GOOGLE PROPERTY PORTAL ‘WON’T END NEED FOR A LAWYER’

Google is said to be in talks with estate agents to launch a UK property site.

However, Scottish solicitors and estate agents have insisted the internet search giant’s proposed move into the property market does not pose a threat to local property portals and is “unlikely to end the need for a lawyer”.

The ELPG group of five property solicitors said estate agencies in Scotland would be less worried about the arrival of the internet search giant than those south of the Border.

John Lints, senior partner at ELPG member firm, the Lints Partnership, said: “The market here in Scotland has always been significantly different from England. South of the border there is a far greater network of estate agency only businesses and they may be worried about a free Google portal.

“However, here the property market is dominated by legal firms which have also developed a very strong estate agency function. The important point is that the legal service remains at the very heart of the entire process.

“It is a compelling model which people trust."

He added: “Of course no-one in the sector can afford to be complacent, nor will we be. Our firms are constantly looking at ways to improve, to adapt according to market changes and customer needs.

“Technology is certainly a very big part of what is driving change, but it is unlikely Google will ever end the need for a lawyer in a Scottish house sale transaction.

“I think that if Google is going to make any significant impact on property markets, it is more likely to happen in places other than Scotland.”

The other ELPG members are Neilsons Solicitors and Estate Agents, Warners Solicitors and Estate Agents, Drummond Miller LLP and Leslie Deans & Co.

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