Topics

With key reforms reshaping the property sector in NSW, what do conveyancers and other industry professionals need to know? NSW Strata and Property Services Commissioner, Angus Abadee, will discuss the key priorities shaping the future of the sector, and opportunities for conveyancers to build professional capability and support increased consumer confidence in property transactions.

Angus will provide an update on recent and upcoming reforms which aim to lift professional standards and strengthen consumer protections across the property sector.

His presentation will explore current issues, risks and opportunities in the conveyancing process, and the role of conveyancers and other industry professionals in supporting informed and transparent property transactions.

Angus will also discuss the important role of conveyancers in supporting consumers when purchasing a strata property.

A significant part of this session will be dedicated to questions and discussion.

Hear directly from the Commissioner about the issues affecting conveyancers and their clients, ask your questions about the reforms and their practical implications, and join the discussion about the opportunities ahead.

In this session, Josh Wright of Stewart Title will highlight significant claim trends in title insurance, with particular emphasis on two of the most common and costly issues affecting property owners and their conveyancers: enforcement orders related to unapproved building works, and boundary defects.

Drawing on Stewart Title’s real claims experience, Josh will examine how these issues often lay undetected during the conveyancing process and may only be discovered after settlement, when purchasers inherit the associated legal, financial, and practical consequences. Particular attention will be paid to common circumstances whereby the prevalence of these risks is increased.

Claims related to enforcement action taken by local authorities in respect of building works will be addressed, with regard to the effectiveness of the associated vendor warranty provisions in NSW.

Also of key interest for conveyancers will be a review of the trends relating to property boundaries, where assumptions made on face-value can mask underlying title discrepancies. As an ever-prevalent risk in conveyancing, Josh will show how boundaries can bring about a range of problems, including encroachments, unneighborly disputes, loss of use, diminished property value, and costs associated with realignment.

Against this backdrop, Josh will underscore title insurance as an effective risk management tool for protecting against certain title defects that may not be readily identifiable through typical due diligence. Conveyancers will gain practical insight into how title insurance can help safeguard both their clients and their businesses from unexpected losses, while providing greater certainty and peace of mind throughout property transactions.

Peter has over 40 years experience as a lawyer acting in the defence of various professional groups but in particular lawyers. His main area of focus has been in the property and conveyancing area.

Today he will present a series of case snapshots involving actual claims against lawyers and property professionals with a view to discussing how – from a risk management perspective – each claim or complaint could have been avoided by different conduct or advice. The session is intended to be interactive. Peter encourages comments or views from the audience as to how they might have acted in the same scenarios.

Aside from being a partner in a law firm, Peter is also a Senior Member of the New South Wales Civil & Administrative Tribunal sitting in the Occupational Division (which hears and determines disciplinary conduct complaints against lawyers), and in the Consumer & Commercial Division.

Michael Chen, Special Counsel at Barry Nilsson, and Richard Davies, Managing Director at Procare Cyber, will be presenting on recent claim trends and the impact of cyber-related fraud affecting conveyancers.

Michael will give insight into the landscape of claims observed over the past 12 months, offering insights into emerging patterns and their implications for conveyancers operating in today’s climate. 

Richard will then address the growing issue of cyber-related fraud, exploring its prevalence, evolving tactics and the broader implications for conveyancers in order to guard against the risk of fraud.  

Together, these presentations will deliver valuable insights to conveyancers navigating the challenges posed by these developments.

Details to come.