Stewart Brymer gave a talk today at the LawWare/Cloud Annual
Conference on what may lie ahead in 2014 for residential property lawyers. His
message was that there should be opportunities for forward-thinking firms, no
matter their size. Delegates were recommended to look at their businesses and
think about how they might best use technology to their advantage. The core
message was to focus on their clients and the service they give. Only by doing
this will they be able to withstand some of the commercial pressures that are
building.
During the presentation reference was made to the Law
Society's review of the residential property process and matters such as a
National Missive; a virtual deal room or platform on which transactions would
be facilitated were discussed. Mention was also made of the proposed electronic
practising certificate which will include a suitably robust digital signature
to exacting EU standards. This will fit with the coming into force of Part 10
of The Land Registration Etc. (Scotland) Act 2012 which will amend the
Requirements of Writing legislation to
permit the use of digital signatures as equivalent to a traditional
"wet" signature.
These and other changes were seen as positive
developments which require to be embraced - if only to decide that the changes
are not for your firm. The Law Society is looking to inform the profession and
that process is under way. In the end of
the day, it is for each individual solicitor or firm to decide what is best for
them.
