For the first time in the world, people and technology are disrupting a vast area of legal practice that has not changed since its modern origins to the mid-1800s: conveyancing.
Conveyancing deals with property title transfers between a seller and a buyer. It involves a tonne of paperwork navigating different contract types, covenants and mortgages and flagging risks. On average, UK property conveyancing takes about 16 weeks to complete!
Founded in 2016, Muve Conveyancers deploys digital technology and innovative processes for a unique delivery model, radically shifting away from the traditional conveyancing model with its complex, time-consuming, anxiety-inducing processes. In 2017, Muve set up a services centre in Colombo with four LLB graduates and attorneys. Five years on, Muve employs over 200 legal professionals in Sri Lanka.
Emma Bough, Director of Legal Services, Mithrika Ekanayake, Deputy General Manager – Legal Services, and Nimanthi Madhavi, Manager of Legal Support Services, weigh in on how women provide the impetus to Muve’s digital revolution.
Can you tell us how women are making an extraordinary contribution to Muve’s successes?
Starting from a converted office with four conveyancers in Colombo, we carried out more than the traditional LPO functions, ensuring our employees felt confident and equipped to liaise directly with our UK clients. We quickly recognised the ambition of young professionals in Sri Lanka, particularly among women who needed an alternative to a traditional legal career.
By honing that desire and talent, we have been able to grow a dedicated workforce who are motivated by new challenges. It was an entirely new career path, and it is not surprising that women braved the plunge into the unknown, driven by a passion for success in whatever they set their minds on achieving.
Women bring a very focused approach to solving problems, are empathetic to client needs and let nothing stand between their goals, qualities that endear to Muve’s vision to disrupt a legacy industry with digital technology and unconventional, out of the box thinking. They are also why women continue to be impactful and spearhead growth at Muve. Also, their natural ability to multitask means they are constantly pushing the boundaries of their comfort zones, so integral to a culture of innovation.
How is Muve leading efforts to increase employment and leadership opportunities for women?
We are very proud of the number of female managers in our business which is a testament to our approach. Muve has consciously cultivated an equal opportunity environment with zero tolerance for discrimination and prejudice. That has been paramount to its success.
We have created a place for women in the industry where it is possible to prioritise roles without diminishing our ability to perform others. It is not enough to encourage women to push themselves or step up to the plate, so we constantly ask how we can do things differently.
There are many ways to do this. One way is to identify and nurture talent rather than recognise those who have the biggest presence. Another way is to discourage presenteeism. That means we recognise the quality of work done during contractual hours and do not simply reward those who work beyond that. In doing that, we are levelling the field for women who are more likely to have other responsibilities outside of work, like taking care of the home or raising kids.
We have flexible working conditions and work from home to empower women to achieve a quality work-life balance other legal career paths in this country cannot provide. Our female colleagues have time to spend with their loved ones, build a young family, engage in higher studies and professional development or pursue their passions.
Importantly, Muve is opening doors to more women who otherwise may find it excruciatingly hard to build a career in a male-dominated legal profession, where unpredictable and unreasonable hours are the norm.
As an equal opportunity employer, females and males enjoy the same opportunities to excel and exceed their personal goals, and Muve also pays significantly higher than market salaries to all our employees to reflect the high expectations and standards that each of us hold ourselves to.
Emma Bough
Director of Legal
Services, Muve
Why is inclusion important to Muve Conveyancers, and how has that benefitted the firm?
At Muve, understanding and appreciating diversity are central in our dealings with clients and employees. There is no one-size-fits all solution for our clients, and it also applies to how we deliver our work.
It is not about getting women to work in the same way as their male counterparts but understanding the inherently unique ways women work and incorporating those into our processes.
Women bring a different yet rich perspective to what was once a male-dominated industry; that has only benefited Muve by inviting innovation, challenge and new strategies. Further, by allowing women flexibility to work in ways that best suit their needs and strengths, Muve is shaking the foundations on which typical legal firms operate. So it is not just digital technology, but women are enabling Muve to transform a legacy industry in the UK and Sri Lanka and make an indelible mark.
When we started operations in 2017, Muve Colombo consisted of just the legal support division comprising four people. Today, we have eight allied divisions in conveyancing employing 250 people, and half of them are women. By 2025, we aim to become one of the top five conveyancers in the UK, and it will be women who will give that impetus.