Law Society postpones compulsory use of new TA6 form

The Law Society has postponed plans to make use of its new TA6 form compulsory amid backlash from conveyancers.

The new TA6 form was launched in March, covering parts B and C of the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team material information guidance such as information on restrictive covenants and flood risks.

It was set to replace the current form but members have complained that they weren’t consulted on the changes and expressed concerns that it could open them up to legal liability issues.

Ian Jeffery, chief executive of the Law Society, said: “We have listened to recent feedback and recognise that we have not yet persuaded enough of our colleagues on those particular changes, so we need to do more to communicate with the profession about them.

“Having reflected on the strength of feeling expressed by members on this issue, we have decided to postpone compulsory implementation of the TA6 Property information form (5th edition) (2024) for accredited Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) members for six months while we consult members further.”

The move means that for the period until 15 January 2025, members can use either the TA6 (4th edition, second revision) (2020) or if they use the new TA6 (5th edition, 2024.

Jeffery added: “In the coming weeks, we will consult members further about the content of the TA6 (5th edition) to ensure we understand the full range of member views.

“In the meantime, we know some members are using the new form or readying themselves to do so, and we would encourage them to continue in that way.”

The Property Lawyers Action Group, which has been calling for a vote of no-confidence in the Law Society over the changes, questioned why the form is only being postponed rather than withdrawn.

The group said in a statement: “This would imply the Law Society has already made up its mind. 

“PLAG considers the Law Society’s Announcement unfortunately to be condescending, especially as one solicitor has remarked for instance, that he felt like his own representative body, had declared war on its own members. 

“At the centre of the controversy regarding the TA6 is the need for transparency, so the Law Society’s actions become much more pellucid. Equally, there needs to be a real debate with its members, regarding their relationship with law tech in 2024.”