The Law Society is to launch a dry run of its home information pack (HIP) later this month, a year before provision of the controversial home seller's packs becomes mandatory.

The trial will be rolled out on a regional basis, in conjunction with MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates.


Inviting solicitors to take part in the trial, Law Society President Kevin Martin said: 'We have said from the outset that there must be a meaningful dry run to test all aspects of the new regime before the law changes. Feedback from firms involved in this trial will be used as we continue to stress to government the practical problems which may be caused by its dry run.'


The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), the department responsible for introducing HIPs, launched the first phase of a nationwide voluntary dry run in April. Later this month it will publish regulations covering the contents of the packs when they become mandatory on 1 June 2007.


A second phase of the voluntary dry run, when participants will use HIPs complete with home condition reports, is expected to begin in the autumn.


Answering parliamentary questions last week Yvette Cooper, the minister for housing and planning, said many providers were already starting to supply HIPs and the DCLG had been approached by 150 organisations who wanted to take part in the next phase of the pilot.


She said the department would put in place independent testing and research arrangements to monitor the progress of the dry run.