Member Talks: practical advice series

High street rental auctions

Understand the government’s proposals for mandatory high street rental auctions in England.

High street rental auctions allow local authorities to tackle persistently vacant premises in city, town and village centres by putting leases of those premises up for auction; a so-called “right to rent” commercial premises for businesses and community groups.

Our speaker runs through the regulations that came into force on 2 December 2024, which premises are within the scope of the new regime, the vacancy position, permitted development rights, the different notices and what happens at each stage of the 12-week auction period.

 

Speaker:

• Russell Hewitson, Associate Professor in Law at Northumbria University, a Member of the Law Society’s Property Section Advisory Committee and a Law Society Council Member

 This video was recorded on the following date:

• 26 March 2025

 

Retirement Homes– What Should Conveyancers Look For?

More people are reaching retirement age and considering whether a bespoke retirement property fits their needs.  

It’s always a big step for a client to move, but there are additional issues for the practitioner working on behalf of a client buying a retirement property. 

Our speakers discuss: 

• the different considerations depending on whether the client is buying a new build or resale.

• demands of the contract particularly on age requirements and ongoing fee obligations.  

• the differences between properties and services e.g. what assisted living facilities would provide. 

• client lifestyle issues such as mental capacity and family involvement. 

 

Speakers:

• Sarah Cookson, Director and Head of Conveyancing, Switalskis Solicitors 
• Nick Dell, Head of Legal, McCarthy Stone  

 

 This video was recorded on the following date:

• 15 July 2025

 

Climate Risk for Property Solicitors: The Climate Change Practice Note 

In May 2025 the Law Society launched its Climate Change Practice Note to help solicitors understand how they should be advising their clients on property related climate risk.  

Our speakers will cover: 

• the risk climate change poses to UK properties 

• why the practice note is needed 

• the risks that solicitors and their clients need to be aware of  

• what you need to think about when advising clients 

• what climate searches mean for the property practitioner 

• how much knowledge of climate the property solicitor needs 

 

Speakers: 

• Alasdair Cameron, Policy Adviser for climate change, planning and environmental law, Law Society 
• Stephen Sykes, Director, GeoData Labs and practising solicitor specialising in environmental support to real estate lawyers and clients. 

This video was recorded on the following date:

• 24 July 2025

Trust Registration Service (TRS)

With more property transactions involving trusts, it’s vital for practitioners to understand the obligations under the Trust Registration Service (TRS).

While many clients may be unaware of TRS obligations, failure to comply can lead to delays, penalties, or even issues post-completion. Legal professionals must be alert to the nuances around registrable trusts—particularly when dealing with property ownership and sales.

 

Our speakers discuss:

• what the Trust Registration Service (TRS) is and why it was introduced
• when a trust is registrable and which types are typically caught by the regulations
• property-specific trusts, including legal vs beneficial ownership and implications for joint owner
• what happens if a registrable trust property is sold without registration
• practical steps and key checks when dealing with property held in trust, including varied and dual registrations

 

Speakers:

• Philip Askew, Lead Partner – Private Client Property, Stone King LLP
• Fiona Heald, Senior Lawyer – Court of Protection, Giles Wilson Solicitors

This video was recorded on the following date:

2 September 2025

Pricing and Competition in Conveyancing

In this Member Talk, our expert speakers dive into the real-world challenges conveyancers face in a market driven by price comparison sites, digital marketing, and rising client expectations.

They share practical insights on:

• how to win work and build referrals without relying on a website
• ways to differentiate yourself from other local firms
• how clients can assess the quality of a conveyancer before instructing
• the impact of online pricing models and what “from £240” really means
• advertising strategies and where to focus your efforts
• what “good” looks like in a conveyancer — experience vs. qualifications
• how to guide clients through hidden extras and “add-ons”
• whether conveyancing is still a 9-to-5 job

 

Speakers:

• Peter Rodd, Member of the Property Section Advisory Committee, a member of the Conveyancing and Land Law committee and chief assessor for the Conveyancing Quality Scheme.
• Sarah Dwight, Sole Practitioner and a member of the Law Society’s Conveyancing and Land Law Committee.

This video was recorded on the following date:

24 September 2025