New Conveyancing Association document highlights digital tools to speed up sales

The Conveyancing Association (CA) has launched a new document to help firms benefit from the range of digital services available to support the home buying and selling process.

The trade body’s Future Digital Conveyancing Protocol document includes a range of recommendations for conveyancers acting on behalf of both the buyer and the seller and is designed to help proactive firms make the most of the digital technology available and the greater use of upfront information.

The CA said the protocol has been published in advance of a number of forthcoming initiatives in the technology space which will support process improvements, such as the use of digital ID and digital signatures – HM Land Registry is in pilot on the use of these with a number of firms.

The protocol also pre-empts the next set of National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agent Team (NTSELAT) guidance on the use of material information, which is due in the autumn and is expected to include a review of Part A information, and the launch of Parts B and C.

Beth Rudolf, director of delivery at the CA, said: “This is an opportune time to launch our new Future Digital Conveyancing Protocol.

“Many CA member firms are already using many of the digital aspects within the process already, and it’s clear they – and their clients – are benefiting from them, so we wanted to produce guidance and recommendations for how all conveyancers can make the most of this, and what standards they should be meeting when utilising these aspects.

“This is all contained in the protocol, and it has also been written with one eye on the future, in terms of what is coming down the track, hopefully in the months ahead.”

Conveyancing firms can access the protocol from the download section of the CA website at: https://www.conveyancingassociation.org.uk/industry-guidance-training-and-downloads/