Is your firm struggling with the requirements of Anti-Money Laundering compliance?

You’re not alone. The latest industry standards and guidelines are complex, and the cost of non-compliance can be substantial.

Our infographic highlights the hidden expenses associated with manual KYC checks, missed deadlines, and non-compliance penalties in 2025. It also shows how OneSearch can help you significantly lessen these costs and improve your bottom line.

The conveyancing sector is undergoing significant transformation, driven by technological advancements and the need for greater efficiency.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to support various aspects of conveyancing, helping to mitigate persistent challenges and enhancing the overall process.

We’ve taken the industry view from our recent Residential Market Research Report, which surveyed residential property solicitors and conveyancers from across England, Scotland and Wales, and our own experts to collate the following list of benefits that conveyancers can derive from using AI.

1. Automation of labour-intensive tasks 

As part of our market research, we asked conveyancers to select the top three options for the question, ‘where do you see AI being the most useful in real estate?’, the top response was the streamlining of general administrative tasks (28%).

AI could help to reduce the burden of repetitive and mundane chores, allowing conveyancers to focus on higher-value activities. For instance, it can automate the process of document reviewing and data extraction, both of which are typically time-consuming and prone to human error. By leveraging AI, conveyancers can streamline these tasks, improving accuracy and efficiency.   

“AI can take away those labour intensive or laborious tasks, so that you’re allowing conveyancers to focus on the task where they add the most value, and they probably get more satisfaction in their own role day to day,” says Rob Steadman, Sales Director within Landmark Information Group.

2. Risk assessment and management 

Digitisation and automation can also play a supporting role in risk assessment and management. When asked the question “To what extent has digitising and automating certain conveyancing tasks delivered the following benefits in your business?”, nearly three-quarters (74%) of survey respondents said that automating certain tasks had improved risk management for lawyers and conveyancers to a ‘great’ or ‘some’ extent. 

“Understanding risk in a transaction earlier will help to support the process and the workflow management,” says Rob. “AI helps with automation, managing risk, and with the ability to price immediately.”

AI can also analyse vast amounts of data to identify potential risks, such as property disputes, environmental hazards, and compliance issues. This early identification allows conveyancers to address these risks proactively, reducing delays and ensuring smoother transactions. 

3. Enhancing due diligence 

Due diligence is a critical component of the conveyancing process, involving thorough checks on the property’s legal status, ownership, and any potential encumbrances. When asked, “what do you see as benefits of receiving data insights on the property and location,” just under two-thirds (65%) of respondents in our survey said that upfront data insights for transactions would remove delays earlier in the process.

“AI can enhance due diligence by providing comprehensive information, and ensure no critical information is overlooked,” says Allie Parsons, Customer Success Consultant at Landmark Information Group.

AI-powered tools also have the potential to quickly analyse property records, historical data, and other relevant documents to identify any red flags. This can not only speed up the due diligence process but also ensures that no critical information is overlooked. 

4. Improving communication and transparency 

According to our research, when answering the question “Thinking about the transactional process, what is your biggest frustration in your role as a residential conveyancer?”, 31% of conveyancers placed “Poor communication among all the transaction stakeholders”, within their top three concerns, the same level as being chased by or having to chase other stakeholders.

“Effective communication and transparency are essential for successful conveyancing transactions,” says Liz Jarvis, Divisional Director of Legal and Search at Landmark Information Group.  

AI could facilitate this better communication, for example, by providing a centralised platform where all stakeholders can access real-time updates and information. Rob adds: “A central hub that provides real-time updates on the status of various tasks could significantly reduce the time spent chasing information.”

AI-powered chatbots could handle routine enquiries from clients, providing instant responses and reducing the need for manual follow-ups. This improves transparency and keeps all parties informed throughout the transaction. 

5. Document management and verification 

The conveyancing process involves handling numerous documents, from contracts and title deeds to mortgage agreements and compliance certificates. AI has the potential to streamline document management and verification processes.

AI can automate the process of verifying the authenticity and completeness of documents, ensuring that all the necessary paperwork is in order. This can help to reduce the risk of errors and omissions, which can lead to downstream delays and complications in the transaction. 

6. Predictive analytics for market trends 

AI could provide valuable insights into market trends and property values through predictive analytics. By analysing historical data and current market conditions, AI could forecast future trends, helping conveyancers and their clients to make more informed decisions.

For instance, AI could predict property price fluctuations, identify emerging market hotspots, and assess the impact of economic factors on property transactions. This information can be invaluable for conveyancers when advising their clients and planning their strategies. 

7. Enhancing client experience 

Improving the client experience is a key goal for conveyancers. Digitisation, automation, and AI can play a significant role in achieving this. When asked about the extent digitising and automating certain conveyancing tasks delivered benefits to their business, nearly three quarters of our survey respondents (73%) replied that it had improved the overall customer service and customer experience for buyers and sellers by providing a more transparent process. 

