains and more complex cases, looking at how transparency, access and appropriate protections can be balanced as commitments come earlier and processes become more digital.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- consumer protection: managing cost, liability and risk while improving transparency and speed - safeguards for consumers under earlier binding commitments
- complex transactions: protections for property chains and more complex cases - valid reasons for withdrawal and appropriate penalties
- access: equitable access to legal services - support for homebuyers in complex chains
- confidence: maintaining quality, accountability and trust as digitalisation and regulation advance
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
