The Law Society of England and Wales has published guidance on disability terminology and language to support employers and employees in the workplace. The guide is aimed at ensuring that the legal profession is using the right words, phrases and acronyms when talking about disability.

The Law Society has published guidance on the new video hearings service (VHS) that is being introduced by HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) in 2024. The new VHS will provide a virtual meeting room without the need to switch to another platform; secure and private meeting rooms for judicial office holders; on-demand support from trained teams to assist participants before and during hearings; and, simultaneous interpretation. The Law Society has advised potential users to check that their network can support these hearings, IT systems are up to date and to check the HMCTS guidance on taking part in a hearing using the VHS. Joining instructions will also be sent from a ‘HMCTS.reform.net’ email address.

The Law Society of England and Wales has published guidance for legal advisers on steps they may consider when notifying Companies House that an individual’s identity has been verified under the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006), following reforms introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (ECCTA 2023).

The Law Society has published an interim report providing an update on its 21st Century Justice Project. The report covers the feedback received after the consultation on the Law Society’s Green Paper in October 2023 and outlines the Law Society’s plan of action following the consultation. The plan of action includes how AI can be used responsibly and ethically, increasing awareness and use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms particularly for small businesses, promoting awareness of legal expenses insurance and developing a trusted single online entry point to identify and diagnose legal need.

The Law Society has published a new practice note, providing practical guidance for solicitors and their teams on addressing climate-related risks in property transactions, including residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties. The note covers examples of climate risks, how to advise and represent clients in different transactions, and approaches to valuations and surveys. It is intended for firms of all sizes, regardless of their area of specialisation. It follows the Law Society’s consultation, conducted from 17 September to 31 October 2024, which involved engagement with 20 industry bodies.

The Law Society has published guidance for solicitors, law firms and legal businesses on ensuring that only those authorised under the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA 2007) carry on the conduct of litigation, following the High Court judgment in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys [2025] EWHC 2341. The note explains that the conduct of litigation is a “reserved legal activity”, meaning that only individuals authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) or another approved regulator may undertake it. It provides detailed guidance on distinguishing between the formal “conduct of litigation” — such as issuing, filing and serving applications or statements of case — and other tasks that may be performed by non-authorised staff under appropriate supervision.

The Law Society has published its reactions to the Spring Budget 2024. Law Society president, Nick Emmerson, has welcomed the funding to modernise the justice system and the government’s aim of reducing unnecessary trial delay. However, Emmerson has expressed disappointment at the lack of further funding for criminal legal aid and has reiterated the warning from the courts about the consequences for the criminal justice system if the government does not inject further funding into the system.

The Law Society has published the International Data Insights Report which has found that England and Wales are the legal centre for arbitration and commercial dispute resolution. English law, according to the report, governs trillions of pounds worth of international deals and transactions. The London Commercial Court delivers more written judgments every year than other jurisdictions' major commercial courts.

The Law Society has published the results of its consultation on climate risk and conveyancing, conducted from 17 September to 31 October 2024. The findings revealed significant challenges for solicitors, with 76% of respondents feeling unable to confidently discuss climate risks with clients and 72% expressing interest in additional training or resources. Common challenges identified include a lack of client awareness (73%), uncertainty in advising on climate risks without clear guidance (67%), and insufficient data and resources to inform clients about such risks (38%). To address these concerns and the impact of climate change on property sales, the Law Society is developing a new practice note on climate risk and conveyancing, scheduled for release in spring 2025.

The Law Society has published a technical note on physical climate risks, providing additional guidance for solicitors and their clients on how these risks may impact UK properties. The note covers risks such as coastal erosion, ground stability, heat stress and heat exposure, and wildfires, among other aspects. It supplements the Law Society’s climate change and property practice note, published on 12 May 2025.

The Law Society has published an update on its TA6 form consultation, which received over 1,200 responses from its conveyancing members and other stakeholders. The Law Society is now working with 2CV to analyse the findings to improve the TA6 process and explanatory notes. It seeks to address specific areas of concern, including the form’s complexity and length, difficulty with specific questions, and the need for training and resources for both conveyancers and sellers. The Law Society also plans to provide an implementation period to allow solicitors and clients to familiarise themselves with any changes made, along with providing clear guidance notes and training for conveyancers and clients, and conducting user testing. In the interim, members will remain compliant with the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme if they continue using either the fourth (second revision 2020) or fifth edition of the TA6 form.

The Law Society has updated its guidance on ethical organisational culture. The revised guide reinforces the solicitor’s influence on culture through personal integrity, leadership, and strategic collaboration, while introducing new resources to support ethical practice. Key additions include a model whistleblowing policy template and scenario-based tools tailored to the public sector and hybrid working environments.