Breakout Sessions | 19 NOV 2024

Breakout Session Agenda

(Gracechurch Hub)

10:30

Digitising Commercial Real Estate

What is the current state of digitisation and technology adoption within commercial real estate? Our panel dives into assessing where technology adoption stands among commercial firms and departments, what is driving change, which challenges are potentially holding back commercial solicitors from digitising their process, and which types of transactions are experiencing the most disruption.

11:30

The importance of community for digital conveyancers

Data from the Digital Conveyancing Maturity Index found firms that are part of membership organisations scored 10% higher on average when it comes to their advancement with digitising conveyancing. This round table will explore the importance and value of conveyancers working together as a community to share knowledge, ideas, and experience that can benefit everyone involved in the process.

13:20

How Pearson Solicitors made digital conveyancing a priority

Victoria Marshall, Solicitor at Pearson Solicitors shares insight into how the firm has approached digitising their conveyancing process, with an emphasis on digital client onboarding. In this case study, we’ll explore:

• Why Pearson Solicitors have moved to paper-lite processes
• How they evaluated the available technology options to choose what best fits the firms’ needs
• Why technology adds value in supporting legal expertise
• The importance of tools that are flexible, support compliance, and meet both the conveyancer and client needs

13:40

Preparing for change: How to approach digital transformation in conveyancing

When approaching your digital conveyancing strategy there are numerous considerations from choosing your technology and suppliers to change management. In this 20-minute masterclass, Shona Kaye from Lanterna Consulting and Nisha Morjaria, Director and Head of Innovation at Talbots Law will explore the most pertinent factors conveyancers need to consider in their digital adoption journey including:

• Understanding your individual firm needs and taking a baseline of existing technology and resource
• How to build a digital conveyancing strategy
• The importance of integration and technology ecosystems
• How to get your staff and clients on board with new tech

Breakout Session Agenda

(Ludgate Library)

We're joined by Women in Residential Property, a network that connects women from all sectors of the residential property industry. Throughout the day there will be informative sessions, the opportunity to take part in industry research, and network with your fellow peers. We'll be running sessions in both the morning and afternoon to ensure you can visit at a time that works around the other sessions you are planning to attend.

10:45

and

13:30

Intro to Women in Residential Property

Founded in 2017, Women In Residential Property is a network that spans all sectors of residential property from development through to conveyancing, surveying, estate agency and all sectors in between.

Originally a networking group for women, it has evolved to welcome men and those who identify as non-binary. The ultimate purpose is to positively influence the residential property industry across the UK and all its sub sectors so that we can deliver on our mission to educate, empower and support all those within residential property, achieving gender equity in a thriving, inclusive and sustainable industry.

During this session our committee members will share our purpose, mission and values; what we have achieved so far, what our plans are for the future and how you can get involved.

11:00

and

13:45

It's time to lose 'Dear Sirs'

Did you know that 'Dear Sirs' is the default salutation in legal correspondence, even when the recipient is a woman?

From selling a house to filing for divorce, it's been that way forever, and it remains the accepted standard to this day. Like many small customs of industry, 'Dear Sirs' is so established that we don't even notice it anymore. So why is eradicating 'Dear Sirs' important? Because language matters. It influences power dynamics and shapes culture.

Dear Sirs is archaic and sexist, does not reflect contemporary society and alienates half of us with the stroke of a pen. The goal is to eradicate its use through conversation and education by challenging convention. It's high time we modernise business language to mirror and respect our wonderfully diverse workforce.

Hear Ellie talk about the campaign she started and take the opportunity to join over 1,500 industry colleagues who have already signed the petition, to support the elimination of Dear Sirs, taking a step towards fairer, more equal and happier workplaces.

11:15

and

14:00

Your voice. Your experience. Your story.

Launching what we anticipate to be the largest survey ever conducted of women in residential property!

Whilst there have been efforts over recent years to amplify women’s voices and acknowledge that women working in the sector may have different experiences from men, there is very little, if any, research (and therefore data) that actually collates the voices and experiences of women. There is also anecdotal evidence of these voices being suppressed, including the use of NDAs to silence women. The result being that, for those wishing to see real change within the sector, we hear the same voices being used to shape our industry and, in some circumstances, dismiss the lived experience of women by citing the lack of visible data as proof that there is ‘nothing to see here.’

This study aims to fill at least some of that data void, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches in an anonymous survey. By employing a mixed-methods design, this research will not only collect numerical data to identify patterns and trends but also capture the subjective experiences and insights of women in the residential property sector through open-ended questions. By directly listening to, collating and analysing the experiences of women within the residential property industry it is our intention to create the first report of its kind that brings together the lived experiences of women within the sector. The data and report will then be used to shape future conversations, educate and influence decision makers within the sector, and host a World Cafe event with topics of most value to women within the residential property sector.

Learn more about the survey, our aims and objectives and get information as to how you and your colleagues can share your voice, your experience and your story.

11:30 - 12:20

and

14:15 - 15:00

Meet the members of Women in Residential Property and networking

Meet the members of Women in Residential Property, ask questions, and sign up to join us!