Today's Conveyancer Podcast

The Today's Conveyancer Podcast welcomes Adrian Jaggard, a Director of Taylor Rose MW and AIIC Holdings, the parent of Taylor Rose MW, FDR Law and Sloth Move, amongst other investments in legal services and technology. 

The discussion centres on the growth of their consultant model of employment which, since launching in 2014, has grown to become one of the largest employers of consultant lawyers in England and Wales. Indeed, AIIC was listed as the fastest growing legal and accounting services group in the UK in the Financial Times in March 2023. 

Adrian himself is a qualified solicitor, and previously ran a successful costs business before founding Taylor Rose with his brother, Antony in 2009. The conversation explores the early days of the consultancy business and how the opportunity came about; and moves on to the drivers for people who embrace the model. cultures, COVID, partnership and career progression and more. 

Adrian is frank about the realities of the model and acknowledges that they have become much better at understanding the types of individuals who thrive in a consultant role, and have improved their supervision structures around them.. They have also worked hard to foster relationships between consultants, and between consultants and those directly employed by Taylor Rose MW. And yes, they do indeed reject applications and terminate consultant arrangements for a variety of reasons. 

The discussion ends with Adrian outlining the opportunity presented by a joint venture with an Australian law firm which has seen the launch of the consultancy business in Australia... which has brought it's own legal, and logistical, challenges! 

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack

In this shortened special edition of the Today's Conveyancer podcast host David Opie is joined by Ochresoft MD Rob Gurney and Landmark Estate Agency Services MD Ben Robinson to discuss the latest Landmark Property Trends Report released recently. 

The quarterly report looks at 4 key stats drawn from a number of sources including HMLR and Landmark's own data, to consider the current state of demand (listings), instructions (Sold Subject to Contract), search volumes (Searches ordered) and completions. 

In this short discussion Rob and Ben discuss the results of the latest report which considers July, August and September's data, and what it means for the rest of 2023 and into 2024. 

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack

Enquiries are the topic of discussion for this latest Today's Conveyancer Podcast. The bane of most conveyancer's existence, there has been much discussion about the volume, and what might be considered triviality, of enquiries raised on property transitions. 

To discuss the issue host David Opie is joined by Peter Ambrose, CEO of The Partnership, a conveyancing firm based in Guildford which completes around 200-300 transactions per month.

The Partnership have seen a 35% increase in the volume of enquiries this year alone, and Peter says there is no doubt that dealing with enquiries is the single largest element of the transaction his lawyers are spending the most time on. 

And without pulling any punches Peter's view is that the situation is only getting worse with increasing numbers of "poor quality enquiries" which he attributes to

• a lack of training
• a fear of the risk posed by not asking the question
• lack of understanding of where the risk is

When probed on the final point Peter points to the source of claims for PI Insurers which include enquiries that are not being passed on from clients; "clients ask questions and we don't answer it at all, or we don't get a satisfactory answer" says Peter.  He also offers a second consideration which is that conveyancers are not asking the right enquiries in the first place

"If a claim is brought against the firm, the first thing that should be done is to review the enquiries; and there often isn't enough transparency around enquiries. They've been raised in emails, or over the phone... in other words not in a structured way. There needs to be a clear audit trail." 

Tracking enquiries is difficult and there is a risk of accusations of dumbing down the law and undermining expertise when people start to talk about mandating enquiries, or templating enquiries. With the launch of a new product called Legalito, Peter is trying to create greater collaboration between conveyancing firms, and better manage the process of enquiries to reduce risk and deliver a better client service.

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack

The latest Today's Conveyancer podcast welcomes on Kevin Johnson and Jeremy Dorkins to discuss their latest venture as founders of On Point Data, a new search company launched in 2023. 

Following significant consolidation of the search market over the past 5 years we are starting to see new ventures enter the fray again. On Point Data is one such example, with Kevin and Jeremy both explaining their desire to provide a client-focused service with "personal attention, and people with experience and knowledge to add value to the relationship."

One of the biggest challenges with searches is their ubiquity; essentially conveyancers can acquire similar or the same searches from different suppliers. So how do you differentiate yourself in such a market?

