The firm has been steadily investing in its IT infrastructure to ensure that e-conveyancing will become a reality for residential property clients as soon as legislation comes into effect.

“We have streamlined our data transfer systems so that documents with organisations such as the Land Registry are filed automatically over the Internet,” says Herbert Bosin, Charles Lucas & Marshall’s IT Manager.

The Government’s timetable for the introduction of e-conveyancing has still to be finalised but whenever and whatever shape it finally takes, Charles Lucas & Marshall’s IT systems have been developed to accommodate the change.

As well as e-conveyancing, house buying will have to absorb further change in June 2007 when Home Information Packs (HIPs) are expected to become compulsory. HIPs have been designed to speed up the house buying process by making the seller provide specific information about their home prior to sale.

At the moment more than a quarter of all house sales in the UK fall through after an offer has been accepted - nearly half because of the problems which emerge when surveys or valuations are carried out.

“The estimated total costs for a purchaser are expected to be around the same or cheaper than at present, but are likely to rise for a seller with some early costs switching from buyer to seller,” says Neil Angel, Head of Charles Lucas & Marshall’s Residential Property Team.

Charles Lucas & Marshall are monitoring all developments closely and the impact they are likely to have on the market. Its Residential Property Team has already put various measures in place to ensure it will effectively cope with future change and has a dedicated and full trained team.

For further information contact Neil Angel on 01235 771234 or by e-mail neil.angel@clmlaw.co.uk