The Conveyancing Association (CA) has unveiled the sixth iteration of its Conveyancing Technical Protocol.

Initially launched in 2013, the Technical Protocol is the result of CA members, panel management companies, and stakeholders working together to produce a document that seeks to outline best practice, and delivers a robust and efficient conveyancing service through co-operation.

It collates guidance from the Law Society, Legal Ombudsman, UK Finance and case law to provide conveyancers with a point of reference for this best practice.

The CA commends the adoption of the Technical Protocol to all its members and conveyancers generally.

The new edition has been updated in light of a number of new legal amendments, including the Building Safety Act and specifically the extended enforcement of Planning and Building regulations to 10 years in England, from four for planning and 12 months for building regulations. It is still four years in Wales.

Consequently, the CA’s Technical Protocol now includes amendments within its Technical Issues – Dealing with Issues with Extensions & Alterations sections covering both Planning Permission and Building Regulations sections. Within the Protocol, it is also now recommending conveyancers encourage the safety aspects of utilising both Gas Safety Certificates and Electrical Test Reports.

Conveyancing firms can access both the new Technical Protocol and the Digital Conveyancing Protocol from the download section of the CA website by clicking here.

Beth Rudolf, director of delivery at the CA, said: “Our last update to the Technical Protocol took place almost two years ago when we provided a number of updates regarding digital developments and how conveyancing firms could make the most of these efficiency-benefiting opportunities.

“We wanted to ensure the Building Safety Act amendments to both Planning Permission and Building Regulations, specifically within England, were included in the Protocol as soon as possible.

“These amendments to the ‘Technical Issues: Dealing with Issues with Extensions & Alterations’ section, provide firms with the up to date information and guidance on how to approach this. As always, we try to be as exhaustive as possible with the Technical Protocol but the individual merits of each case need to be taken into account, and we accept that established working practices, system limitations and the instructions of the client or lender may prevent its adoption in full.

“With that said, we continue to commend the adoption of this, and our other Protocols and guidance to our membership as an opportunity to improve client satisfaction, while reducing enquiries and administrative workload. We remain committed to reviewing our Protocols regularly to ensure they are up to date and would urge all firms to download and integrate this latest version into their businesses.”