For Kevin it's about being an extension of the firm; a trusted advisor or part of the back-office team. Helping firms to de-risk transactions by ensuring they have the right processes, identifying the best in class reports and protecting PI. Jeremy points to the freedom many fee earners have to choose their search provider as a risk as different processes can leave firms exposed. 
 
One of the other challenges in 2023 is fitting into an increasingly complicated conveyancing technology eco-system; a challenge both are aware of and are keen to maintain an open dialogue with other organisations and work together to collaborate and ultimately provide conveyancers with what they want and needs; whether that's packets of data imported directly into case management systems to enable to creation of more up front information and analysis; or traditional pdf search reports. 
 
In an enlightening discussion on the future of the search industry, Jeremy and Kevin are honest and forthright and share their views and ambitions for On Point Data and the wider property market. 

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack

Running a busy conveyancing firm has its ups and down and you might have forgiven the latest guest on the Today's Conveyancer podcast if he had packed his bags and walked away when he sold his stake in his law firm in 2019 12 years after he set it up in 2007.

But Simon Thomas returned in May 2021 to set up Montpellier Legal, a conveyancing focused practice in Cheltenham, with the opportunity to do all the things he migth ave got wrong the first time, right this time.

"I missed the thrill, the variety and  and the rush and tumble of conveyancing" he says in a refreshingly honest and open discussion about what it takes to run a conveyancing practice in 2023.

The discussion explores standards (and fostering a desire for continuous professional development), culture, fees, recruitment, technology, sourcing work, regulation, marketing and profit.

On technology Simon says: "a lot of firms make the mistake that technology will do the job for them, and maybe in the future it will, but for the next 2-5 years there is still a a place for quality lawyers handling clients and being very much available for them; there's always the need for the human element."

On culture her adds: "Culture is really important it's about the little things. We have to be thinking about the human touches that we would do in our own personal lives"

On fees: "Our fees are mid-level fees. We believe we're providing a strong value proposition. We stand by our reputation and are proud of our reviews which are there for people to see."

The discussion finishes with Simon's thoughts on the current state of the property market and also addresses his concerns about different regulatory approaches currently in place which create an opportunity for some firms to jointly represent buyers and seller, and others not to.

Simon provides some insight into the inner workings of a conveyancing practice without giving away too many trade secrets!

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack

The latest Today's Conveyancer podcast welcomes Simon McCrum to discuss the contents of his latest book "The Perfect Lawyer" with host David Opie.

There isn't much Simon McCrum doesn't know about running a law firm having been there, done it, and got the t-Shirt. In this discussion Simon shares a little about his background and how he came to run the fastest growing law firms in the country before its acquisition.

He now shares his experience with other law firms as a management consultant and author of 2 books, "The Perfect Legal Business" and "The Perfect Lawyer," and through the course of the discussion Simon provides some fascinating insight into what he considers he did well, and what lessons he learnt along the way; all of which he includes in his books.

He describes how he encourages firms to find and use differentiators across their business and create a culture of buy in across the firm. "The ultimate differentiator is service, but the ultimate challenge is living that" says Simon.  He encourages firms to take a long hard look at their business and ask themselves if they are truly offering a "Bentley service, for a Bentley price."

He moves on to discuss the content of "The Perfect Lawyer" in which he suggests the perfect lawyer is someone who has both pride in their own work and skills, and takes pride in, and understand their responsibilities to, the business; describing how "perfect lawyers" are nurtured by firms. 

This insightful discussion with one of the most passionate and experienced professionals we've had on the podcast is a "must listen" for law firm leaders and aspiring leaders. 

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack

The latest Today’s Conveyancer podcast welcomes Orbital Witness CEO Ed Boulle on to discuss how the explosion of technologies using artificial intelligence is being harnessed to benefit conveyancing lawyers. 

Far from technology replacing lawyers, the work being done by organisations like Orbital Witness is designed to enhance the role of the lawyer say Ed; removing large chunks of the lengthy and laborious review of documentation and instead providing succinct and simple overviews.

The technology implemented by Orbital Witness has been pointed very specifically at leasehold where it will digitise and review a leasehold title with the ambition that by speeding up the process, conveyancers will be able to better scale leasehold transaction work in a similar way to freehold. Interestingly, and a point Ed is keen to make in the discussion, the technology is backed by a wrap-around insurance.

