Carole Ankers, chief product & technology officer, poweredbypie
Research published by Zoopla at the end of August states that the number of new sales agreed per estate agent in August was 76% above the 5-year average. Life in lockdown has resulted in many making the decision to move, and this has been further fuelled by the stamp duty holiday. As a result, conveyancers are busier than ever.
Today’s Conveyancer recently reported a 60% rise in conveyancing vacancies on the recruitment website Indeed, indicating that firms are taking swift action to reduce the pressure of increased workloads.
In addition to furloughed staff returning and the recruitment of new personnel, some law firms have discovered how technology can take some of the strain. By using proven solutions that either automate repetitive processes or reduce the time it takes to communicate by the more traditional means of print and post, conveyancers’ time can be liberated to focus on the more complex aspects of legal work.
Glyn Morris, chief executive, Legal Software Suppliers Association (LSSA) comments:
“Technology can certainly be an enabler, allowing law firms to streamline processes and improve the efficiency of traditional working practices. However, to gain the maximum benefit from their selected software solutions, law firms need to be equipped to make informed choices. At the LSSA our desire is to demystify technology and provide the reassurance of the backing of the UK’s only trade association for legal software. There are a plethora of solutions available to law firms and partnering with the right technology provider who is experienced in the sector and who is a member of the LSSA will ensure you have the safeguard its Code of Conduct and the supplier is looking after your best interests.”
Poweredbypie has been a member of the LSSA for a number of years and has recently launched Document Portal. This time-saving tech is available through poweredbypie’s Brighter Law toolkit. Document Portal is a secure online solution which enables solicitors and clients to communicate remotely. It allows the safe exchange of all documentation within the conveyancing process. Through the use of 2 Factor Authentication (the same security level that banks use), Document Portal stores and shares legal documents, accessible only to those with authorised access.
Document Portal is easy to set up and designed to be as user-friendly as possible. A document portfolio can be created which includes intuitive, editable forms and digital signature facility provided by the leading eSignature brand DocuSign.
Digital conveyancing recently moved one step closer with the confirmation that The Law Society and Land Registry now accept both a digital and an electronic signature. This news in combination with the implementation of a solution such as Document Portal, offers a real opportunity to speed up workflows through greater efficiencies and reduce the overall time spent on the process of administration.
Document Portal can also contribute towards reduced transaction times overall. It may take a week or more to print, post, sign and return important documents. With Document Portal these steps are removed. For example: a homebuyer could register for Document Portal for a new property transaction, get the client care pack, open the documents and sign and return them securely in less than an hour.
Given that people are currently less comfortable to meet in-person, providing ID checks can be verified, Document Portal also offers the benefit of a completely remote transaction. This could potentially attract vendors and buyers from further afield, opening-up the market for conveyancing services way beyond new business coming solely from a declining high street.
At poweredbypie, our experts are trusted to develop technology that solves common challenges in the conveyancing industry. Our solutions help streamline processes, improve communications and speed up workflows, offering law firms a competitive advantage and the opportunity to deliver a better service to their own client base.
Our new ‘virtually normal’ world has caused us to think and work very differently. Embracing the latest technological advances can help law firms cope with and conquer whatever challenges the future holds for the industry.
For further information about Document Portal or to book an online demo, please see: https://poweredbypie.co.uk/lp/document-portal.html
This article was submitted to be published by poweredbypie as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Conveyancer. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Conveyancer.
