Last month, I was at a digital conveyancing conference, where the excitement around AI and automation was palpable. In the front row, I watched as a product owner enthusiastically showcased new technology that promised to digest 300-page documents in seconds, delivering neat summaries of key findings. To my left, a conveyancer remarked wryly, “Reading through the documents, that’s half the fun.”
That moment captured perfectly what our industry is navigating right now. Like many sectors globally, property and particularly conveyancing is experiencing significant change. The reactions I see range from genuine enthusiasm to thoughtful caution, with many wondering what these shifts mean for their professional future.
As we reflect on this year’s changes and look ahead to 2025, several key trends are shaping our industry:
First, interoperability is becoming reality. Just as Open Banking transformed financial services, we’re seeing similar patterns in property. It’s not about replacing systems that work – it’s about helping them talk to each other more effectively. The progress and adoption of the Property Data Trust Framework has been nothing short of inspiring in 2024. Now there are live and kicking examples (Like our work at Moverly with Connells, LMS and TM Group) of estate agents using technology platforms to start property transactions digitally and to more seamlessly flow information to connected conveyancing partners. In early 2025, we’ll see the early validation of how much open property data can impact transaction processes.
Second, transaction networks are evolving. In 2024, we’ve seen a number of platforms emerge, from LMS’s National Property Transaction Network to the evolution of existing players like PEXA and Coadjute. What are networks? They’re essentially platforms designed to allow the different stages of a property transaction fit together more seamlessly. My bet? The winners in this space will be the open networks that work closely with conveyancers and foster collaboration, rather than systems imposing closed approaches along with hefty licensing fees.
Third, compliance is becoming smarter. Because agents are now increasingly connecting more deeply with conveyancing processes, Reusable ID verification and automated Material Information checks aren’t just box-ticking exercises – they’re opportunities to gather information once and to streamline processes and save time. The Government’s digital reuse scheme is gaining traction and forward-thinking AML providers are considering the best ways to allow conveyancers to reassess reports done earlier in a transaction to avoid the need for duplication and delays.
Fourth, AI tools will find their place – not as replacements for conveyancers, but as assistants handling routine tasks. Early adopting conveyancers will leverage them and improve processes. Adoption will be easier for larger volume players with tech teams focused on how to transition and integrate solutions, but smaller players who are thinking ahead will have access to options that work for them and many will get systems in place.
What gives me hope: I’m seeing more conveyancers engage in these conversations, both at Moverly and in the wider industry groups and discussions we’re a part of. That gentleman in the front row who found joy in the detailed review of documents? His perspective matters. Because lasting improvements in our industry happen when technological innovation is shaped by the practical insights of conveyancing professionals.
As we move into 2025, perhaps the question isn’t whether we’ll adapt to new technologies, but how we’ll shape them to truly serve our industry’s needs. After all, the future of conveyancing isn’t about replacing expertise – it’s about enhancing it.
Gemma Young is the co-founder of Moverly, where she works alongside conveyancers and property professionals to develop practical solutions for the home-moving process
