Property lawyers have raised concerns about the Government’s plans to accelerate digitalisation in homebuying processes, warning that insufficient consultation could undermine transaction safeguards.
The criticism follows the publication of the Government’s response to its home buying and selling reform consultation, which outlined proposals to expand the use of digital processes and AI-driven systems in property transactions.
Consultation concerns
The Conveyancing Task Force (CTF), representing property lawyers, has warned that the reforms risk repeating errors made during the development of the Building Safety Act 2022, when frontline legal expertise was reportedly overlooked despite significant implications for leasehold conveyancing.
The organisation also cited recently introduced anti-money laundering requirements as evidence that policy changes continue to be implemented without adequate consideration of their practical impact on conveyancing firms. Such regulatory shifts can affect transparency and trust in property transactions, according to industry observers.
Stephen Larcombe, spokesperson for the CTF, stated: “Integrity in property law is not transitional. It cannot be paused for political convenience, delegated to an algorithm, or traded for greed or speed. Any reform worthy of the name must respect the lessons of the past and the responsibilities of the future.”
Technology versus legal judgment
The CTF is calling on ministers, civil servants and policymakers to ensure homebuying reform is based on credible evidence, legal compliance and professional expertise. The concerns come as homebuyers increasingly focus on property-specific information during the transaction process.
Larcombe added: “The CTF has consistently argued that while technology can support the process, it cannot replace legal judgment or the safeguards that protect homebuying from structural risk.”
Market implications
The debate over digital reform comes at a time when the property sector faces pressure to streamline transactions and reduce completion times. However, legal professionals maintain that speed should not compromise the legal protections that underpin property ownership transfers.
The outcome of this consultation process could affect transaction timelines and costs across the UK property market, with implications for buyers, sellers and conveyancing firms alike.
