By Legal Futures Associate Hoowla
As many already know about the recent Law Society announcement, the recent updates to the TA6 form were intended to align with the National Trading Standards Estate and Letting Agency Team (NTSELAT) guidance on material information. This move was seen as necessary to ensure compliance with the latest standards.
As of 25 March 2024, Hoowla has been offering both the new TA forms and the previous 4th edition forms. Among the firms we support, nearly five thousand 5th edition forms have already been generated through the Hoowla case management software. These forms are automatically populated with existing details in Hoowla. By automatically populating forms and providing comprehensive support, Hoowla aims to minimise any delays associated with the new TA6 form, which some conveyancers have raised concerns about. Our goal is to streamline the process and mitigate any potential issues that arise from the increased length and complexity of the new forms. These kinds of automation allow solicitors to spend less time on repetitive form-filling and more time on important tasks and identifying information gaps.
We understand there are concerns within the industry regarding the release of the 5th edition forms. As updates about the new TA forms are released, we will continue collaborating with The Law Society and firms to ensure compliance and that Hoowla remains an effective tool in navigating these industry changes.
Tom O’Brien, Hoowla Account Manager, says, “I’m pleased the team rallied around the launch of the new Law Society forms, ensuring they were available for our customers at launch. We pride ourselves on working closely with our customers, listening to their feedback and answering any questions they raise. Providing several frictionless channels of communication ensures we always know how our customers feel about change and allows us to react appropriately. There have been mixed reviews, but overall, most customers have adopted the new versions with the ability to switch back to the older versions if they wish easily.”
We encourage all firms already using the new TA forms via Hoowla to continue doing so. For those still using the 4th edition forms, we recommend familiarising yourselves with the latest forms. Both versions remain available, and we are here to support you with either. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and addressing any concerns you may have during this period.
In a statement from the Law Society, feedback from the legal industry has highlighted the need for clearer communication about these changes. Recognising the concerns raised, the Law Society has postponed the mandatory implementation of the TA6 Property Information Form (5th edition) (2024) for accredited CQS members by six months, extending the deadline to January 15th, 2025. Until then, members will remain compliant with their Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) if they use either the TA6 (4th edition, second revision) (2020) or the new TA6 (5th edition) (2024).
In the coming weeks, they will conduct further consultations with members to fully understand their views on the new form. This process aims to ensure that the updated TA6 form meets the profession’s needs and expectations.
They’ve provided their statement again and included FAQs that might be raised during this time; you can view their TA form FAQs, which mention responding to concerns, consulting with members, and why they made the changes.
If you’re a Hoowla user and would like more guidance on how the forms are filled out on our case management software, our support team are on hand to help and offer any training as required for free.
If you’re not a Hoowla user and would like to see the new TA forms in action and our additional workflow features and automation, book a no-obligation case management demo with Adam Curtis. We offer free, impartial advice to help you make the right decision when choosing new case management software.
