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. 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. 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. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views.

Thank you to our podcast sponsors PEXA, and VacantC Legal Recruitment.