“Improving the client experience is key, and AI can personalise updates, reminders, and recommendations based on individual client needs,” says Allie.

For example, AI could send automated notifications about the status of the transaction, upcoming deadlines, and any required actions. This keeps clients engaged and reassured, enhancing their overall experience. 

8. Training and skill development 

When prompted to choose three possible answers to the question: “thinking about your role, what do you think needs to be improved in order to attract and retain more talent in the sector?” The second and third highest selected replies were ‘enhanced training / development support’ (37%)  and ‘better technology to reduce workloads’ (36%).

This opens up the discussion around how AI could support the training and skill development of conveyancers. For instance, AI-powered tools could be used to train new entrants into the profession, providing them with interactive learning experiences and real-time feedback.

“Addressing skill shortages requires a careful balance to ensure that technology enhances rather than suggest it could replace the role of conveyancers” says Rob. AI can simulate various scenarios and challenges that conveyancers may face, helping them develop the necessary skills and knowledge.

This can help to address the skill shortages in the sector and ensure that conveyancers are well-equipped to handle more complex transactions. Allie adds, “AI could support the training and skill development of conveyancers, providing interactive learning experiences and real-time feedback.”

Conclusion 

The integration of AI, as well as digitisation and automation, into conveyancing offers numerous benefits, from automating labour-intensive tasks and enhancing due diligence to improving communication and client experience.

AI offers conveyancers the potential prospect of optimising workflows, minimising potential errors, and reallocating their time to more focus on high-value activities. As the property market continues to evolve and the possibilities of AI expand, choosing the right path may appear daunting. However, seeking guidance, connecting with colleagues to share experiences, and taking a phased approach by improving one key process and building from there can provide a more manageable and ultimately successful implementation strategy.

---

Download Landmark’s Market Research Report – ‘Residential Conveyancing: Looking ahead to 2025’.

We are delighted with the response to OneSearch AML since we unveiled the product last summer; we hope you’ve had the opportunity to explore yourselves into the solutions it can provide your firm when it comes to managing risk and protecting your firm.

We understand the world of Anti Money Laundering can seem overwhelming at times: new regulations, confusing jargon and acronyms… and that’s not forgetting keeping on top of ever-evolving fraud strategies. On top of all that, you may often find yourself explaining this to your clients as well.

To help you conquer compliance, and master your firms AML checks in 2025, we’re offering a downloadable guide packed with practical advice and best practices for conveyancers.

In our guide, you’ll learn about:

• Understanding your KYC/AML Obligations in 2025 
• A comparison of Manual vs Digital AML Checks 
• A detailed explanation about the Safe Harbour Standard
• A guide to the most common AML phrases and what they actually mean 
  
  And also:
  
• A full breakdown on the features and benefits of OneSearch AML, the most comprehensive anti-money laundering solution on the market. 

“Safe Harbour.” We hear this term thrown around in conveyancing teams a lot, but what does it really mean? And is it something you have to do?

Over the years, property fraud has become quite the headache for conveyancers. Fraudsters have been selling properties they don’t own, running off with the cash, and leaving buyers high and dry. The Solicitors Regulation Authority even flagged vendor fraud as an emerging risk in its latest AML Sectoral Risk Assessment.

Naturally, after case law like Dreamvar, lawyers are pretty nervous about getting it wrong. It’s the case that changed the liabilities and responsibilities of lawyers and conveyancers when dealing with residential property transactions. For those who aren’t familiar with the specifics of the case of Dreamvar, here’s what happened…

A fraudster managed to sell a London property worth around £1 million by impersonating the real seller. After the sale, the fraudster (and the money) disappeared into thin air. Fortunately, the Land Registry caught the fraud when the transfer documents came through, so the title never changed hands.

But poor Dreamvar was left with no property and no cash, so they took legal action against their solicitors, alleging negligence and breach of trust. They also sued the fraudster’s solicitor for failing to spot the fraud. Initially, only Dreamvar’s solicitor was found liable, which seemed harsh to many, as the fraudster’s solicitor hadn’t done enough to verify their client’s identity under Money Laundering Regulations (MLR).

The case eventually made its way to the Court of Appeal. There, the judge determined that the solicitors representing the fraudulent property seller should also shoulder some responsibility alongside those representing the deceived buyer for any incurred losses.

Following this, the Law Society updated its Conveyancing Protocol. Now, if you’re acting for the seller (especially if you’re a Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) firm), you need to:

• request details of the bank account for the sale proceeds and
• obtain evidence that the account belongs to the seller, showing that they have had and been using the account for at least 12 months and
• confirm proceeds will only go to that account

This is a great way to ensure the purchase funds are going to the correct person! But let’s face it, fraudsters are still out there trying their luck. Take the case of a Vicar in 2021, who came home to find his house gutted and the locks changed. Someone had stolen his identity and sold his home – and this time, the Land Registry approved the title transfer. It took him two years of legal battles to get his house back!

