John Baxter
The Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) continues to serve as the Law Society’s benchmark for quality and compliance in residential conveyancing practices across England and Wales. It provides a recognised framework for maintaining professional standards in client service, risk management, regulatory compliance, and operational competence.
For 2026, the Law Society has introduced a number of targeted updates designed to strengthen transparency, improve fraud prevention, and ensure firms can demonstrate effective compliance. While the changes do not represent a complete overhaul of the scheme, they reflect a wider shift within the profession toward greater regulatory scrutiny and stronger governance of conveyancing work.
For law firms, the implications are clear: robust processes, clear documentation, and structured training are becoming central to maintaining accreditation and protecting lender relationships.
Key CQS Updates for 2026
New Mandatory Property Information Forms
One of the most significant changes is the introduction of the TA6 Property Information Form (6th edition), which becomes mandatory for CQS-accredited firms from 30 March 2026, alongside the revised TA7 Leasehold Information Form (5th edition).
The revised forms introduce:
- expanded seller disclosure requirements
- clearer and more structured wording
- improved risk identification for buyers and conveyancers
- compatibility with digital conveyancing systems.
For practising solicitors, this means ensuring precedent libraries, case management systems, and transaction workflows are updated. Just as importantly, solicitors must ensure clients understand their disclosure obligations, as incomplete or inaccurate information may expose firms to professional risk.
Increased Focus on Compliance Training
Annual training continues to be a core requirement of CQS reaccreditation, with the Law Society reinforcing the importance of ongoing professional development in areas such as:
- Anti-money laundering (AML) compliance
- Property and mortgage fraud risks
- Payment diversion scams
- Regulatory updates affecting residential conveyancing
- Client care and transparency standards.
Firms are expected to maintain clear records of staff training, as these may be reviewed during reaccreditation assessments or compliance audits.
Continued Oversight by the Senior Responsible Officer
CQS firms must continue to appoint a Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) responsible for ensuring firm-wide compliance with scheme standards.
The SRO must successfully complete the CQS certification exam, demonstrating knowledge of the Conveyancing Protocol, CQS rules, and practice management requirements.
This reinforces the growing emphasis on governance, supervision, and accountability within conveyancing practices.
Stronger Emphasis on Financial Crime Prevention
Residential conveyancing remains a high-risk area for fraud and money laundering. The Law Society has therefore increased its focus on financial crime prevention, particularly around:
- client due diligence and source-of-funds checks
- payment diversion fraud prevention
- staff awareness of emerging property fraud risks.
These expectations align closely with the broader regulatory obligations placed on solicitors.
The Expanding Compliance Landscape
The 2026 updates highlight how conveyancing practice now operates within an increasingly interconnected regulatory environment.
CQS accreditation sits alongside the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) regulatory framework, which requires solicitors to act with integrity, maintain public trust, and deliver competent legal services.
At the same time, most mortgage lenders require firms handling residential transactions to maintain CQS accreditation and comply with the UK Finance Mortgage Lenders’ Handbook.
As a result, maintaining CQS status is often critical to retaining lender panel membership and sustaining conveyancing workloads.
The Compliance Failures Firms Must Avoid
Law Society audits frequently reveal recurring compliance issues within conveyancing practices. The most common include:
- Failure to follow the Conveyancing Protocol
Incomplete title investigations or inadequate enquiries remain frequent audit findings. - Weak anti-money laundering procedures
Insufficient client due diligence or poor documentation of source-of-funds checks can trigger regulatory scrutiny. - Inadequate fraud prevention controls
Poor verification processes for client bank details can expose firms to payment diversion fraud. - Lack of documented training and supervision
Firms may struggle to demonstrate compliance if training records are incomplete or inconsistent. - Weak file management and record keeping
Missing documentation or incomplete file notes can raise concerns during audits.
These failures can lead to disciplinary action, difficulties during reaccreditation, or removal from lender panels, making proactive compliance management essential.
Training as a Strategic Compliance Tool
As regulatory expectations evolve, effective training is becoming one of the most important tools for maintaining compliance in conveyancing practices.
Modern training programmes increasingly focus on practical risk management, helping conveyancers understand how regulatory obligations apply in day-to-day transactions. Key areas include:
- Completion of updated transaction forms
- Advising clients on disclosure obligations
- Fraud prevention and AML compliance
- Lender handbook requirements
- Digital conveyancing processes.
For firms, well-structured training programmes also provide valuable evidence of competence and regulatory awareness, supporting firms during audits and reaccreditation reviews.
Supporting Firms Through Updated CQS Training
To help firms respond to the evolving regulatory landscape, eAlliance Learning Technology Ltd has updated its CQS training courses for 2026.
The revised courses are designed to help conveyancing teams strengthen compliance while addressing common operational risks.
Updates include:
- Practical guidance on completing the new TA6 and TA7 forms
- Expanded training on AML compliance and financial crime prevention
- Case studies addressing payment diversion fraud and cyber risks
- Structured learning modules aligned with CQS reaccreditation requirements
- Training completion records that support audit readiness and compliance monitoring.
By combining regulatory insight with practical learning tools, the updated courses support firms in building stronger compliance cultures while enhancing professional competence across conveyancing teams.
Turning Compliance into Competitive Advantage
While the 2026 CQS updates introduce additional compliance responsibilities, they also provide an opportunity for conveyancing practices to strengthen their operational foundations.
Firms that invest in structured training, effective supervision, and proactive compliance management are more likely to maintain accreditation, protect lender panel relationships, and deliver consistently high standards of client service.
In an increasingly regulated conveyancing environment, the firms that succeed will be those that view training and compliance not simply as obligations, but as strategic investments in the future of their practice.