The article argues that the main risk from generative AI in conveyancing is not poor prose but over-reliance on fluent drafts that may omit critical title or lease issues. It says firms should not rely on blanket bans or static policies, but instead build practical human oversight and auditable checks into everyday workflows.
The article reports on an SRA thematic review of source of funds and source of wealth checks in conveyancing, finding a significant proportion of files with inadequate scrutiny or no check at all. It argues that the main issue is not knowledge of the rules, but the practical challenge of applying a risk-based approach consistently under workload pressure, and highlights technology as a way to improve audit trails and decision-making.
The article reports on debate at the Law Society AGM over proposed Rule 8.4 changes affecting who may act as COLP and COFA in firms with unilateral management authority. It also highlights wider concerns about regulatory accountability, consultation quality and the profession’s ability to influence decisions made by representative and regulatory bodies.
HM Land Registry reports a substantial reduction in avoidable requisitions between 2022 and 2025, with the number of error points falling from 839,000 to 439,000. The agency attributes the improvement to better data use, stronger pre-submission checks and more targeted training, while the Council for Licensed Conveyancers says post-completion accuracy remains under close scrutiny.
Industry speakers at the Digital Conveyancing Summit warned that AI adoption in conveyancing must be strategic, coordinated and supported by good data, governance and human oversight. The article highlights growing use of digital tools, but also inconsistent implementation, fraud risks and the need to avoid simply automating inefficient processes.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has paused its proposal to separate COLP and COFA roles from owner-managers and other decision-makers, avoiding an immediate vote of no confidence at the Law Society AGM. However, the debate remains unresolved, with the SME and Boutique Law Firm Alliance continuing to press for evidence-based regulation, greater transparency and a formal challenge to the SRA’s leadership.
The article argues that identity verification alone is insufficient for assessing client and matter risk in conveyancing and wider legal onboarding. It outlines a combined approach using ID checks, AML screening, Source of Funds, Source of Wealth and formal risk assessments to create a fuller compliance picture, with reference to a digital onboarding platform from InfoTrack.
