Industry experts discuss latest developments in the conveyancing industry

The Conveyancing Association (CA) is continuing its series of its Regional Technical Workshops in Manchester, at the offices of CA member Countrywide Conveyancing Services. Many of Northern England’s leading conveyancing firms met to discuss how money laundering and recent regulatory developments will affect the house-buying process.

The workshop, kindly being sponsored by Ochresoft, is the first of this year’s programme. They provide a forum for members to exchange experiences and practical guidance on complex issues which can affect the conveyancing process, offering an opportunity to maximise the value of the collective expertise of the CA’s membership.

Eddie Goldsmith, CA Chairman, said: “We are excited to be getting this year’s programme of CA regional workshops underway. The workshops continue to offer real value to our members, providing an effective setting to discuss and examine the latest developments in the sector, consult industry experts and leverage the wealth of experience and insight of our membership”.

The workshop was comprised of two sessions, with the first focusing on money laundering and the second on a review of the CA’s own Technical Protocol, which collates existing guidance from across the industry into a single point of reference for best practice and was launched in December 2013, along with the latest technical developments in the sector, including protection against fraud and the much anticipated introduction of Veyo. Each session was chaired by an industry expert with Bill Jones, Managing Partner, JMW Solicitors LLP and Managing Director of ML Solutions 4U Ltd leading the money laundering session and Paul Butt, Consultant Solicitor, Rowlinsons Solicitors Ltd, chairing the technical conveyancing update.

Bill Jones said: “The Conveyancing Association’s Regional Workshops have proved to be invaluable for its members. The sessions provide a great platform for discussion on relevant conveyancing topics. I am delighted to be speaking again at the Manchester workshop when I will be covering the subject of money laundering compliance and in particular the regulatory requirements for client ID verification and client/matter due diligence.”

Paul Butt said: “Once again the Conveyancing Association’s regular Regional Workshops will allow members to keep up to date with issues relevant to themselves and their clients – including protection against fraud and Veyo. They also allow current concerns to be discussed in an informal but professional setting.”

John Wareing, Senior Account Manager at Ochresoft, said: “Ochresoft have a decade’s experience producing risk-managed legal workflow software for hundreds of law firms across the UK. We understand the importance of compliance because we’re lawyers too. Intelliworks Conveyancing is a complete, mature system which continues to grow more powerful. Our next release adds new features for best practice such as CML 1&2 and automatic download of Land Registry data.”