At Leading Property Lawyers (LPL), our commitment is simple: deliver consistently high‑quality conveyancing while safeguarding client money and ensuring our teams can focus on the legal expertise our clients rely on. As regulatory expectations around Source of Funds (SoF) and Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) intensify, we recognised that traditional manual processes, paper statements, incomplete information, and prolonged back‑and‑forth, were placing unnecessary pressure on clients and fee-earners alike.
To strengthen our client protections and support our lawyers’ ability to work efficiently and compliantly, we introduced a digital solution to support and streamline SoF checks at the earliest possible stage of a transaction.
As Louise Stephens‑Pantoja, Head of Operations, explains:
“We weren’t taking away any of the legal work, we were giving our lawyers more time to do it. The administrative legwork no longer sits with our highly skilled team, and that means a better experience for both our people and our clients.”
Why We Modernised Our SoF and AML Processes
Before adopting a digital system, our teams were facing:
- Excessive time spent reviewing paper statements
- Repeated client chasing for missing information
- Complex manual checks with inconsistent formats
- Delays in identifying risks early in a transaction
These processes remained essential for regulatory compliance, but they did not require the time and expertise of qualified fee‑earners. More importantly, relying on manual review created a risk that key indicators could be harder to detect promptly.
Our priority was clear: strengthen client protection, streamline processes, and free lawyers to focus on meaningful legal work.
Enhancing Client Safety by Addressing Source of Funds Earlier
Introducing Armalytix into our workflow has allowed us to move critical SoF checks to the very start of a transaction. This shift is significant and beneficial for all involved. Our teams and our clients:
- Client money is better protected, with potential risks identified at the outset
- Regulatory obligations are supported through more consistent and structured information
- Clients receive much clearer guidance, reducing anxiety around “why” information is needed
- Fee‑earners (our lawyers) have immediate access to structured financial data, helping them exercise judgement confidently
As Stephanie Maydew, Head of Quality and Development, notes:
“The reports are clearly structured and consistent. They make it easier to have the right conversations with clients, with full explanations built in.”
Supporting Lawyers by Removing the Administrative Burden
Our lawyers remain fully responsible for all legal judgement and regulatory decision‑making. What has changed is the amount of time they spend on administrative tasks that do not require their level of expertise.
By automating the collection and preliminary structuring of financial information:
- Fee‑earners can focus on the legal analysis they are trained for
- Onboarding becomes more efficient and consistent
- Routine client questions are handled directly by the support team
- High‑risk indicators, which are things such as overseas funds, cryptocurrency, and transactions over £1m, are highlighted for review, supporting early consideration by fee-earners
Louise summarises the impact:
“The introduction of the platform took away the admin burden and allowed our skilled team to utilise their skills. As a business, we gained real value by allowing our people to focus on what they do best.”
A Better Client Experience, With Greater Confidence in the Process
For clients, the process is now clearer, quicker, and more supportive. Many routine SoF queries are supported by the platform’s guidance and functionality, reducing stress and delay. Where clarification is required, fee-earners have access to consistent, well-explained reports, enabling constructive and confident conversations.
The result is a smoother journey at a part of the transaction that is often the most confusing for clients.
A Partnership With Armalytix That Continues to Strengthen Our Digital Ambition
Ongoing support and collaboration have been central to our experience. As our firm continues to invest in a modern, digital‑first approach to conveyancing, the Armalytix platform evolves with us; responding to feedback, refining processes, and ensuring that our clients and lawyers remain fully supported.
As Stephanie puts it:
“The team at Armalytix is so helpful. It feels like reaching out to a colleague – they’re always there when we need them.”
Our Commitment
At LPL, our investment in technology is driven by one principle: protecting clients while empowering our lawyers to deliver the highest standard of legal work.
By digitising and elevating our SoF and AML processes, we continue to build on our long-standing legal heritage while operating as a modern, national conveyancing practice dedicated to the safety, clarity, and experience of our clients.
Our helpful short video guides
Watch our conveyancing Video Guide: Understanding Source of Funds | LPL In this video, we explain the importance of providing proof of your source of funds during the conveyancing process. Visit our YouTube channel to explore many more helpful guides.
