Conveyancing Association updates best practice guide

The Protocol was initially launched in 2013 to outline best practice and deliver a robust and efficient conveyancing service through co-operation.

The Protocol collates guidance from the Law Society, Legal Ombudsman, Council of Mortgage Lenders and case law to provide conveyancers with a single point of reference for this best practice.

The Protocol provides Best Practice Guidance for all member firms which cover off potential issues in the conveyancing process such as: delays in the transaction (from initial communication through to avoiding delays on completion); additional enquires (from avoiding unnecessary ones to preventing last-minute ones); post-completion (covering off Land Registry requisitions); and technical issues (dealing with extensions and alterations through to restrictive covenants and short leases).

Eddie Goldsmith, Chairman of the Conveyancing Association, commented:

“One of the raison d’êtres of The Conveyancing Association is to improve the conveyancing process and to try, where possible, to cut out unnecessary delays, enquiries and any other issues which can hold up the process. In designing this new edition of the Protocol we’ve liaised and deliberated with many stakeholders, updating and amending best practice guidelines and covering off any new points raised since the launch of the first edition back in 2013.

“While it is not compulsory, Conveyancing Association members continue to give the Protocol their full backing and we will carry on looking at all ways and means to ensure we have a smoother conveyancing process which will benefit everyone, not least, the customer. Our aim here is for everyone to take a common sense approach to the conveyancing process; it’s about better communication, higher service levels and taking practical measures to reduce transaction times and facilitate better relationships within the conveyancing community to the benefit of all."