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22 November 2007 / Matt Le Breton
Issue: 7298 / Categories: Features , Property
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A great leap forward

Matt Le Breton puts the case for online transactions

In the UK we have a conveyancing process that is well established and trusted. Its major strengths are that it has respected processes and procedures and a practice of pre-contract searches which highlight issues at an early stage and subsequently any identified risks can cost effectively be insured. However, the introduction of new legislation—most recently the fumbled launch of home information packs (HIPs)—means that the burden on the conveyancer has been increased to meet market demands.

There is a constant pressure on individuals and companies alike to find ways to save time and money. The introduction of online services into conveyancing workflows goes a long way to meeting these needs, which can only be an advantage in this modern world where increasing the margins on transactions requires time-saving procedures and greater efficiency generally.

GOVERNMENT BACKS E-CONVEYANCING

The government has been backing the move to make the conveyancing process an online procedure and has stated that it wants to “improve the national systems of

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

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Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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