Hoowla is pleased to be one of the first software providers to collaborate with HM Land Registry on the introduction of new digital validation checks, aimed at reducing requisitions and helping conveyancers avoid unnecessary delays. As HM Land Registry’s second-largest submissions integrator, Hoowla was involved in testing and refining the service ahead of its wider rollout, reinforcing our commitment to delivering practical, forward-thinking conveyancing software for legal professionals.
“I was really pleased Hoowla was part of the test phase of their new digital validation checks,” said Adam Curtis, Managing Director at Hoowla. “Being fully integrated since 2016 with the existing services, and now their second largest integrated system by volume, this further supports our commitment to the conveyancing industry.”
The new digital validation checks form part of HM Land Registry’s broader strategy to improve the speed and accuracy of property registrations. Traditionally, many administrative checks were carried out manually by caseworkers after submission, often resulting in requisitions where applications contained minor errors. With the introduction of automated checks, issues such as incorrect title numbers or spelling mistakes can now be identified immediately during submission, helping conveyancers correct them before applications are processed.
HM Land Registry has said, “By introducing Digital Checks, we aim to help customers get their applications right the first time. These checks bring forward the manual checks undertaken by our caseworkers, often resulting in requests for more information which can cause delays and prevent our caseworkers from processing other applications. Digital checks will therefore improve HMLR processing times and saves both time and money for conveyancers and their clients.”
The move towards digital validation builds on HM Land Registry’s long-standing focus on improving application quality through digital services. By preventing applications with simple administrative errors from progressing through the Digital Registration Service or integrated platforms such as Hoowla, the initiative is expected to significantly reduce delays across the industry. HM Land Registry estimates that its wider digital transformation programme could save firms around 300,000 hours of administrative work annually by 2028.
Hoowla has been actively involved throughout the development and implementation of the project. Earlier this year, the Hoowla platform facilitated the first submission through the updated Digital Registration Service APIs. Since then, more than 200 submissions have been successfully processed through Hoowla using the enhanced system, helping firms benefit from quicker and more dependable application handling.
“Reducing delays and requisitions is at the heart of this project,” said Edd Turtle, Lead Developer at Hoowla. “We’re proud to have supported HM Land Registry in shaping and testing this new phase of digital conveyancing. Their team has taken the time to understand how Hoowla works, and together we’ve developed a system that fits within our processes.”
Requisitions remain one of the most common causes of delay in conveyancing transactions, often arising from small errors that require applications to be amended and resubmitted. By carrying out validation checks at the point of submission, Hoowla users can identify and resolve issues immediately, reducing the risk of lengthy delays and unnecessary communication with caseworkers. This approach helps firms improve both efficiency and accuracy while giving conveyancers greater confidence in the quality of their submissions.
Hoowla is also among the first conveyancing case management systems to make these new digital validation checks available to users, ensuring firms can take advantage of the latest developments in digital conveyancing as soon as they are introduced.
As a modern conveyancing platform, Hoowla continues to develop features and integrations that support legal professionals in managing cases more efficiently. The system provides flexible workflows, streamlined case management tools, and integrations designed to reduce administrative workloads for firms of all sizes. Whether firms are introducing digital registration processes for the first time or enhancing existing workflows, Hoowla helps support productivity and compliance throughout the conveyancing journey.
“Working with our early adopter customers, including Hoowla, has been invaluable.” Sophie Rickards, Senior Product Lead at HM Land Registry continues, “Their feedback helped us understand how digital checks performed in real-world conveyancing scenarios, identify and resolve issues early, and make significant improvements to our developer pack. This collaboration has also ensured the new registration service is fully ready for wider rollout.”
Hoowla’s close working relationship with HM Land Registry reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the conveyancing sector with practical, reliable technology. By integrating new services early and aligning them with real legal workflows, Hoowla helps firms stay prepared for the continued shift towards digital conveyancing.