Today's Conveyancer Podcast

Today's Conveyancer
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The Today's Conveyancer Podcast introduces listeners to the wide array of individuals and organisations who contribute to the success of the conveyancing industry. With a mix of business and industry insight, innovation, and knowledge sharing, the podcast is a "must-listen" for property professionals.

  1. JAN 31

    Challenger, collaborator, or both? From South Africa to the suburbs

    From South Africa to the suburbs... the latest Today's Conveyancer podcast welcomes property market digital transformation specialists e4 Strategic on to discuss the property market evolution achieved in their native South Africa, and how they are now looking at what can be done to introduce similar initiatives in the UK.  Joining podcast host David Opie is e4 Strategic CEO Simon Slater to discuss the origins of the business in turning a very analogue process in the country into a fully digital workflow environment. During his 20+ years with the business he has overseen the development of a platform that today connects all major stakeholders involved in a South African property transaction. This includes the “Big Six” mortgage lenders, virtually all conveyancing firms in the country, major municipalities, tax authorities, and the Deeds Office – South Africa’s equivalent of HM Land Registry. Referencing the discussions happening in the UK, this deep integration means that South African transactions benefit from a unified flow of data. Lenders, conveyancers, and government bodies all access the same information, much of it fed through the infrastructure developed by e4. The result is real‑time visibility across the entire workflow, from mortgage offer to final registration. But, like others who have come to the UK from other jurisdictions, Slater acknowledges the structural differences between the South African and UK home‑moving markets Although the South African conveyancing system shares roots in English law, there are notable differences. For example, property offers are binding at the outset, much like in Scotland, removing some of the uncertainty familiar to practitioners in England and Wales.  When e4 arrived in the UK in 2021, Slater and his team quickly identified a familiar opportunity: improving the relationship between lenders and conveyancers by digitising the core interactions that sit at the heart of every transaction. At present, these interactions are overwhelmingly reliant on slow, manual channels. Email remains the dominant tool, often burdened with long PDF attachments and cumbersome document trails. Lenders receive “thousands” of post‑valuation queries every month, with conveyancers equally frustrated by the lack of clarity and response times. In the time since the property market has moved to become much more receptive to change in Slater's view. Momentum is being driven by: government consultations on home‑moving reform; lender concern about the financial impact of fall‑throughs (estimated at £1.5bn annually);  the growing recognition that digitisation is no longer optional; and an industry‑wide desire for transparency and performance metrics. E4 aims to provide the digital infrastructure that can support this shift: a central platform enabling real‑time communication, structured workflows, secure document exchanges, and data‑driven decision‑making. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsor LEAP Legal Software.

    27 min

  2. JAN 24

    Review of the year; what did the final quarter property numbers tell us?

    In the first of the regular series with Rob Gurney and Ben Robinson, the Today's Conveyancer once again delves into the latest numbers from Landmark's Property Trends report, looking at the final quarter of 2025.  In a year of two halves, the first half of 2025 was characterised by strong transaction numbers , driven in part by the stamp duty‑related push to progress home moves ahead of the 31st March deadline, and optimism surrounding the relatively newly elected government. The second half told a different story, as uncertainty around the Budget led many sellers to hesitate, with falling listings and reduced supply and demand contributing to widespread asking price reductions reported by major portals. But before we get too doom and gloom, it is worth reminding ourselves of the context of the time. New lawyer instructions in Q4 2025 were 17 per cent lower than the same period in 2024, with November alone down 25 per cent year on year. However comparisons to a market artificially inflated by the rush to complete ahead of the SDLT deadline do not compare apples with apples says Gurney.  And when completions are examined, the picture looks less severe, with Q4 2025 completions down only 6 per cent year on year; with December a standout month with the highest number of completions per working day in any month of the year apart from SDLT-influenced March.  The completions‑to‑instructions ratio reached 121 per cent, one of the highest on record, reflecting both subdued new instructions and an extraordinary pre‑Christmas effort to clear pipelines. However, he warns this year‑end surge inevitably left firms entering January with smaller, less mature pipelines, contributing to a quieter start to 2026. Focusing on the underlying numbers rather than headline comparisons will be essential as the market moves through the first quarter of 2026. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsor LEAP Legal Software.

