In a recent discussion with Roxanne Barker, CEO & Founder of Fix My Legals, we discussed whether the property industry can go it alone rather than wait for Government meddling.
29th Jan 20260 250 3 minutes read Lisa Isaacs
The day I interviewed Roxanne Barker, CEO & Founder of Fix My Legals, she posted a call to arms on LinkedIn. The request was for those in the property industry to declare whether they’d support a voluntary industry-led charter now, rather than wait for Government reforms.
That sentiment underpinned our conversation, which took place just weeks after the buying and selling consultation survey closed but potentially years before any reforms take effect.
“Do I think reform will happen during this Parliament? Realistically, no. I would actually worry if Labour does get this over the line by 2029 as that would suggest the reforms were rushed. There are too many moving parts that need alignment in three years, especially as many of the solutions we need don’t even exist.”
As you would expect, Roxanne engaged with the Government’s buying and selling survey but doubts its ability to deliver the ideology. “Reform is more complex than suggested and as we have seen with HIPs, everyone needs to buy into the idea for it to work. Frankly, the Government doesn’t have enough real life understanding of the stress points and what solutions are required.”
The blame gameRoxanne isn’t laying any blame at the door of agents. Instead, she calls out her own industry. “The reforms concentrate too much on agents when focus should be on improving the legal process. Inexperienced solicitors and cheap conveyancing are the issues.”
Also in the firing line are law firms who take a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ approach; no prescribed timeframe for responses (meaning lawyers can sit on enquiries for months); a resistance to go all-digital and outsourcing to keep costs down.
Moving much of the conveyancing to the start of the transaction will only exacerbate the above, adds Roxanne but, radically, she feels this isn’t a negative. On the contrary.
We might find ourselves in ‘survival of the fittest’ situation. Scrutiny of the Government’s property industry reforms reveals an objective to publish more data on conveyancers, such as their specialisms, speed and quality of service, something Roxanne supports. “If movers could choose conveyancers using easy-to-understand metrics, the weakest, most archaic would be weeded out naturally and that would itself reform conveyancing.”
If there is no rating system, unprofessional lawyers will continue to mislead and mis-sell by charging the same as the very best firms.”
“For example, if law firms were rated like hotels, clients would know what level of service to expect at a glance. A 1* firm may be cheap but the expectation is they’ll be pretty rubbish. Meanwhile, clients would feel justified paying a 5* fee if they received a professional service with a quick completion.
“If there is no rating system, unprofessional lawyers will continue to mislead and mis-sell by charging the same as the very best firms. With a rating system, poor service will be evident, fees will be unjustifiable and the worst offenders will eventually go out of business.”
Depoliticising propertyWe discuss depoliticising property so an independent regulator takes charge, as the Financial Conduct Authority does in the financial service industry. While this would stop the sector becoming a political pawn – it’s not an idea on the table.
So where does that leave reform? Roxanne says current proposals are too much at once and even if mandated, will be impossible to enforce. “Who is going to check, prosecute and fine? It’s unworkable. Laws will be broken.”
Reforms are, however, required as the property industry is going backwards when it comes to completion timeframes. “We can start going it alone, no Government meddling needed,” says Roxanne. “Why wait for reforms that might never happen? We already have a brilliant model that we can emulate.”
Auction is the answerThat model is the auction one. “Upfront information works – we see it at auctions. Buyers have the critical details they need to make decisions and the security of an on-the-spot exchange. Yes, we may have to tinker with the completion time frames but it’s possible to aim for the previous ‘gold’ standard of completion in 12-16 weeks, not the 29 weeks TwentyEA found it took in 2025.”
“Asking agents to voluntarily follow an auction-style model is a realistic self-reform goal. Call it phase one. The framework exists. We’re practicing what I preach at Fix My Legals, using upfront searches to reduce our average completion time to 76 days. Pairing the transaction with the right solicitor is also critical, especially if for leasehold, probate or other complex transactions.”
Phased reform would allow for an auction-style model to be tried and tested first.”
How about surveys? Shouldn’t they be upfront for the ultimate in transparency? “Phased reform would allow for an auction-style model to be tried and tested first. When adopted, phase two could start, such as the requirement to list with a survey report or a digital log book.”
Asking agents to commit to an industry-led charter is half the battle. Getting conveyancers to do the same will be a greater challenge. Whether it’s voluntary starting now or enforced by the Government later, Roxanne is confident that only the best law firms will survive and thrive, giving us all hope for a brighter transactional future.
TagsConveyancing reform Fix My Legals sales process reform 29th Jan 20260 250 3 minutes read Lisa Isaacs Share Facebook X LinkedIn Share via Email
