In their recent conference, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) emphasised that the digitisation of transactions alone is insufficient for achieving faster results.
Speakers at the event stressed the importance of providing consumers with upfront information, stating that a collaborative and co-designed approach is crucial to building on existing progress in the home buying and selling system.
The Digital Property Market Steering Group (DPMSG) asserted that enhancing customer outcomes requires concerted efforts and a co-designed approach. Richard Hinton from Twentyconvey highlighted the role of market data. A quote that was shared on the presentation stated: “Firms are drowning in data, but starving for insights”. Hinted also said surveying your clients will help towards generating data and to introduce stakeholders.
What’s more, the DPMSG emerged as a key player in the property market for the upcoming year, with a consensus among panellists that aligning the industry’s various components is essential. The CLC, in its Annual Report, revealed strategic initiatives, including a Code of Conduct review, leveraging its unique approach for improved consumer protection, implementing a revised Compensation Fund, and reducing referrals to the Legal Ombudsman.
The CLC’s 2023 focus on diversity monitoring within the regulated community revealed a diverse entry but persistent challenges in progression for women and individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds. To address this, qualitative research is planned in 2024 to identify barriers and propose actionable changes.
The 2024 business plan underscores the CLC’s commitment to high consumer protection standards, including:
• Continuing to deliver high standards of consumer protection through managed compliance
• The beginning of a rolling review of the Handbook and Guidance – this follows the review of the Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct
• Work to take forward the findings of the Quality Indicators Pilot that reported in 2023
• The implementation of new frameworks for the Compensation Fund and the Adjudication Panel
• The launch of new arrangements for Ongoing Competence
• Further action to improve complaints handling at first tier
• Supporting the transformation of the conveyancing process in the consumer interest
• Further work to address barriers to inclusion in the regulated community and particularly career progression
• Recruitment of new Lay Members to Council