    12 min

  3. JAN 17

    Home buying and selling reform and the role of property logbooks

    In the first episode of the latest series of the Today's Conveyancer Podcast, host David Opie dives into the fast‑evolving world of digital property logbooks joined by Sally Holdway, Director of Homeowners Passport and Sale & Purchase Lead at the Residential Logbook Association (RLBA), and Nigel Walley, CEO of Chimni and Chair of the RLBA. Recorded in the run up to the end of the government's home buying and selling consultation, the discussion explores a view of home moving with property logbooks at the heart of the transaction.  Both Sally and Nigel explain how much of the work done by the RLBA has flown under the radar. While public momentum around logbooks may have seemed slow, Nigel makes it clear that providers have been quietly building the infrastructure for years. Over half a million logbooks are already in circulation, with estate agents and conveyancers steadily adopting them. Success though will be reliant on the information contained in logbooks being 'conveyancer grade' adds Sally; accurate, trusted, and sourced to the same standards conveyancers rely on. That means Land Registry feeds, LLC1 data, and protocol‑compliant forms - not lightweight consumer tools Its a core theme of government's consultation on material information and digital sale packs. Both highlight how logbooks sit at the centre of this shift. Digital sale‑ready packs built from title documents, plans, leases, and protocol forms allow conveyancers to issue contracts the same day an offer is accepted. Time savings of up to 20% are already being recorded. And then there is the long term value not just in terms of an archive for the property data, but also a foundation for an ongoing relationship with their conveyancer. This is the modern equivalent of the old deeds store; only smarter, searchable, and always up to date. If conveyancers want efficiency, reduced risk, and stronger client retention, the message from the RLBA is clear: logbooks are no longer emerging, they’re here. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsor LEAP Legal Software.

    33 min

  4. 11/16/2025

    Outsourcing vs offshoring: what do law firms need to think about?

    In the latest episode of the Today’s Conveyancer podcast, host David Opie is joined by Omar Fatha Rally, founder and CEO of Tellida Limited, to explore the realities of offshoring in the conveyancing sector. The discussion explores the differences between outsourcing and offshoring, and the opportunities presented by using organisations based in similar legal jurisdictions.  Throughout the conversation, the two discuss common misconceptions around offshoring, with Omar keen to highlight the legal and educational alignment between Sri Lanka and the UK; and the importance his business places on due diligence - Tellida’s ISO 27001 certification, GDPR compliance, and rigorous internal training programmes are all part of its commitment to data security and quality assurance. With offices in the UK and Sri Lanka, the firm has been delivering outsourced support services for over 15 years. While traditionally focused on finance and accounting, the company has seen rapid growth in conveyancing support, offering firms a way to ease staffing pressures and improve turnaround times. Omar shares his journey from accountancy into business process outsourcing, and explains how Tellida’s Sri Lankan teams now support UK conveyancers with everything from onboarding to post-completion. The only exception, he notes, is the legal requirement for exchange to be handled by a UK-qualified professional. The discussion also covers supervision, liability, and regulatory compliance. Omar explains how Tellida works within SRA and CLC expectations, with UK firms retaining oversight and control. He is also clear about the lines of resopnsibility and liabilities of both the law firm, and Tellida; a question he acknowledges is gets asked 'a lot!' “It’s not about replacing people" says Omar. "It’s about helping firms grow, improve client service, and keep the industry moving.” The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsor LEAP Legal Software.

    27 min

  5. 11/09/2025

    How do law firms choose the right technology for their business?

    With the growth and consolidation within legal technology it can be a minefield for firms to navigate how to choose the best technology for their business which both serves them now and supports with their future plans.  Even experienced professionals can find the balance between investment, efficiency and compliance challenging. Its a topic on which Cathy Kirby and David Baskerville, legal technology consultants from Baskerville Drummond LLP are well placed to provide their expert insight as the latest Today's Conveyancer Podcast unpacks the complexities of legal tech, infrastructure, and strategic planning for law firms navigating digital transformation. The discussion explores how law firms often underutilise their existing technology, likening it to using only 5% of Microsoft Word’s capabilities. Cathy and David stress the importance of understanding infrastructure readiness, data governance, and internal processes before adopting new tools or AI solutions. They highlight the challenges of integrating systems across departments with differing workflows, and the resurgence of “best of breed” strategies as firms seek more specialised solutions. The conversation also covers the limitations of APIs, the risks of data leakage, and the importance of knowing where master records reside. One topic they are both unequivocal on is cybersecurity, urging firms to prioritise due diligence, supplier audits, and accreditations like Cyber Essentials and ISO. They note increasing pressure from insurers and regulators, and the growing role of these standards in tenders and M&A activity. The episode closes with a powerful reminder: law firms must invest in their IT teams. Cathy and David advocate for mentoring, training, and realistic expectations - emphasising that no single IT manager can be expert in everything from security to strategy. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsor LEAP Legal Software.

    36 min

  6. 11/01/2025

    What are PEXA's plans in the UK?