Safe Harbour protects conveyancers who might unknowingly get caught up in a fraudulent transfer, as the Land Registry won’t hold them liable. The aim is that, by applying the Safe Harbour standard properly, you’ll spot a fraudulent seller right from the start.

---

This is an excerpt of a guest article written by Kayleigh Smale, of Smale Compliance. To continue reading on the Safe Harbour Standard and its potential implications for your business, you can download our detailed guide: Mastering AML compliance in 2025, which is additionally packed with in-depth analysis and actionable information designed to help you navigate the world of Anti-Money Laundering effectively.

On the latest episode of Landmark Talks Property, we sat down with Landmark’s Group Sustainability Director, Chris Loaring, and OneSearch Managing Director, Liz Jarvis, to discuss sustainability in conveyancing.

This conversation explores the critical role of sustainability in the real estate sector, highlighting the challenges and opportunities that arise from climate change reports and regulatory requirements. Chris Loaring discusses the importance of education, the need for support in navigating complex regulations, and the benefits for firms that adopt sustainable practices early. The dialogue emphasizes the evolving landscape of consumer expectations and the necessity for firms to engage with sustainability initiatives proactively.

To read the blog which accompanies this audio podcast, please click here.

To listen to more Landmark Talks Property episodes on Spotify, click here.

To find out more on Landmark’s sustainability offering, and for the opinions from experts across the property industry including Latham & Watkins, Taylor Wimpey, Savills, please visit ⁠sustainability.landmark.co.uk⁠

The state of play

The UK is once again counting down to a looming Stamp Duty deadline, evoking memories of a post-lockdown 2022 Britain.

The market has been chock-a-block with activity from first time buyers for the past few months. Recent home mover activity figures are as high as 64% for the end of 2024 and again at the start of 2025, with buyers having one eye on cheaper mortgage deals, and another on the prospect of higher buying costs on the horizon.

However, the time it takes to complete isn’t improving; average turnaround times continue to creep up and up, meaning those taking their first daunting step onto the housing ladder may fall short of the deadline, especially if part of a larger chain of purchases.

This of course means talk of the dreaded F-word: Fall-throughs. Recent research suggests numbers are rising again in the UK, with an estimated 84,079 fall-throughs during the third quarter of 2024 – the highest quarterly total seen since they peaked in Q3 2022.

The solution

Within a few weeks, SDLT thresholds will revert to pre-relief levels, and many thousands will be faced with the reality of having to amend budgets, or worse, restart from square one, with one of the potential causes being the turnaround time for searches.

OneSearch Express offers the perfect solution, combining the speed of a no-search indemnity policy – created in partnership with Lloyd & White Community Broking Ltd – with the crucial insights of a comprehensive property data report, allowing conveyancers to transact typically within just 24 hours.

And this year OneSearch Express celebrates its tenth birthday, with around 25,000 orders having been placed since 2015.

Liz Jarvis, Managing Director at OneSearch, said: “We know all too well how frustrating it is when Local Authority searches drag on. This creates a huge backlog, especially when caseloads are already bursting at the seams, and it puts immense stress on clients.

“That’s why we designed OneSearch Express – to take some of that pressure off. It gets things moving quickly and efficiently, so homebuyers can settle into their new place sooner, and solicitors can get on with their next case.

“To be here ten years later, talking about how it is still a vital asset for conveyancers, is a fantastic achievement”

What is OneSearch Express?

OneSearch Express provides cover in place of the following searches, which can often cause hold-ups in the conveyancing process:

• A full Chancel Repair Liability search
• A Search of the Local Land Charges Register form LLC1
• A Search of CON29R and/or CON29O records
• A Search of Water and Drainage records on CON29DW
• A search of the Coal Authority’s records on form CON29M
• An environmental risk assessment (excludes Commercial Express)

This allows conveyancers to proceed quickly, even when time is of the essence.

John Margett, Client Relationship Manager at OneSearch, added: “OneSearch Express has been so well received over the past ten years, turning many potential fall-throughs into completions from our clients.

“The key that makes Express unique is our data, something that distinguishes us from other search companies. OneSearch are the only company to possess an extensive database of real-time Local Enquiries information, which we have been collecting over the course of 30-plus years.

“Every single piece of data is meticulously triple checked, and that’s exactly the same process for Express”

OneSearch Express is available for a selection of different sale types, including existing residential, commercial, new build, and more.

John continued: “We offer Express in instances where it makes the most sense, such as remortgages, where in many instances very little has changed since the first Local Search was carried out. House sales for new builds can be considered as well, as the typical exchange is required within 28 days.”

---