When the AI writes the enquiries, who is answering them?
Summary
The article examines how the Law Society’s draft Conveyancing Protocol would affect AI-generated additional enquiries in conveyancing. It argues that the real control on machine-written enquiries is not the AI clause itself, but the protocol’s rules on whether an enquiry is specific, necessary, and not already answerable from publicly available or supplied information.
Why it matters
Residential property surveyors may see fewer, better-targeted enquiries if property data is provided in a more structured and complete form. The piece also highlights the growing importance of accurate, machine-readable information in reducing avoidable back-and-forth during transactions.
Key points
- The draft Conveyancing Protocol says solicitors remain fully responsible for AI outputs and must review them before use.
- Step 15 on additional enquiries is presented as the practical test for whether AI-generated enquiries are valid.
- Generic or publicly answerable enquiries may be declined by the seller’s conveyancer.
- The article links better enquiry quality to better data quality and more complete upfront information.
- The consultation is open until 14 January.
This is an RPSA summary of a publicly available article. The full content remains with the original publisher.