And Ed is keen to point out that Orbital Witness has an established track record in commercial property, drawing on that experience to launch into residential and is working with a number of firms including Knights, Enact, Blacks, Wilkin Chapman and LPL to continue to refine the service.

This interesting discussion touches on the art of the possible when it comes to implementing artificial intelligence into the conveyancing process and explores how technology can help practitioners scale-up legal services.  

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack

Following a break for the Summer, the Today's Conveyancer Podcast returns with more insight and discussion from across the property profession.

In this latest podcast host David Opie is joined by founder and Director Olly Thornton-Berry of Thirdfort, a "Know Your Client" (KYC) "Anti-Money Laundering" (AML) and "Source of Funds" (SoF) platform. The discussion centres on the challenge presented by increasing regulation and burden on property professionals to demonstrate Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and ensure illegitimate funds and criminals are not purchasing property.

CDD and AML is the bane of most conveyancers' lives and as Olly says, is only getting harder in a more regulated world. The single biggest complaint he comes across is the view of professionals that they are now required to be forensic investigators as well as legal professionals, pointing to increasing regulatory responsibilities to verify individuals and funds.

Moreover, Outcomes-Focused Regulation has created so much ambiguity around what firms need to be compliant. "We have this risk-based approach, where firms must be doing "more," without specifying what "more" is" adds Olly.

Olly shares his thoughts on how best to interpret this risk-based approach, and how tools like Thirdfort fit into the equation. He identifies 4 key elements to CDD firms must have processes they can evidence

• Is your client who they say they are?
• Are the documents the are offering up legitimate?
• Is the money from a legitimate source?
• When the transaction completes can you be sure it's same money you have previously verified?

CDD is about identifying the needle in the haystack and he is passionate that we all need to our bit to prevent fraud and money laundering  

There is also evidence that Professional Indemnity Insurance is now having it's say with firms who are using electronic KYC and CDD solutions seeing reductions in premiums according to Olly.

This interesting discussion is a useful recap of the current requirements for law firms and a reminder of the technology solutions available which can be part  of the solution. 

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack

In this shortened edition of the Today's Conveyancer Podcast host David Opie is joined by Ben Robinson (Managing Director, Landmark Estate Agency Services) and Rob Gurney (Managing Director, Ochresoft) to discuss the latest Landmark Property Trends Report covering April, May and June 2022. 

The report considers data at 4 key stages in the transaction cycle; listings, properties sold subject to contract, search volumes, and completions; compiled using information from HM Land Registry and Landmark's own business. 

Since the Q1 report was released, economic uncertainty fuelled by inflation and significant rises in the Bank of England's interest rates has prevailed. If the statistics in April 2023 indicated there may be a turning of the tide, Q2 has brought us back down to earth with a bump, with a downward trend in completions. 

And while the front end of the transaction appears healthy, with listing volumes remaining broadly steady, there are anomalies around demand, and the flow of instructions through to completions.

Stability is the key, as both Ben and Rob explain the numbers and their own views and analysis in this latest discussion. Listen in to hear their thoughts  in full.
 
The next Property Trends Report will be published at the end of Q3 2023 when we'll revisit the topic for further discussion and analysis. 

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack

The latest Today's Conveyancer podcast considers the outlook for transactoin volumes and in turn conveyancers for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024. To find out host David Opie turns to Nick Chadbourne CEO at panel management business LMS. 

Recorded in June, Nick shares insight available through LMS which has extensive coverage of the market by virtue of its relationships with brokers, estate agents and conveyancers.

He discusses the conditions at the end of 2022, and the impact of "Trussonomics" which we have seen play out in the reduced transaction volumes in April and May 2023. Nick also points to the current pipeline which provides a useful indicator of transaction volumes for the remainder of 2023, given it is currently taking c. 4 months to move home. 

In addition to his market insight, Nick shares the journey that LMS are on, and one that he acknowledges has at times been painful. He discusses some of the innovation currently happening in the business and explains how that will impact on conveyancers. 

A useful update on the health of the market, this latest podcast provides  some sobering thoughts for conveyancers as they plan ahead for the remainder of 2023 and into 2024. 

The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. 

Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack