This session took place on Wednesday 25 June 2025

Presenter: Stephen Desmond

Venue: TWM Solicitors, 65 Woodbridge Rd, Guildford GU1 4RD

As a busy conveyancer, you need to keep up to date with changes in practice as well as changes in the law. So, this presentation is designed to provide you with a vital overview on a range of current matters that you otherwise might not have time to read about.

A key part of this seminar will be its focus on the practical implications of developments in the field of residential conveyancing.

As this area of the law is rapidly evolving, the content is liable to change (e.g. as and when the government announces new leasehold reform measures).

Key topics covered by this course will include:

• Changes to planning and building regulations enforcement
• Emerging property fraud and AML risks
• SDLT update: dwelling with large grounds, empty properties
• Developments since the Law Society’s TA6 consultation
• Japanese knotweed: The amended questions in the new edition of form TA6 and the latest RICS guidance
• Selective updates to Land Registry Practice Guides
• New builds: The impact of the New Homes Ombudsman and consumer codes, unadopted amenities, rentcharges
• Leaseholds: progress on government plans to further reform ground rents, implementing changes to statutory lease extensions, new accounts requirements
• Recent cases on practical aspects of conveyancing including:
• Rights of way: contingent versus immediate easement
• New Homes: the pitfalls of buyer-funded developments
• Transfers of equity and declaration of trust: some emerging themes
• HMOs and selective licensing
• The general boundaries rule revisited

What people have said about Stephen’s previous sessions:

• A lot of tips & advice included
• Stephen is very happy to discuss points without saying it is not included in the cost of the course. Learned points I did not know before.
• All very good & clear information and great notes

Stephen Desmond

Since 2004, Stephen Desmond has delivered more than 1,900 CPD events to lawyers from a variety of backgrounds, with a particular focus on flat and apartment leases and practical solutions.  Delegates at these events have included practitioners from a variety of size of firms, ranging from sole practitioners to City Solicitors.

Stephen is a contributing editor to Butterworths Property Law Service, writing on the complex law relating to long and short leases.  He has written for a monthly publication on the subject of commercial property. He also once ran a university-accredited distance-learning course for aspiring paralegals in the subject of residential conveyancing.

A non-practising Solicitor with several years post-qualification experience, Stephen has represented many business and private clients, including property investors and local authorities.