Primarily due to the uptick in SRA AML Audits, Regulatory Settlement Agreements have emerged as a vital tool for resolving disciplinary matters efficiently. While every legal mechanism has its drawbacks, the professional benefits of a well-executed Regulatory Settlement Agreement
Simon Seaton
About CQS Conveyancing is a publisher focused on issues related to conveyancing and anti-money laundering (AML) compliance within the legal sector. It provides detailed analysis and commentary on regulatory requirements, enforcement actions, and best practices for law firms, particularly those involved in property transactions. The content emphasizes the importance of robust AML controls, independent audits, and adherence to Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) standards to prevent financial crime and maintain market integrity. The publisher addresses challenges faced by conveyancers and law firms in managing compliance risks, regulatory investigations, and the operational impact of AML obligations.
Latest from Simon Seaton - Page 5
Post Completion Risks in Conveyancing
The post completion stage of conveyancing is facing unprecedented scrutiny as HM Land Registry continues it’s transition from private feedback to public transparency. New data from HMLR highlights a significant divide in application quality across the legal sector. While the…
From SRA to FCA: Is Your Firm Ready for the 2026 Supervisory Shift?
The transition to the FCA as the Single Professional Services Supervisor marks the end of “tick-box” compliance for the legal sector. As the regulator moves from a periodic review model to a proactive, data-led enforcement stance, many firms are discovering…
The FCA AML Audit: Are Conveyancing Firms Ready?
For the last five years, law firms have been accustomed to the SRA’s oversight. But the transition to the FCA marks a shift from “assisted compliance” to a high-stakes, data-driven enforcement model. The FCA brings with it a “financial services”…
How to Check if a Solicitor is on a Lender’s Panel (And Why it Matters)
Why ‘Small’ Conveyancing Errors are Costing Firms Thousands
The Legal Ombudsman (LeO) recently released its latest Public Interest Decisions, and for conveyancers, the message is clear: the Ombudsman is not just looking for “adequate” service, they are penalising systemic failures in conveyancing risk management.
Two specific cases,…
The “FCA Effect”: Why Regulation 21 Independent AML Audits are No Longer Optional
For years, many UK law firms viewed Anti-Money Laundering compliance as a “lawyer-led” exercise, principled, interpretive, and often collaborative with supervisors like the SRA or CLC. However, the ground has shifted.
With the recent announcement that the Financial Conduct Authority…
Why the CLC is Telling the LSB to “Focus on the Big Picture”
In the world of legal regulation, there is a fine line between “oversight” and “overreach.” According to the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, that line is currently being blurred.
In a candid response to the Legal Services Board’s latest draft business…
The FCA’s High-Stakes AML Takeover of the Legal Sector
The transition from SRA to FCA oversight for AML represents an “architectural reset” of the UK legal regulatory climate. While the 2017 Regulations remain unchanged, the move to a “Single Professional Services Supervisor” replaces the SRA’s collaborative, guidance-based approach with…
Renters’ Rights Act 2026: Proactive Steps
With the Renters’ Rights Act Information Sheet 2026 now published, conveyancers have a unique window to add value to their clients and future-proof their own precedents.
The goal is simple: ensure your Buy-to-Let (BTL) clients are compliant by the…
