HMRC Regulatory Update: From May 2026, conveyancers filing SDLT returns must register as tax advisers.
Your COLP Can Rely on Consistent SDLT Risk Management. Your Partners Can Point to Robust Controls at PI Renewal.
You have 10 fee earners. Ten different approaches to SDLT. Ten different risk exposures. Your Compliance Officer knows SDLT is a minefield—but they can't be an SDLT expert and oversee everything else.
SDLT Check standardizes SDLT across your entire team. Every fee earner uses the same expert methodology. Every calculation generates the same CQS-compliant audit trail. Every transaction protected by the same £5M indemnity.
Two pricing options: Full Service at £12.50 +VAT per transaction (usually passed on as a disbursement) or Ad Hoc Access for complex cases.
The Mid-Sized Firm Dilemma
You Know This Problem
Junior associate: Uses HMRC calculator, doesn't know about mixed-use rates.
Mid-level fee earner: Googles every complex scenario, spends 45 minutes second-guessing.
Senior associate: Confident but overworked—approves calculations with cursory review.
Your COLP pulls a random file review. Three different SDLT approaches. Two missing audit trails. One calculation that might be wrong.
The question keeping your COLP awake: "What happens when the CQS auditor pulls these same files?"
The Stakes for Mid-Sized Firms
| Risk | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Inconsistent processes | CQS audit finds systemic compliance failure |
| Two SDLT claims in one year | Insurer flags "systemic issue" |
| Systemic issue designation | Premium increases 40-60% (£10,000-£15,000 additional) |
| CQS conditional accreditation | 6-month remediation period, panel reviews |
| Panel loss | 60-80% revenue decline (£300,000-£600,000 for 500-transaction firm) |
| Firm viability threat | Partners consider closure |
You're too big to wing it. You're too small to absorb major claims. This is your highest-risk zone.
Why Mid-Sized Firms Choose SDLT Check
One Standard. Entire Team.
Before SDLT Check:
- ✗NQ uses HMRC calculator, doesn't understand reliefs
- ✗3-year PQE Googles case law, takes 45 minutes per complex case
- ✗Senior associates confident but inconsistent
- ✗COLP discovers gaps during file reviews
- ✗CQS auditor finds inadequate documentation
With SDLT Check:
- ✓Every fee earner uses same expert calculation engine
- ✓Every file has identical audit trail quality
- ✓Every transaction protected by same indemnity
- ✓COLP pulls audit reports instantly
- ✓CQS auditor sees consistent, defensible process
Predictable Cost at Scale
Full Service: £12.50 +VAT per transaction
For all your purchases. Usually added as a disbursement—effectively no cost to the firm. Invoiced monthly.
Ad Hoc Access: From £300 +VAT
For occasional complex cases. Priced by transaction value (£300-£1,150 +VAT).
Full Service example costs:
- • 40 transactions/month: £500 +VAT/month
- • 75 transactions/month: £937.50 +VAT/month
- vs. Two SDLT claims: £74,000-£99,000
Prevent two claims and the tool pays for itself many times over.
The COLP's Best Friend
For Compliance Officers, SDLT Check solves five problems:
Standardization
One process replaces ten individual approaches.
Documentation
Every file has CQS-ready audit trail. No more chasing fee earners for file notes.
Training
NQs and trainees use expert-level tool. Less training burden on seniors.
File Reviews
Pull audit reports instantly. No reconstructing what happened 8 months ago.
CQS Audits
Show auditor: "Every SDLT calculation uses this validated system." Audit takes 30 seconds, not 30 minutes.
"SDLT Check has been great for us and our clients. It has taken the risk away from the firm having to calculate the liability and given clients a platform to answer the questions with detailed assistance knowing help is only at the end of the phone. The smart questions also help greatly as it means clients only need to answer questions which are relevant."
— Bennetts, Bennetts Solicitors
Aug 14, 2025
"Great Product - Easy to use. Our firm has had a brilliant experience using SDLT check, it is straightforward, quick, well priced and reliable. Works great for professionals and individuals. No complaints and would highly recommend this product! Very friendly and supportive staff, always there to assist when needed in no time!"
— Ifrah, Law Firm
Jun 27, 2025
"Set up was easy and our clients are happy with the simple interface. Very helpful for shared ownership in particular and when asking a general question."
