It’s often said, moving is one of the most stressful things we’ll ever do. It’s complex, it’s complicated, and conveyancers are some of the most capable professionals we’ll ever meet. There couldn’t be a better time for everyone in the property industry to support National Conveyancing Week, which takes place from 20 – 24th March 2023.
We’ve seen first-hand, how the profile of conveyancing has changed over the last few years, but work is still needed to radically improve the quality, efficiency, and outcomes for homeowners in every stage of the process – and indeed, for anyone who’s buying land or property in Britain today.
Hopes and aspirations are embedded in these transactions. Fraud is still prevalent, which makes things even more stressful, and “due diligence” is something that’s imperative but often misunderstood in its importance by purchasers. Conveyancers can change these perceptions, and many businesses are making great in-roads when it comes to improving the experience, but there are two distinct aspects of the industry that could, perhaps, benefit from a little more attention: transformation and talent.
TRANSFORMATION
Transformation – digital transformation, means taking advantage of better access to data and adopting new technology – is now a necessity. Many firms are still trading effectively, with processes they’ve been accustomed to for years but that doesn’t mean they’re working as efficiently – or as profitably – as they could be.
Covid-19 prompted a step-change in working practices and accelerated digitisation strategies. In 2021, 80% of residential property solicitors and conveyancers confirmed that the pandemic accelerated the adoption of new technologies in legal conveyancing departments, with this increasing to 83% in 2022.
National Conveyancing Week will also emphasise the need to adopt or adapt workflows that increase productivity and streamline all conveyancing, so conveyancers have the time to focus on what they do best – the legal work.
Access to robust, accurate information is easier than ever before. In theory then, conveyancing could be faster, risks could be reduced more quickly for all parties, and even more fraud could be mitigated. However, hurdles still exist.
The slow pace of organisational and cultural shift, for example, “risk” (business continuity and cyber security), and technical issues, such as the choices around software, solutions or suppliers are also cited as ongoing challenges to digital transformation. So, what’s the answer?
Well, there’s a consensus that digitisation delivers benefits. The way we view life in general has changed – digital should be a standard, and we know standards offer more secure, less exposed, more efficient outcomes for transactional processes such as conveyancing. At Searchflow, we’re ready with search-oriented advice and support for anyone intent on improving their digital proposition.
TALENT
The other questions on many people’s minds are, ‘How can we improve the industry’s talent pool? How can we make it attractive to a new generation of professionals, and how can we tap into their skills?
The answers surely lie in changing perceptions from the outset and demystifying the complexities of conveyancing overall – even though that may feel uncomfortable for some. By making the whole process simpler and easier to understand, we can free up professionals to invest more time in improving the consumer experience. In turn, that should lead to better perceptions of home-moving, and a greater appetite to explore estate agency, brokerage, or legal services as a career choice.
We’re proud to support the National Conveyancing Week initiative and play our small part in improving the experience for home movers and conveyancing professionals alike. This inaugural event should raise awareness of the vital role that solicitors and agents play in society, and how we keep Britain moving.
Explore these statistics and read more about our Group’s work in this report, created by Landmark Information Group.
This article was submitted to be published by SearchFlow as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Conveyancer. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Conveyancer.