Category: Settlements

Building a successful strategy to manage RBA rate volatility

November 12, 2025

For conveyancers and property lawyers, the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) cash rate isn’t just an economic headline; it is the most volatile element to account for. Over the last year the RBA rates have significantly impacted the market, reaching the lowest level since April 2023 at just 3.6%. From a conveyancing firm perspective, the cash rates continue affect client decision-making and transaction stability. Managing this shifting landscape is strategically imperative for advising your clients and managing your firm’s workload. RBA policy creates two distinct environments, each requiring tailored client counsel. When the RBA is easing (as it has been throughout 2025), clients are often driven by urgency and competition. They rush to secure lower mortgage rates, leading to emotional bidding and potential oversight. In fact, data from respondents in InfoTrack’s 2025 State of Real Estate Report showed that 59% of buyers and sellers completed their property journey in under 3 months. The conveyancer’s role of enforcing due diligence can be particularly challenging during this period as settlement timelines are exacerbated. Ensuring the best outcome for your clients while also conceding to the timely pressures of the market requires agility and adequate resourcing.

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From processor to architect: How the evolving AI frontier will empower lawyers and conveyancers

November 12, 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly moving beyond simple admin automation in conveyancing. The industry’s future will likely involve a hybrid model where AI handles the repetitive, predictive tasks allowing human lawyers and conveyancers to elevate and shift focus onto more complex, strategic work, which requires human judgment. As technology evolves, the pillars of a successful firm will shift, and conveyancers will have an active role in redefining the scope and nature of their work. In this new age, we will move closer towards zero-friction operations with rigorous compliance measures. AI will enable systems that proactively enforce rules, reducing professional risk to near zero. We can expect: Real-time jurisdictional audits: AI will streamline the settlement process by automatically adjusting digital contracts using a client’s address, and the specific state’s latest legislative changes from smoke alarm requirements to stamp duty exemptions.   Fraud and risk prediction: Using predictive analytics trained on historical transaction data, AI will monitor transaction patterns and financial flows in real-time, instantly flagging anomalies associated with fraud or money laundering. This digital detection with human oversight will make transactions profoundly safer and prevent non-compliance before a contract is ever signed. Instantaneous transactions

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Start the financial year strong: four practices to grow your conveyancing firm

June 30, 2025

00:00 The start of a new financial year is an opportunity to reflect on whether your current ways of working are supporting the kind of growth you want to achieve. Whether you are running a solo conveyancing practice or leading a growing legal team, there are practical ways to make your business more scalable, efficient and client focused. These improvements do not require a complete transformation, but they do require intentional choices. A few simple shifts in mindset, process and support can lead to measurable benefits over time. Here are four key practices to help you build momentum and scale with confidence in the new financial year: Strategic automation and delegation Time is one of your most valuable resources, but it is often lost to manual work, repetitive tasks and administrative delays. If too much of your day is spent managing the operational side of matters, it can be difficult to give clients the level of service they expect. This means being deliberate about which tasks require your attention, and which can be handled through technology or external support is a powerful way to reduce administrative burden. In conveyancing, automation might be useful with small routine processes such as extracting

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The essential role of final title searches in property transactions

November 13, 2024

For property lawyers and conveyancers, the property settlement process is complex, requiring careful management to protect clients from potential legal and financial risks. A recent New South Wales Supreme Court case has underscored the critical need for conducting final title searches, which serve as a vital layer of security in transferring property ownership. In this case, the purchasers of a property in Blakehurst, a suburb in the St George area of Sydney, entered a contract to buy a home valued at $4,350,000. To complete the purchase, they obtained a mortgage loan from Westpac, which would be secured against the property following the settlement. However, a complication arose when a third party lodged a caveat against the property just before the final transfer. As a result, the New South Wales Land Registry Services (LRS) informed Westpac that the transfer of ownership and the associated mortgage could not be registered. This unexpected caveat highlights the importance of final title searches, especially close to settlement, to reveal any last-minute claims or encumbrances on a property’s title.  Why final title searches are critical for smooth settlements Final title searches are an essential safeguard for clients. By verifying

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How your firm can thrive this holiday season

