Why Belt and Braces is the Best Approach For Conveyancing

The latest crackdowns by government and the Solicitors Regulation Authority, have paved the way for an increase in cases and fi nes for legal misconduct, as if conveyancers don’t already have enough on their plates!

Couple this with the latest Risk Agenda report from the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) which states it’s a matter of “when not if” a fi rm comes under a cyber-attack and it’s easy to see why many conveyancers are advising solicitors to utilise new technology to protect their reputations and clients’ assets.

Leading provider of regulated property searches, X-Press Legal Services, is recommending legal professionals utilise a single point of access for storing property transaction documentation. It has developed its own Intelligent Conveyancing Online System (ICOS) that encompasses a full suite of due diligence and compliance products providing 24/7 secure access for clients. The fi rst property search company to receive Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation, the highest standard achievable, ICOS ensures all data and documentation is kept digitally safe from cyberattacks and threats.

“Utilising a centralised portal such as our ICOS system, not only ensures the complete fulfi lment of due diligence and compliance requirements to satisfy the SRA but also protects clients from the growing threat of cyber-crime,” commented Lynne Lister, Managing Director at X-Press. “Today’s conveyancers must offer clients a belt and braces approach that ensures complete compliance alongside watertight security and that’s exactly what ICOS delivers.”

Due diligence and compliance products available to order through ICOS, X-Press Legal Service’s online client hub include:

ID Checks – UK and International

A fast, convenient and highly secure way to verify a client's ID and complete checks on their smartphone in a matter of minutes. Fulfi ls all government regulatory requirements around digital ID verifi cation. The International ID check allows you to validate the documentation (including passports and most EU ID cards) of any individual, regardless of nationality.

Proof and Source of Funds Checks

Quickly collates the vital bank information you need to verify the presence and provenance of funds. Proven evidence trail of SOF for SRA compliance (some SOF checks include a free refresh). Regulated by the FCA in relation to Open Banking.

Anti-money Laundering Checks

Fully compliant UK identity and address verifi cation, with in-built mortality, departure, and optional passport, telephone, driving licence and NI number checking. This check can be used for people of any nationality, as long as they are living in the UK.

PEPs and Sanctions Checks

PEPs and Sanctions checks with ongoing monitoring. A notifi cation is triggered should a change in status occur – checking OFAC, EU and HMT Sanctions lists and PEP lists.

Customer Bank Account Checker

Veri¬fi es the bank details to ensure that you are sending or receiving funds to and from the right client bank account.

Fast, convenient and fully compliant, all the above ensure the expected professional standards are met through every step of the conveyancing process, ensuring clients meet the expected SRA standards.

For further details on any of these products visit www.xpresslegal.co.uk

Lynne Lister, Managing Director X-Press Legal Services

All your conveyancing needs in one place

X-Press Legal Services provides professional property searches and reports to the conveyancing sector through our network of offices across England and Wales. Our complete range of products and services are available through ICOS – our online ordering platform – which means we are a one-stop shop for all your conveyancing needs.

Personal and professional with unrivalled customer service. Established and experienced – we have been a trusted partner to hundreds of legal practices since 1998. Local experts – our reports are compiled by people who have an in-depth knowledge of their local area. Our Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation ensures a secure end-to-end service to our conveyancing clients.

CYBER SECURITY COMPLIANCE PRODUCTS

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL SEARCHES PRE & POST COMPLETION

Cyber Essentials Plus certified GDPR compliant Two factor authentification

AMLs Digital IDs Source of Funds Lawyer Checker Bank Account Verification Bankruptcy Residential Commercial Agricultural Environmental Mining Water and Drainage Company Utilities Indemnity Insurances Legal forms SDLT/LTT and Registry Gateway

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