2 minutes reading time
(382 words)
Is Digital Data in Conveyancing Creating Clarity or Chaos?
Digitisation is reshaping conveyancing, promising efficiency and speed. However, it also raises questions about the challenges of managing data overload and maintaining client satisfaction. With the industry increasingly reliant on digital tools and platforms, it’s essential to examine whether the rush to innovate is creating more problems than it solves.
A recent industry conference on digitising conveyancing brought these issues into sharp focus. Discussions highlighted the potential for streamlining processes and at the same time discussions have revealed concerns about fragmented data, rising costs, and extended lead times for local searches. These hurdles underscore the need for balanced innovation.
The Strain of Data Overload
Conveyancers now deal with a deluge of digital information, often sourced from multiple, unaligned systems. Tools aimed at streamlining workflows can inadvertently increase complexity, especially when they lack standardisation. Duplication and inconsistencies add to the burden, frustrating both professionals and clients.
Efforts to improve data accessibility, such as the UK government’s £3 million initiative to digitalise local authority-held data, show promise. However, technology alone cannot address the human side of conveyancing, particularly the importance of timely, clear communication.
The Shortage of Conveyancing Solicitors
Compounding these challenges is the imbalance between traditional solicitors and corporate high-volume conveyancers. The latter, driven by efficiency targets, often struggle to provide regular updates to clients. This lack of communication can turn an already stressful process into an overwhelming experience.
Independent conveyancers, by contrast, are often better positioned to deliver personal attention. Yet they are increasingly outnumbered, making their role even more critical in an industry leaning heavily toward automation.
Why Communication Matters
Amid rising digital reliance, effective communication remains key to client satisfaction. It builds trust, reduces errors, and ensures smoother transactions. Conveyancers who focus on regular updates and clear explanations set themselves apart in a competitive market.
Organisations like Independent Personal Search Agents (IPSA) demonstrate the value of combining local expertise with a commitment to client service. Their approach shows that human connection can complement, rather than compete with, technological advances.
The Way Forward
The push for digitisation in conveyancing is essential, but so is maintaining the human touch. To truly succeed, the industry must balance efficiency with transparency, ensuring clients feel informed and valued throughout the process.
For conveyancers, communication isn’t just an add-on—it’s the foundation of a better client experience.
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Comments 6
It definitely needs a mix of both. The tech solution but with human interaction. No matter how good AI gets, I would still want to be dealing with a real person. AI has its place, but not with such a huge thing as the sale/purchase of a property. Our biggest asset.
I want that personal services which is why I like the idea of IPSA and similar. Also the ability of having all documents in one place for easy access by all who need it. This is the way to go. Not some robot churning out what can often be innacurate information. Who is checking the robots? What happens if further down the line when you come to sell the robot got it wrong and you are left in an awful situation?
I think any site that uses robots/AI should clearly state this and users are warned of the dsngers of them getting it wrong. Scary territory we are heading towards!
Are you talking about when we buy a property? We have just been through the worst experience. It took over a year to sell our home, the communication was terrible. We never knew what was happening. The estate agent was bad from the start. She never spoke to us directly. She told us she would keep us updated but never did. The solicitor was the same that she recommended. It was a horrible experience. I would never wish it on anyone.
Both I believe. WHen you buy or sell. The problems seem to be on both sides. Sorry to hear what you've experienced.
One point we can all agree on is the current system is not serving anyone in the process well. Certainly when compared to 20 years ago. Change needs to be accepted. Which changes and when is more difficult. If we focus on a common goal, it is much easier. My goal is regular conveyancing taking 15 days from the sale being agreed. Do others agree with this goal. tjhm
100% agree. That's an excellent goal. I believe it is achievable. The hard bit is getting everyone on the same page and willing to try new/different things.
Communication and collaboration are key (not everybody shares this view) but I look at it from the perspective of the buyers and sellers who desperately want this. I understand the burden this can place on some solicitors, having so many cases etc.
I believe between us, PIP datarooms (where all documents are uploaded relating to the property), plus digital TA forms, and WiggyWam's portal and property workspaces and interactive tools etc. we solve this. PIP datarooms, and the ability for sellers to complete digital forms are currently accessible straight from the agent's property listings on WiggyWam.
Do you realistically think we can achieve 15 days? How?
I'm in agreement about the commuication, but it requires more than that. And we now have the compliance issues regarding Material Information to contend with.