Conveyancing by Internet?

An anonymous major law firm is putting out feelers to set up an online conveyancing operation in York. It could mean hundreds of new jobs. But are the city's conventional law firms happy about this potential high tech newcomer on their patch? Emma Harrison finds out.

There's a history of sensitivity by law practices when it comes to conveyancing.

Weaving a way through the complexity of property sales is generally a major part of their income.

Back in the early 1980s lawyers were in uproar, crying 'foul' when shops dealing exclusively in conveyancing set up cut-price services in their midst.

The traditionalists weathered that storm because the public generally preferred to rely on a solicitor to tie up any loose ends that might exist on what was often the most important purchase they would ever make.

So how anxious were the lawyers of York when they learned that a law firm has ambitious plans to set up a centre for customers who want to use the telephone or the Internet to carry out property conveyancing more swiftly and efficiently?

York's Inward Investment Board took out an advertisement in the Evening Press calling for people interested to send their CVs.

That way the innovative law firm might be persuaded finally to set up in York on the basis of the depth of available necessary skills all along York's commuter belt.

The tactic worked with CPP Card Protection Plan. It brought more than 350 people to the city, and now has a planned payroll of more than 1,200 staff so... it could be a case of ditto here.

So what do the established solicitors in York have to say about the prospect?

Well, they are putting a brave, even placatory face on it but there is no question that should its on-line services arrive in York and be of great size it will have serious consequences for conveyancing practices.

So much is admitted by John Yeomans, president of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and a solicitor at Harrowell Shaftoe in Clifton Moorgate.

He says: "The fact that so much important personal business is dealt with on-line nowadays suggests that there is bound to be a market for on-line conveyancing and therefore hopefully these new jobs will be sustainable."

But Mr Yeomans appreciates the plans could affect his own practice. He says: "Speaking as a solicitor, obviously the size of the on-line conveyancing market is an important question because it will have serious consequences for our own conveyancing practice."

Only the larger operators like his own firm could afford the technology to offer on-line conveyancing and e-commerce as a competitive option.

"It is unlikely that all conveyancing services will be dealt with by e-commerce but it will be a significant part in the provision of these services in the future. It seems to me that there will remain a market for the traditional provision of service which of course has the advantage of being done by one's own solicitor. The benefit of local knowledge and contacts must be an important factor."

That view is echoed by Catherine Copp, the new head of conveyancing at York solicitors Carrick Carr and Wright.

She can see the benefit of an on-line service if people could not get to see a solicitor during working hours but still believes that clients prefer personal contact. "The majority still need someone they can talk to and see, going through their papers with them.

"I am very wary of on-line conveyancing because my approach is to provide a very personal service to the client.

"Moving house is so stressful and you need the reassurance of personal contact. I always prefer to explain face-to-face the contract and mortgage papers. People need a helping hand because it is complicated and confusing."

Mrs Copp has some powerful establishment allies on that score, including Roger Dixon, president of the Yorkshire Law Society.

He says: "In many cases property transactions are linked to matrimonial settlements or deceased estates and it is unlikely that all these related services would be offered by an on-line firm.

"It is my experience that the majority of those of whom we seek to serve prefer personal face-to-face contact with their solicitor. Problems can be resolved quicker and more complex issues explained and understood."

In other words technology is a useful tool not the ultimate weapon.

But yet to be tested is whether technology and human-face traditions can survive side-by-side...

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.