    David Opie, host of the Today’s Conveyancer Podcast, welcomes back PEXA UK for a timely update. Since first joining the podcast nearly two years ago much has changed both for PEXA and in the property market.  Joining him is Angela Hesketh, PEXA's Head of Market Development, who shares insights into PEXA’s journey since arriving on UK shores some five years ago.  The conversation revisits PEXA’s Australian origins, where it handles 92% of property transactions. Angela clarifies that while the UK system shares similarities, PEXA UK has built its infrastructure from scratch to suit local needs. A payments scheme operating from within the Bank of England, PEXA started out in remortgage, recently surpassing £200m in processed payments.  With the property market undergoing significant digitisation PEXA anticipate its recently launched sale and purchase proposition will play it part in supporting the transformation of the sector.  There are lots of questions to answer is this another example of a network needing all participants engaged to benefit?what happens to client account and interest?where does PEXA fit with other industry initiatives like the Property Data Trust Framework; the and technology solutions already launched from Zoopla and LMS?how much does the digitisation of HM Land Registry drive (or hold back) solutions like PEXA?and much more.  Angela highlights the importance of building the “plumbing” first which for PEXA includes FCA approval for its third party managed accounts (TPMA) solution. PEXA Pay, a key innovation, enables direct movement of lender funds without routing through client accounts. Angela explains how this reduces risk and improves transparency, especially as the UK explores alternatives to traditional client account models. The discussion covers innovation, digitisation, technology and the future of conveyancing as Angela shares her experience both in her role at PEXA and as a former conveyancer herself. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsor LEAP Legal Software.

    40 min

  7. 10/25/2025

    Property trends and Project 28

    In the latest, shorter episode of the Today’s Conveyancer podcast, host David Opie is joined by Rob Gurney, Managing Director at Ochresoft, and Ben Robinson, Managing Director at Landmark Estate Agency Services, to discuss the latest statistics to come out of the quarterly Property Trends Report.  But there's not much to say... the property market is subdued. Despite a “return to normality” following the spring’s SDLT disruptions there has been little sign of the traditional end of Summer bounce. Instructions in July and September were steady at 98% compared with the previous year, while August dipped to 87%. Completions followed suit, although a spike in September’s said more about the weak 2024 market that genuine recovery. Bringing the estate agency view to proceedings, Ben Robinson highlights a record level of price reductions, with some areas seeing more cuts than listings. Supply and demand have both declined, suggesting a shared hesitancy among buyers and sellers. Speculative movers are holding back, wary of potential changes in stamp duty and broader economic uncertainty ahead of the budget.  So the conversation instead turns to a new industry charter aiming to reduce transaction times to 28 days. Project 28 isn’t about technology - it’s about behavioural change. Early instruction of the seller’s conveyancer and trusted upfront data are key commitments. The goal is to improve certainty, reduce fall-throughs, and lift the entire sector. And where individual elements of the sector have little macroeconomic impact, initiatives like Project 28 offer a practical path forward. In a market defined by caution, collaboration and early action may be the key to unlocking progress. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsor LEAP Legal Software.

    15 min

  8. 10/18/2025

    What can be done to improve mental health and wellbeing in legal services?

    As more than half of lawyers say they anticipate leaving their role within the next five years because of poor mental health and wellbeing, the latest Today's Conveyancer Podcast tackles the issue head on with a wide ranging discussion on what organisations can do to protect their staff.  Joining the podcast are Trish McLellan and Niamh Warnock of LawCare; a mental health and wellbeing charity focused on the legal services sector. It has published the results of its survey into the wellbeing of those working across legal services; with concerning results.  Alongside the half of lawyers who said they anticipates leaving their role in the next 5 years, a third said they anticipated leaving the legal sector completely. The normalisation of overworking plays a sizeable role in high levels of burnout and anxiety undermining mental health and wellbeing. 79% of respondents said they regularly work beyond their contracted hours, with nearly 10% saying they worked 21 or more hours. Half of respondents said they had experienced anxiety either often, very often, or all of the time over the last 12 months. All of which suggests the sector faces a 'turning point' with both Trish and Niamh keen to point out there are things organisations can do proactively to support staff and tackle the nearly two thirds of workers who consider their mental health to be ‘poor’. "What’s needed is strong leadership and the commitment to put them in place" said LawCare CEO Elizabeth Rimmer.  There are clear, practical steps that can be taken right now and outlined in the report that lead to a healthier sector, including actively managing workloads to prevent burnout, embedding flexible and hybrid working practices that recognise and support diverse needs and evaluating workplace mental health and wellbeing initiatives to ensure they deliver real impact - equipping people coming into the profession to help them have a sustainable career in law.  The case has been made; we don’t need more evidence. It is time to move on from discussing the problems to implementing solutions.  Read Life in the Law 2025 here on the LawCare website.  The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsor LEAP Legal Software.

    36 min
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The Today's Conveyancer Podcast introduces listeners to the wide array of individuals and organisations who contribute to the success of the conveyancing industry. With a mix of business and industry insight, innovation, and knowledge sharing, the podcast is a "must-listen" for property professionals.

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  • Creator
    Today's Conveyancer
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    142
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Today's Conveyancer Podcast
  • Show Website
    Today's Conveyancer Podcast