e-conveyancing case management
It is the aim of the government and conveyancing
firms alike to streamline the practices of the conveyancer, this is achievable through the extended use of computers. Once the new system is fully
integrated much of the conveyancers work would be done online rather than on paper.
One part of the new system that seems to be working well and providing benefits is the case management system. This allows information to be
exchanged between the parties without the need to input search data manually. Legal practices that have already implemented the online case
management system are beginning to see the benefits and are praising the new system. Conveyancers that have integrated the case management
system have seen processing times reduced. This is mostly derived from the smaller amount of administration and data entry required for each case.
The case management system is available due to advances in technology that allow the automatic electronic transfer of data directly from one
software application to another. In the case of conveyancing this system is known as PISCES (The Property Information System Common
Exchange Standard). This software expels the need for the conveyancer to re-type data and keep paper based copies.
Within the case management system there are the steps required to initiate the property searches.
Although each case management system will vary the process for requesting searches should follow a similar pattern each time. The property address
data is extracted and automatically submitted to the online conveyancing
system for validation. Requesting the searches this way leaves less room for human error. The numbers of returned applications due to incorrect
address information is massively reduced. From this point users can select the searches that are relevant to the property in question. Once the
searches have been selected it is simply a case of confirming the order and the searches are requested.
The searches that were requested electronically can be tracked online for progress at any time. This allows the conveyancer to see exactly
how the whole case is progressing as it happens and can update other parties if required. Therefore not only is the conveyancing
process speeded up but it also becomes more transparent for the parties involved.
Overall, the greatest benefits produced from online conveyancing
are greater working efficiencies for the conveyancers along with operational savings for the firm as a whole. The process helps lower the amount
of administration work required and eliminates the need for paper copies of the cases in the office. The PISCES system allows the transfer of
property data from one program to another stopping the need for the conveyancer to re-type details over and over again. As a result of this less
errors are experienced and productivity is increased.
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