The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC), formalising a new partnership designed to promote closer collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the two organisations and the broader property sector.
The MoU sets out a shared commitment between the two organisations to advance the digital transformation of the home buying and selling process. It aims to encourage the use of open data standards, improve interoperability between systems and support the delivery of more transparent, efficient and consumer-friendly property transactions.
Both organisations have been key advocates for innovation and reform within the sector. The partnership will see OPDA and the SLC working together to identify areas where data-led solutions and consistent digital frameworks can reduce duplication, cut transaction times and strengthen consumer confidence in the process.
Maria Harris, chair of OPDA, commented:
“The SLC plays a crucial role in representing conveyancers at the heart of the home buying process and we’re delighted to be working together to help deliver a more digital and connected property market.
“Through this partnership, we’ll be able to align our efforts to make data more accessible and interoperable, reduce friction between stakeholders and ultimately make moving home simpler and more transparent for everyone involved.”
The SLC believes it is imperative that conveyancers are deeply involved in the development of open property data standards, and says the MoU with OPDA is an important stepping stone to achieve this goal.
‘OPDA brings together representatives from all the professions and industries involved in the property buying and selling process and the society is delighted to bring the input of licensed conveyancers to the table’, the SLC said in a statement.
SLC chair Simon Law added:
“OPDA has come a long way in a relatively short period of time, and the association will make a very important contribution to the government’s clear intent to streamline the home buying and selling process.
“SLC members’ firms are at the forefront of adoption of enabling technology and it makes eminently good sense for the Society to contribute to ODPA’s work.”
The MoU is part of OPDA’s broader mission to support cross-industry co-operation, bringing together stakeholders from across estate agency, conveyancing, surveying, lending and technology to build an open, trusted framework for property data, the organisation said.
2 responses
Two headlines, one message.
Today we learned that the Open Property Data Association has teamed up with the Society of Licensed Conveyancers to “drive digital transformation.” On the very same day, LawBite – once hailed as a disruptor – collapsed into administration, with no buyers willing to take on its promises.
This isn’t coincidence. It’s a reminder that the fight for the soul of the legal profession is real.
The Post Office Horizon scandal showed us what happens when people are drowned in data but denied justice. If we let powerful law tech corporations dictate reform, we risk repeating those mistakes on a larger scale.
Innovation is welcome. But it must be anchored in integrity, transparency, and the protection of the public interest. That’s why the Conveyancing Task Force’s campaign matters: reform should be led by principle, not by speculative hype.
The question is not whether technology will change our profession—it already is. The question is: will it strengthen trust, or hollow it out?
How do we ensure digital reform serves the public, not just investors?
I have no idea what that word salad of a headline means. But what I do know from what is lacking in the article and press releases, is that this is not going to improve standards in conveyancing and make life easier for clients trying to move house. That will only come when conveyancers are properly supervised and trained.