CQS Developments

Peter RoddCQS Technical Panel

Why we set up CQS

The Society launched CQS with three objectives in mind:

• Firstly, to build, over time, a consumer brand that educated house buyers to seek out solicitors firms who were accredited under the scheme as a the natural choice of conveyancer at a time when regulatory changes were leading to a plethora of new entrants to the market.

• Secondly, to establish a trusted community of conveyancers that would be the natural choice of lenders.

• Thirdly, it recognises minimum standards of practice. Through the use of agreed documentation, common procedures and education CQS facilitates improvements in the process for lenders, borrowers and solicitors.

CQS Update - Membership

Now into its third year of operation:

• We have over 2,800 members

– With a further 2,400 branches

CQS Update – Conveyancing portal

• Portal concept developed to be key benefit and add value to CQS firms

• Will have capability that will support all residential conveyancing market activity

• Functionality maps to conveyancing protocol to ensure quality and consistency

• Vision to be the “go-to hub” for conveyancing solicitors and clients driving traffic and support commercialisation

CQS Update – Conveyancing portal

Objectives and Benefits

• Supporting profession into digital age at pace suitable for firms of all sizes and their business models

• Provide platform for transformational change

• Secure deal room to automate exchange process

• Enabling improvements in client service through automating key areas

• Enhancing the reputation of the profession with key stakeholder through evidencing compliance

CQS Update – Conveyancing portal

Benefits for firms

• cost effective access to robust and secure ICT without investment

• essential business tool enabling streamlining and efficiencies/cost savings

• facilitating regulatory and risk compliance

• drives new business and profitability

• Interface with other checks/stakeholders ( AML, TLR etc )

• Forms on line

CQS Update – Conveyancing portal

Benefits for clients

• Improved customer service/quality and transparency

• Access to legal services through secure online channel

• Improved interaction online/ forms/tracking etc

CQS Update – Conveyancing portal

Benefits for stakeholders

• Improved and consistent process

• Improved access and potential integration

• Potential for panel management

• Improved access to lenders

CQS Update – Conveyancing portal

Firm to firm functionality

• For a specific transaction, ability to set up a secure transactions area (Deal Room) between 2 conveyancers

• “Handshake” between conveyancers to ensure both identified as solicitors/CQS members/trusted community

• Document and Records Management capabilities including version control

• Task Management and Alerting• Workflow check lists• Firms confirm when they are content with Contract document – • Facilitate exchange within secure deal room