Most residential conveyancing in England and Wales runs on the Law Society Conveyancing Protocol. It is a standardised, step-by-step way of handling sales and purchases, built around one big idea: front-load the disclosure. The seller's side gathers and shares information early, the buyer's side reviews it properly, and the deal moves smoothly. As a solicitor, this is the structure you'll work within every day — and knowing it cold lets you spot what's missing, what's gone stale, and what you can safely decline to answer.
What this lesson covers:
- Nature and Status — what the Protocol is, the transactions it governs, and how it ranks against your regulatory and lender obligations.
- Standardised Forms and the Contract Pack — the recognised forms (TA6, TA7, TA10, TR1 and more) and exactly what the contract pack must contain for freehold and leasehold.
- The Seller's Solicitor and Replies to Enquiries — preparing the pack early, giving honest substantive replies, and updating them when things change.
- The Buyer's Solicitor and Pre-Contract Enquiries — reviewing the pack first and raising only necessary, proportionate enquiries.
- Departing from the Protocol and Consequences of Breach — when you can deviate to protect your client, and what follows if the Protocol isn't met.