November 17, 2023

How your firm can thrive this holiday season The holiday season is usually a time of year for people to wind down and take a break, however firms and business owners often have more responsibilities to consider during this period. Running a firm can be demanding at the best of times but Christmas can be particularly overwhelming with an influx of settlements and the challenge of managing your workload while staff take leave. SettleIT is here to support you this holiday season, ensuring your clients’ needs are met and your practice continues to seamlessly operate, so you can enjoy a well-deserved break. Why taking a break is a priority Australians are collectively sitting on a near-record 209 million days of accrued annual leave as they approach the 2025 summer break (Source: Roy Morgan). When that tidal wave of leave finally breaks over the holiday period, business owners are faced with the challenge to handle a sudden resource gap while still managing client expectations, and tight settlement schedules.  It’s indicated that the main stresses business owners face are profitability, long work hours, staffing concerns and the general survival of the business, however taking annual leave is essential to your wellbeing and it can

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Streamlining legal operations: Thompson Geer’s success story with SettleIT

November 16, 2023

Streamlining legal operations: Thompson Geer’s success story with SettleIT In the world of corporate law, efficiency, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness are paramount. For Thompson Geer, one of Australia’s leading independent corporate law firms, these principles form the foundation of their operations. Specialising in the commercial and legal interests of companies, governments, and institutions, Thompson Geer boasts a diverse range of legal services. This article delves into Thompson Geer’s experience using SettleIT to streamline and enhance the lodgment and registration processes for their legal matters. We spoke to Alexia Booth, Legal Administrative Assistant at TG Legal + Technology, to learn how they implemented SettleIT into their day-to-day operations and how this has benefitted both the firm and their valued clients.  1. When did your firm start using SettleIT and why? “We began using SettleIT around two years ago for a variety of reasons, including to help us manage our constant flow of matters requiring registration, to double check our lodgments with the aim to reduce requisitions and the additional costs of requisitions, and therefore provide the best service for our clients (efficiency and a great costs/benefit ratio).” 2. How has using SettleIT benefited your firm and

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The importance of ethical conduct in conveyancing: best practices for conveyancers

November 8, 2023

The importance of ethical conduct in conveyancing: best practices for conveyancers In the realm of conveyancing, where transactions involving real estate are conducted, the importance of ethical conduct cannot be overstated. Conveyancers play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth transfer of property ownership, and their ethical behaviour is not just a legal obligation but a cornerstone of trust, professionalism, and ultimately, client satisfaction. In this article, we will delve into the significance of ethical conduct in conveyancing, how it ties into quality customer service, and provide best practices that every conveyancer should uphold. Adherence to the industry code of conduct Each state division of the Australian Institute of Conveyancers (AIC) has their own Code of Conduct governing the behaviour of conveyancers. Common topics are present throughout the various codes, including: Client confidentiality, Professional responsibilities, Fairness and social responsibility, and Fees commissions and charges. Ethical conduct requires strict adherence to these codes, which outline the professional standards and responsibilities expected of conveyancers. Familiarise yourself with your local code and ensure continued compliance. Also, inform your clients about the industry’s Code of Conduct and how you are committed to upholding these standards. This transparency

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Why conveyancing should be a key offering of your law firm

April 12, 2023

Why conveyancing should be a key offering of your law firm With the move to a national eConveyancing mandate, and subsequent changes in processes, general law firms are considering whether they should continue servicing clients in the property space. This is largely due to the hurdles of learning new e-settlement systems, implementing new processes and a lack of access to useful training, so it is understandable why many firms are considering referring this work to a qualified conveyancer.  However, general law firms that practice conveyancing not only offer several key benefits to their clients, but this can also act as a means to acquire additional work in other areas of law and provide a full-service offering throughout a client’s lifetime.   Conveyancing unlocks doors to clients Conveyancing has often been viewed as the bread and butter of a firm; a stock standard service offering. However, when considering the bigger picture of client interaction, conveyancing should be considered a much more lucrative business generation opportunity.   Imagine your average couple; the most common reason they will first interact with a lawyer or conveyancer is when they purchase their first home. Ongoing from this, they might need to write a will, which will

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