The Law Society is making the case for revisions to stringent building safety regulations that are a burden and expensive for residential conveyancers.
Centering reforms introduced in 2022, reforms put in place in the wake of the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster leave the profession at risk of potentially “unacceptable” levels of risk and might possibly raise indemnity insurance costs.
“The legislation’s complicated ramifications and potential demands on solicitors could be significant,” Law Society President Lubna Shuja has said.
‘We have been listening to members’ concerns and making sure their views are heard by decision-makers.’
The duties found in Parts 1 and 2 of the UK Finance Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook are used as examples. According to Shuja, lawyers are obliged to explain to lenders and lay clients complex legal requirements that may be outside the scope of their existing competence.
Shuja further notes some of the improvements requested by solicitors are being adopted in draught regulations, but others still need to be addressed by primary legislation.
