The essential guide to conduct, compliance and competence, and the Legal Services Act
5 January 2012
ETSOS
ETSOS launched in February 2010 with an innovative proposition for the conveyancing industry: a web-enabled search ordering portal that radically simplified and streamlined the process of requesting conveyancing searches and related products. Through this single interface users can order:
- Official Local Authority searches
- Personal Local Authority searches
- Land Registry documents
- Anti-money laundering products
- Planning searches
- Utility searches
- Drainage and water searches
- Energy Performance Certificates
- Fire risk assessments
- Air conditioning surveys
- Asbestos surveys
- Lease plans
- Floor plans
- Virtual tours
- Company searches.
This year ETSOS has sought to increase its value add to clients with a new initiative: the development of a free quotation and referral system that enables conveyancers to capture work from their local estate agents and IFAs, without the need for third-party panel managers. This has recently been extended to estate agents and IFAs as well to enable them to better connect with conveyancers while delivering an enhanced service to customers. Agents can get instant quotes on a conveyance from their panel firms, either from the comfort of their desk or from their iPhone, iPad or Android device when out and about.
The ETSOS system makes the most of the symbiotic relationship between local conveyancers and agents, enabling both parties to help one another – without any costs at all. (The only proviso is that users order searches through the online portal.) Indeed, ETSOS actively encourages its law firm user base to offer the system to its estate agent clients, helping ringfence their business as well as speeding up the whole conveyancing quote and search process. If a conveyance quote does turn into an instruction, all the information is automatically squirted into the ETSOS ordering system without the need for any rekeying; while online real-time case tracking keeps agents informed of progress 24/7.
Ultimately ETSOS is about helping law firms protect their businesses, save them time and money and capture more work from estate agents. With the impending Legal Services Act, it’s felt that the quotation and referral system in particular can give firms a point of difference and a competitive edge, safeguarding existing agent relationships and encouraging the growth of new business.
For more information see www.etsos.co.uk or call 01524 220000