— Kenny Solicitors, Kenny Solicitors
Jul 5, 2025
Firm-Wide Implementation
How It Works Across Your Team
Week 1: Setup & Training
- ✓COLP sets up firm account
- ✓Add all fee earners with role assignments
- ✓30-minute team training session
- ✓Mandate use for all complex transactions
Week 2-4: Adoption
- ✓Fee earners start with complex cases
- ✓Confidence builds quickly
- ✓Usage expands organically
- ✓COLP monitors compliance dashboard
Month 2: Full Integration
- ✓Team uses it voluntarily (reduces anxiety)
- ✓File quality improves across the board
- ✓COLP file reviews take 50% less time
- ✓CQS audit prep simplified
Month 3+: Business Impact
- ✓Zero SDLT errors
- ✓PI renewal: Show insurer robust process
- ✓Fee earners accept complex work confidently
- ✓Practice revenue increases
Real Results: Mid-Sized Firm
Henderson & Associates, Leeds
Firm Profile: 14 fee earners, 650 transactions/year, residential and commercial
Before SDLT Check:
- ✗Three SDLT errors in 2 years (total client losses: £34,000)
- ✗Two PI claims, one settled, one litigated
- ✗Premium increased 48%
- ✗CQS audit found inconsistent documentation
- ✗Conditional accreditation with 6-month remediation
- ✗Three lender panels suspended
- ✗COLP spending 15+ hours/week on SDLT remediation
After Implementation (22 months):
- ✓Zero SDLT errors
- ✓CQS re-audit: full accreditation with commendation
- ✓All panels reinstated
- ✓Premium reduced 12% at renewal
- ✓COLP: "SDLT is no longer on my worry list"
- ✓Fee earners accepted 38 complex commercial transactions previously avoided
- ✓Additional revenue: £186,000
Decision-Maker Questions
For Managing Partners: "How do we justify this to partners?"
Show them the math: Cost: £6,000-£11,000/year vs. Risk: £74,000-£99,000 (two claims scenario) vs. Opportunity: £50,000-£150,000 (revenue from accepted complex work). One prevented claim pays for 7-13 years. One accepted high-value transaction you'd have refused? Tool pays for itself. Partners understand risk. Frame this as firm protection, not software expense.
For COLPs: "How does this help me with file reviews and audits?"
File Reviews: Pull SDLT Check audit report for any file. See immediately: What was calculated, Which reliefs were considered, Full methodology with legislative references, Verification record, Indemnity certificate. No chasing fee earners. No reconstructing decisions. 2 minutes per file vs. 15-20 minutes manual review. CQS Audits: Show auditor your firm-wide process. Auditor sees systematic compliance. Not patchwork processes.
For Finance Partners: "What if usage is lower than expected?"
You only pay for what you use. If you calculate 30 transactions in a month, you pay £375. If you calculate 60, you pay £750. No waste. No unused subscription. Most mid-sized firms find usage expands naturally once fee earners experience the confidence and time savings. But you never pay for calculations you don't make.
Getting Started as a Firm
Book Decision-Maker Demo
We'll show COLP + Managing Partner exactly how it works: Live calculation on your complex transaction, Audit trail walkthrough, Compliance dashboard tour, Firm-wide rollout plan.
Pilot with Subset of Team
Start with 3-5 fee earners on complex transactions only. Prove value before full rollout. Most firms skip this. The value is so clear they go straight to firm-wide.
Firm-Wide Rollout
COLP mandates for all purchases with Full Service. Fee earners adopt quickly. Add £12.50 +VAT as a disbursement. Within a month, it's standard practice protecting your whole firm.
Protect Your Firm's Future
Mid-sized firms face the highest risk-to-resources ratio. Too big to ignore systemic risk. Too small to absorb major claim clusters. Your COLP is stretched thin. Your fee earners have inconsistent processes.
SDLT Check standardizes everything. One expert methodology. One audit trail standard. One indemnity protecting everyone. For less than the cost of one claim every 7-13 years.
Questions?
We specialize in helping mid-sized firms implement firm-wide SDLT compliance.
Trusted by 150+ mid-sized firms (6-20 fee earners) across England and Wales. Standardize your process. Protect your practice.