Which ONE of the following statements regarding the Law Society Conveyancing Protocol is correct?

• A. If the lawyer acting for one party does not adopt it this does not prevent the other party's lawyer from adopting.
• B. Adoption by one party automatically binds the other party.
• C. The Protocol cannot be used in residential conveyancing.
• D. Both lawyers must adopt the Protocol for it to apply.

Answer: (A)

The Law Society Conveyancing Protocol is a voluntary framework that a solicitor can adopt on behalf of their client to use its standard communications and timing for conveyancing. If one party’s solicitor adopts the Protocol, they commit to following its procedures, but this does not impose those obligations on the other party or bind them automatically. The other party can continue to respond in their own terms, or choose to adopt the Protocol themselves, without it requiring both sides to do so. It can be used in residential conveyancing as well as other types, and its application isn’t contingent on both lawyers signing up. So, unilateral adoption by a solicitor is enough for the Protocol to operate for that party, which is why that statement is correct.