Industry News & Company Updates
HOW WE DELIVER DETAILED CLIENT REPORTS FASTER WITH ORBITAL RESIDENTIAL
Efficiency and quality sit at the heart of everything we do at PCS Legal; a major contributing factor to this has been our partnership with Orbital Residential. By embedding this cutting-edge technology into our daily caseload, we are streamlining enquiry management and delivering comprehensive, easy-to-read client reports faster than ever before.
WHAT IS A CHANGE OF NAME DEED? A GUIDE FOR PROPERTY OWNERS
Changing your name can happen for many reasons. If you own property, there is another practical point to consider: does the name connected with your property still match the name you now use?
Fortunately, putting the position in order is usually straightforward with a change of name deed. Here, we explain when one may be needed and what to expect from the process.
THINKING OF MOVING THIS AUTUMN? WHY NOW IS THE TIME TO GET PREPARED
August may traditionally be one of the quieter months for the property market, but for anyone hoping to buy or sell a home this autumn, it can be a valuable opportunity to get ahead.
For buyers and sellers thinking about making a move later this year, there is plenty that can be done now to make the process smoother when the right buyer or property comes along.
ADVERSE POSSESSION OF REGISTERED AND UNREGISTERED LAND EXPLAINED
Adverse possession is a legal process that may allow someone to claim ownership of land owned by someone else without the true owner’s permission. This article explains the law in England and Wales. As every case turns on its own history and evidence, taking advice early can help avoid a poorly prepared application.
WHY IS MY HOUSE PURCHASE TAKING SO LONG? THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF CONVEYANCING DELAYS IN 2026
Once your offer has been accepted, you naturally want to know when you can collect the keys and move into your new home. From a buyer's perspective, it can often feel as though very little is happening behind the scenes, but the reality is quite different. Conveyancing is a detailed legal process involving a number of different organisations, each working to their own timescales. Your conveyancer is only one part of that process.
WHAT IS SHARED OWNERSHIP AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
With rising property prices, larger deposit requirements and affordability checks to consider, many people find themselves in a frustrating position: ready to settle into a place of their own, but unable to afford to buy a home outright. This is where shared ownership can provide a practical way forward.
WHEN THE FUTURE FEELS UNCERTAIN, PLANNING MATTERS MORE THAN EVER
There are moments when the wider world begins to shape the decisions we make closer to home. With ongoing global instability, economic pressure, and a continued sense of uncertainty about what lies ahead, many people are starting to look more carefully at how they protect what they have built.
WHAT THE LATEST HOUSING REFORMS COULD MEAN FOR BUYERS, SELLERS AND HOMEOWNERS
The recent King’s Speech has once again placed housing reform firmly on the agenda, signalling further changes around leasehold reform, commonhold ownership, planning and building safety that could reshape how property is owned, managed and transacted in the years ahead.
PCS LEGAL WINS ‘CONVEYANCING TEAM OF THE YEAR’ AT THE INAUGURAL CONVEYANCING AWARDS
PCS Legal is celebrating national recognition after winning “Conveyancing Team of the Year” at the inaugural The Conveyancing Awards 2026, while Director Miles Forsdike was also named Highly Commended in the prestigious “Conveyancer of the Year” category.
CONVEYANCERS STILL IN A BIND WITH KNOTWEED
How worried should conveyancing lawyers be about advising seller and buyer clients about Japanese knotweed? The answer: a lot. And for buyers and sellers, the risks are just as important to understand when entering into a property transaction.
COASTAL PROPERTY EXPERTISE, RIGHT HERE IN FRINTON-ON-SEA
Discover Frinton-on-Sea’s unique coastal property market and the legal considerations that come with buying or selling in the area. PCS Legal provides expert local conveyancing support to help clients move home with confidence, at our newest office in Frinton-on-Sea.
WHAT IS A CONVEYANCER? THE ROLE OF A PROPERTY LAWYER
If you are buying your first home, it is easy to think the hard part is choosing the right property. In reality, much of the pressure comes afterwards, when the paperwork, deadlines and legal checks begin. A conveyancer is someone who manages that side of the move for you.
WHAT THE RENTERS REFORM ACT MEANS FOR HOMEBUYERS, FIRST-TIME BUYERS AND SHARED OWNERSHIP PURCHASERS
The Renters Reform Act, which will commence on 1st May 2026, represents one of the most significant overhauls of the UK’s private rental sector in recent years. While its main focus is on strengthening tenant rights and reforming landlord obligations, its impact will extend well beyond the rental market.
20 YEARS OF PCS LEGAL: HELPING FIRST-TIME BUYERS AND HOME MOVERS SINCE 2006
To celebrate 20 years of PCS Legal, we reflect on how the firm has grown from a single office in 2006 to a trusted conveyancing practice helping thousands of clients move home every year. Discover the milestones, achievements and exciting plans we have for our anniversary year.
MISREPRESENTATION IN PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS: WHAT BUYERS AND SELLERS NEED TO KNOW
Following recent comments by Stuart Forsdike, Founding Partner at PCS Legal, in The Telegraph, this article explores the rising number of disputes caused by undisclosed property issues.
Misrepresentation is becoming a major concern for buyers and sellers alike, and we explore what this means in practice, the legal risks involved, and how both parties can better protect themselves.
WHAT TO WATCH IN BUDGET 2025: KEY ISSUES FOR HOMEOWNERS, MOVERS AND LANDLORDS
The upcoming Autumn Budget is being closely watched not just by businesses and investors, but also by homeowners, prospective buyers, sellers and landlords. Here we outline the major themes that could feature in the Budget and what they might mean for you.
STAMP DUTY IS A TAX NOT A LEGAL PROCESS - IT SHOULD BE TREATED THAT WAY
Stamp duty is one of the most complex and contentious parts of buying property. Recent headlines involving Angela Rayner have thrown its flaws, and the role of conveyancers in it, into sharp focus.
RETURNING TO THE UK AS AN EXPAT? LEGAL AND PROPERTY CHALLENGES YOU NEED TO KNOW
The process of buying property after living abroad is often far more complex than expected. From unexpected tax liabilities to regulatory checks on overseas funds, returning expats frequently face hurdles that require careful planning. At PCS Legal, we specialise in conveyancing for expats and regularly support clients navigating these challenges.
THE BUILDING SAFETY ACT: A NECESSARY RESPONSE, NOT A LEGAL INCONVENIENCE
The recent Netflix documentary on the Grenfell Tower tragedy has brought the devastating events of 2017 back into the public eye. It was a powerful reminder of how deeply flawed our approach to building safety had become and why legislation like the Building Safety Act 2022, no matter how imperfect, is absolutely essential.
WHY YOU MUST DECLARE DISPUTES WHEN SELLING YOUR HOME
When it comes to selling your home, honesty is not just the best policy, it is a legal requirement. One of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the property selling process is the obligation to disclose disputes with neighbours. This includes those that might seem minor or informal, such as disagreements over trees.