Webinar Part 1 Now Available: The Q4 to Q1 Reality Check: Avoidable Requisitions and Practical Actions for Conveyancing Firms
Following HM Land Registry’s latest avoidable requisitions data publication on 8 June, Bold Legal Group and Auxilio, in collaboration with HM Land Registry and industry partners, have released the Q4 to Q1 Reality Check webinar. The session brings together sector experts to examine the findings and share practical ways conveyancing firms can improve post-completion performance.
Part 1 of the webinar is available now and can be accessed here. Part 2 will follow on Monday 15 June.
Practical insight across the sector
Chaired by Rob Hailstone, CEO of Bold Legal Group, the webinar brought together:
Roger Holdom, Market Strategy and Customer Training Lead, HM Land Registry
Louise Edwardes, Head of Product, InfoTrack
Kate Forsdike, Senior Partner & Licensed Conveyancer, PCS Legal
Adil Hamid, Co-Founder and Director, Auxilio
The webinar focused on how conveyancing firms can use the latest data to understand where avoidable requisitions are occurring and what practical steps can be taken to reduce repeat errors. Panellists explored the operational realities behind these issues, including pressure on post-completion teams, recurring process gaps, missing information and lender-related pressures.
The discussion also examined how technology, training, process mapping, outsourcing and specialist post-completion support can help firms improve consistency. Speakers highlighted the importance of building quality into the process earlier, using data to pinpoint root causes and improving collaboration between fee-earners and post-completion teams.
Key messages from the webinar:
Continual improvement and attention to detail
Roger Holdom welcomed the sector’s progress, highlighting the reported 7% reduction in avoidable requisition rates and noting the wider improvement seen over the previous 18 months, including an earlier 29% reduction. He stressed, however, that there is still more to do and encouraged firms to use the data to understand where errors are occurring, rather than focusing only on the overall percentage. He pointed to common issues such as missing information, name variations, identity requirements, plans and descriptions, and emphasised the importance of attention to detail when applications are being prepared and submitted.
Roger also highlighted the support HM Land Registry is providing to help firms improve, including application support workshops, technical support, validation, internal caseworker training and the Customer Training Hub. He explained that the Training Hub includes resources such as the Essentials Pack for people new to the industry, application support webinars, new build training and a first registrations module. He also noted that HM Land Registry is working towards all applications having the ability to be pre-checked against avoidable requisition points by 1 November, describing the wider approach as one of “technology, process, and partnership”.
Technology as an enabler across the transaction
Louise Edwardes highlighted the importance of using technology to support the whole conveyancing process, rather than treating it only as a final check before submission. She explained that firms should look at processes, products and suppliers that connect onboarding and pre-completion work with post-completion, so that key information flows through correctly before the AP1 is submitted.
“We want the technology to be doing a lot of the heavy lifting for them, so that by the time they come to do post-completion, it should have flowed nicely through the whole process.”
Louise also explained that Land Registry’s transparency around requisition data helps technology providers build validation tools that can flag potential issues, reduce manual intervention and support firms at both high and low volumes. She noted that reporting is an important part of this, with firms needing visibility of requisition rates, requisition types, user-level activity, risk levels, outstanding requisitions and priority-related issues so they can identify where training or process improvements are needed.
Process mapping, root cause analysis and specialist support
Adil Hamid highlighted that much of the work involved in post-completion takes place before the AP1 is submitted, including checking files, documents and signatures to make sure the application is ready. He warned against relying on technology as a final safety net, explaining that firms need to build quality and checks earlier in the process so that the information going into the system is accurate from the start.
Adil also advised firms to look at their most common avoidable requisitions, carry out root cause analysis and identify where those issues originate in the process. He explained that a post-completion playbook should set out each stage clearly, from completion and SDLT payment through to handover, checks, submission, requisition management, escalation and file closure.
On outsourcing, Adil stressed that specialist support is not an all or nothing decision. He explained that many firms use outsourcing to increase capacity alongside their internal post-completion teams, particularly where volumes fluctuate or where dedicated support is needed. He added that any outsourcing arrangement should include clear service levels, an agreed workflow, a named team, quality control, escalation processes, data security protocols and proper reporting.
Adil commented: “Technology should support the process, but it should not be the only safety net. Most of the work happens before submission, making sure the file is complete, the documents are there and the application is ready to go. Specialist support can help firms build in the checks, reporting and capacity they need earlier in the process, so avoidable issues are prevented rather than dealt with after the event.”
Simple process changes can deliver measurable results
Kate Forsdike shared how PCS Legal reduced its avoidable requisition rate from 7.17% to 3.79% after reviewing its data and identifying where recurring issues were arising. One issue related to the joint tenants or tenants in common box on transfers, which accounted for around 2% of the firm’s avoidable requisition rate. Kate explained that this issue often arose when transfers came in from the seller’s representative with the box not ticked, and this was not being picked up before lodgement.
PCS Legal introduced a checklist for the handover between the conveyancing team and the post-completion team to make sure key details were checked before applications were lodged. Kate explained that the improvement came from reviewing processes, placing greater emphasis on conveyancers double-checking matters before handover and making clear notes where something unusual needed attention. She also highlighted that post-completion work is often misunderstood and now involves far more than submitting the AP1, including lender portal updates, LMS, management companies, notices and additional work linked to stamp duty changes.
Data, training and reporting as routes to improvement
The discussion reinforced that lasting improvement requires a joined-up approach, combining accurate data, practical training, clear reporting and consistent processes. Rather than viewing avoidable requisitions as isolated admin errors, the panel encouraged firms to treat the data as a tool for identifying patterns, improving team understanding and making targeted changes across the transaction journey.
Next steps for firms
The panel concluded by highlighting several practical steps firms can take:
Review avoidable requisitions data and identify repeat patterns. Look at the most common errors, carry out root cause analysis and use the findings to adjust processes and measure improvement over time.
Map the post-completion workflow. Create clear playbooks and checklists so teams understand each stage of the process, from completion and handover through to submission, requisition management and file closure.
Use technology to support earlier checks. Tools that link pre-completion and post-completion stages, support data validation, reduce manual intervention and connect with lender systems can help firms identify issues before submission.
Invest in training and cultural change. Encourage attention to detail, regular feedback and ongoing engagement with HM Land Registry’s training and support resources.
Consider specialist support where appropriate. Outsourcing or managed services can provide additional capacity, structure and reporting, whether a firm needs dedicated post-completion support or extra resource alongside an existing team.
The webinar forms part of a wider industry focus on reducing avoidable requisitions and improving post-completion performance. These themes will be explored further at the Bold Legal Group Conveyancing Conference & Soirée 2026 on 17 June, where industry leaders from HM Land Registry, Auxilio, Taylor Rose MW and Nationwide Building Society will discuss how firms can improve submission quality, reduce avoidable delays and strengthen registration outcomes.
Together, the webinar and conference session reflect the growing industry focus on using data, technology, training and operational improvements to reduce avoidable errors and improve post-completion performance across the conveyancing sector.
For more information about the webinar or to register your interest in receiving the Part 2 recording, please contact info@auxiliouk.com.
