Today's Conveyancer Podcast

In this episode of the Today’s Conveyancer Podcast, host David Opie sits down with Louise Wise of Relatus to shed light on the complex world of Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and how proactive advice can transform outcomes for conveyancers and clients alike. Drawing on her transition from family law solicitor to specialist in property taxation, Louise shares the journey that led her to become a leading voice in SDLT advisory. She explains how Relatus evolved from assisting consumers with business rate relief to specialising in SDLT and partnering more closely with legal professionals. The conversation tackles the practical risks conveyancers face, especially around compliance checks, liability, and the nuances of under- or overpaying stamp duty. Louise outlines the importance of correctly identifying property types, assessing client circumstances, and understanding legislative grey areas. They also explore overlooked considerations such as incentives on new-build properties, purchaser characteristics, and the implications of developer contributions. With a clear focus on risk mitigation, collaboration, and accuracy, this episode is an essential listen for conveyancers seeking clarity, protection, and a more robust approach to SDLT reporting. Louise’s insights reveal why outsourcing tax advice could soon become as routine as ordering searches. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk [https://todaysconveyancer.co.uk/podcast/]. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors PEXA, and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

In this episode of the Today's Conveyancer Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Thomas Mieszkowski, a partner in the corporate team at Walker Morris LLP. The conversation takes a deep dive into mergers and acquisitions in the legal sector, with a special focus on private equity’s increasing interest in law firms. Thomas shares insights from his recent experience advising on the sale of two mixed-practice firms to private equity-backed consolidators. He explains what makes law firms appealing to investors—from their recurring revenue and low overheads to the potential for market consolidation in a highly fragmented sector. The discussion also explores why firms are pursuing investment in the first place. Key drivers include the need for capital to fund tech innovation, evolving succession planning pressures, and the desire to reduce financial risk while enabling growth. David and Thomas consider what private equity is looking for in a prospective acquisition: strong financial fundamentals, cultural fit, a capable management team, and scalable operations. They touch on deal structures, talent retention strategies, and how firms are positioning themselves for potential sale. This episode offers a timely and practical look at how private equity is reshaping law firm ownership—and what the future might hold for the sector. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk [https://todaysconveyancer.co.uk/podcast/]. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors PEXA, and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

David Opie hosts the latest episode of the Today's Conveyancer Podcast, featuring guest Nick Huntley, Commercial Director at Rello. With extensive experience across estate agency, property portals, and conveyancing technology, Nick offers a wealth of knowledge on sales progression and chain management. The discussion explores Rello's innovative approach to streamlining home-moving transactions, combining experienced professionals with cutting-edge technology. Nick emphasizes the importance of providing a single source of truth in property chains, ensuring greater transparency, reducing inefficiencies, and improving communication between estate agents, conveyancers, and mortgage brokers. Nick also highlights the evolving role of AI in property transactions, discussing how automation can complement human expertise rather than replace it. He touches on upcoming changes in material information requirements, the potential benefits of early conveyancer instruction at the point of listing, and how greater collaboration can enhance the process. This episode offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of technology and property transactions, demonstrating how industry-wide cooperation can improve speed and efficiency in home-moving. Listeners gain valuable insights into the future of sales progression and how solutions like Rello can help reshape the experience. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk [https://todaysconveyancer.co.uk/podcast/]. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors PEXA, and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

In this episode of the Today's Conveyancer podcast, host David Opie welcomes Gavin Burton, Co-founder and trainer at Beruku Knowledge, to discuss the evolving threats of identity fraud, deep fakes, and artificial intelligence in the legal sector. With a distinguished 26-year career in the Metropolitan Police, Gavin led a specialised team focused on ID fraud, making his insights into fraudulent identity documents invaluable. The conversation explores the increasing availability of counterfeit documents online, the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking perpetrators, and how social media and encrypted messaging services facilitate fraud. Gavin details how criminals manipulate biometric chips and forge machine-readable zones to bypass security checks. For legal professionals, this discussion underscores the importance of robust ID verification processes, technology-driven solutions, and ongoing awareness training to mitigate risks. Gavin highlights how regulators are imposing significant fines for anti-money laundering failures, reinforcing the need for vigilance in adapting to emerging threats. His expertise offers a compelling case for leveraging advanced AI tools while understanding the limitations of physical document verification. This episode provides critical insights into fraud prevention, regulation, and technology in modern legal practice. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk [https://todaysconveyancer.co.uk/podcast/]. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors PEXA, and VacantC Legal Recruitment.

The latest podcast explores the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in conveyancing, focusing on its ability to enhance efficiency, reduce administrative burdens, and improve risk management. Host David Opie is joined by Chris Harris, the founder of Collaborative Conveyancing, who shares insights into how AI-driven tools can streamline tasks such as document analysis, inquiry management, and property searches. A key takeaway is the shift in client expectations, as AI enables faster information retrieval and response times. Clients are increasingly using AI to fact-check legal processes, which raises new challenges for conveyancers in maintaining trust and transparency. The discussion delves into the ethical considerations and regulatory challenges surrounding AI adoption, emphasizing the importance of human oversight to mitigate risks such as misinformation and data security concerns. While AI can automate routine processes, the necessity for legal expertise remains crucial in complex property transactions. Chris Harris presents real-world examples of AI applications, including automated inquiry handling and AI-driven voice assistants for conveyancing quotes. While AI will not replace conveyancers, it is poised to reshape workflows, allowing professionals to focus on complex legal matters rather than routine administrative tasks. Ultimately, the conversation underscores that AI is not a threat but a tool that, when implemented responsibly, can empower conveyancers and enhance the property transaction process. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk [https://todaysconveyancer.co.uk/podcast/]. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors PEXA, and VacantC Legal Recruitment.