Conveyancing and AI: finding the right approach for your firm

Recent research suggests two-thirds of legal professionals now use generative AI (GenAI) for work purposes.

Conveyancers at firms of all sizes are incorporating AI into their workflows – and not just generative AI, which is a specific type of AI model that generates new content.

AI is being used for title, due diligence, document review, drafting standard contracts and workflow automation. In fact, it can be embedded across the whole conveyancing lifecycle.

Digital transformation is propelling this move. Moving conveyancing systems online creates a lot of data – and it’s the type of data that AI is effective at processing.

Start with your business objectives

It is easy to say, “Hey, we’re going to ‘do AI’. Let’s get a generic tool”, and immediately use it.

But if you do that, you’ll miss out on the real benefits.

Look at your technology ecosystem as it currently stands, the challenges you need to address to improve business outcomes and whether AI can help you achieve your aims.

Get specific on your goals and what they entail.

For example, you might want to improve efficiency by reducing turnaround time for clients or be spending less time on repetitive tasks.

That will give you a starting point in identifying the right solution.

Finding the right AI tool for your property team

Most of the software developers for the tools that conveyancers use every day (such as case management systems and different conveyancing products) are already looking at integrating new AI features to enhance their offer.

Separately, AI products are also being built and sold for specific conveyancing use cases.

It’s important to understand how you would apply any new tools in your technology environment. The more integrations there are, the more streamlined your workflows can become.

To standardise processes and ensure AI is pulling through the right information, you’ll need to make sure your data is stored in the right place.

A master system with inputs of clean, quality data will be more likely to lead to outputs with the information you need. Getting this step right is crucial.

AI use cases for property solicitors

AI has the potential to boost efficiency, taking on administrative work and parts of a lawyer’s workload.

These tools can support with tasks such as title checks, search reports, checking mortgage offers and search packages.

These tools can automate tasks such as title documentation and extractions. They can flag up title issues, draft standard forms and contracts, correspondence, and check mortgage offers and search packages.

You can even configure bespoke checklists with tailored prompts to align with your practice and process. This will lead to greater consistency and standardisation.

There are other use cases gaining traction, too: AI tools can communicate with clients, whether that is through chatbot support or giving a client simple updates through an automated voice service.

You’ve got to do the hard work around scoping the right use cases for your firm.

Look at case studies where other law firms have used AI – what worked well? What didn’t? What are the risks?

Navigating risk

Conducting an AI risk assessment before the deployment of a new tool is essential.

That includes reviewing things like data confidentiality, client consent, accuracy of outputs, hallucination risks, bias and unfair decision-making.

It also includes vendor data processing: where is that data going to be stored?

Will the vendor be using your data to train its product? What are the access and security policies?

Your IT and compliance teams should be undertaking those assessments before any product is selected. In fact, it would be prudent to include them as part of your project team.

Build in audit trails, record when you’ve used AI in each matter, and look at whether you can include AI usage in your professional indemnity clause.

Many law firms are also setting out very strict guidance around which AI tools can be used – and when they can be used – to prevent misuse or compromising confidential information.

I would strongly recommend that you bear in mind client disclosure and consent.

Ensure that your client care and business terms are updated to explain how you’re using AI, and confirm that any AI outputs will be evaluated by qualified solicitors at every stage.

The client may also want the option of opting out or opting in to the use of AI in their matters – it comes down to preference.

Nisha and other panelists at a session on 'AI for the modern property lawyer' at the Law Society property conference.

Keep focus on personal development and training

Alongside any AI implementation, your technology strategy must sit side by side with a people strategy that is fit for the AI era.

You need to be clear on how you intend to maintain and develop lawyer knowledge.

If your firm doesn’t do this – and if there are not clear boundaries around the use of AI – there is a risk that some people could become complacent or choose to rely on AI outputs rather than building or applying their own expertise.

It’s also so important to continue supporting your lawyers with professional training and education throughout their careers to ensure that the knowledge and expertise are not degraded – and particularly so those entering the profession can flourish.

Like any technology, AI is an enabler. But it can’t replace professional judgement, negotiation or client care.

Who knows what the future holds, but right now, each legal decision still requires contextualisation, ethical analysis and accountability.

Both the Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have great resources, and governance and risk management considerations that should use to inform your approach.

A phased approach

It’s wonderful that we’re living in a time where these tools are available to support conveyancers and improve the client experience.

I can’t emphasise enough the need for a phased approach – from supplier selection to risk assessment and carefully mapping out how AI can be embedded in your systems and balanced with human expertise.

Modern law requires a re-think of the old ways of working to give you the best chance of meeting each client’s preferences and expectations around service delivery.

But it’s also about using technology to relieve some common frustrations in the conveyancing process – so that you can focus on what matters: strengthening your professional relationships.