Surrey Law Society was pleased to welcome representatives from The Law Society of England and Wales to Guildford on Thursday 14 May for a Property Power Hour discussion focused on the future of conveyancing and property practice.
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The session, kindly hosted by TWM Solicitors at their Guildford office, brought together conveyancing practitioners and property specialists from firms across Surrey and the surrounding region to discuss the significant changes and pressures currently affecting the sector.
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The session was led by Law Society President Mark Evans, Clare Harman Clark, Chair of the Law Society’s Property Section Committee, and Nick Denys, Head of Private Law, Technology and Sustainability at The Law Society.
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The panel covered a wide range of current issues affecting conveyancing practitioners, including proposed reforms to the home buying and selling process, digitalisation within conveyancing practice, HMRC’s Mandatory Tax Advisor Registration requirements, the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook, the National Conveyancing Protocol and ongoing developments relating to TA6.
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One area of discussion focused on proposals aimed at reforming the home buying and selling process, including greater use of upfront information, digital property log books and earlier preparation of sales information and searches. The panel also discussed the importance of improving consumer understanding of the conveyancing process and the wider property transaction journey.
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The discussion around digitalisation highlighted both the opportunities and challenges facing the profession. Whilst there is clear momentum towards increased digital working, the panel acknowledged the wide range of views that continue to exist across the conveyancing sector and the practical realities firms are managing as systems and expectations continue to evolve.
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HMRC’s proposed Mandatory Tax Advisor Registration requirements also prompted considerable discussion, particularly around the implications for firms advising on SDLT matters, lender expectations and professional responsibility. The panel outlined The Law Society’s current engagement with government on the issue, alongside guidance that has been developed to assist firms in considering their position.
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The National Conveyancing Protocol was another key topic, with discussion around the need for a more adaptable and modernised framework capable of responding to ongoing changes affecting property practice, including building safety legislation, commonhold, digital signatures, cybersecurity risks and evolving client expectations.
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A recurring theme throughout the session was the cumulative pressure facing smaller high street practices as further regulatory, procedural and technological reforms continue to reshape conveyancing work. The discussion also touched on the increasing pressure on practitioners to deliver ever faster transactions whilst maintaining high levels of client service and compliance.
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One attendee perhaps summed up the realities of modern conveyancing best:
“Conveyancing is expected at Amazon Prime speed, Harrods quality for Lidl pricing.”
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The discussion could easily have continued for several more hours, reflecting both the complexity of conveyancing practice and the sheer number of challenges currently facing practitioners in this area.
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The session provided a valuable opportunity for local practitioners to engage directly with representatives from The Law Society, raise practical concerns and contribute to wider discussions about the future direction of conveyancing practice.
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Surrey Law Society would like to thank all speakers, attendees and TWM Solicitors for their support in making the event such a valuable and engaging discussion.
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