Search turnaround time is often held up as the gold standard in conveyancing. The quicker the result, the better the service – or so the story goes. Yet this Wednesday on IPSA Kind Of Magic, we’ll be putting that assumption to the test.

With host Gareth Wax and IPSA Chairman Hamish McLay, we’ll be joined by two returning guests Sharon Whitney and Bharti Bhuva to take a closer look at why turnaround time isn’t everything. In fact, when you dig beneath the surface, some of the quickest searches on paper can be the most time-consuming for solicitors. Why? Because the information returned isn’t always filtered, checked or even relevant.

Take new developments. It’s not unusual to see an oversupply of data from the Local Authority. Large sites can generate layers of information that don’t apply to every individual plot. Councils, already under pressure with reduced staffing, simply don’t have the time to sift through it all. That’s where a good personal search agent matters. IPSA members are trained to distinguish what’s necessary from what’s not. They refine the search before it reaches the solicitor’s desk – saving hours of legwork down the line.

HM Land Registry also deserves recognition. Their move to centralise local land charges has removed the need to travel to individual councils to collect this data. It’s a modernisation step that saves valuable time. Yet again, that centralised data can sometimes be overenthusiastic. It captures everything, even where not strictly relevant. Once more, it takes professional judgment to sort the signal from the noise.

The difference in approach is key. Corporate models often pass through large volumes of data simply because they don’t have the time or resource to refine it. IPSA members, on the other hand, know their patches. They work with councils day in, day out. That local knowledge enables them to add real value – even if it takes a day or two longer.

So while turnaround time is part of the story, it’s far from the whole picture. Fast isn’t always best. Especially when a slower, more thoughtful search can prevent delays, reduce confusion, and give solicitors only what they truly need to act on.

Join us live at 1pm on Wednesday 6th August for a grounded, practical discussion on what really defines quality in the search process. Comments welcome before, during and after the show.

PS:
For content enquiries: hm@searchandconveysolutions.co.uk
For podcast/media info: gareth@mphats.com