When a property transaction reaches the final stages, solicitors must carry out a series of closing searches. These searches are not a formality, they are a vital safeguard against hidden risks that may have arisen since the contract was signed.
For purchasers and lenders, closing searches provide reassurance that the property title is free from undisclosed liabilities and that funds can be released with confidence.
In this guide, we’ll explain what closing searches are, why they matter, the types of searches involved, how long they typically take, and best practice tips for solicitors managing completion.
Why Closing Searches Matter
Closing searches are the final safeguard in the conveyancing process, providing reassurance that nothing has changed since contracts were signed.
While initial searches are carried out at contract stage, circumstances can change quickly in the period before completion:
- – A vendor may become bankrupt.
- – A new judgment or lis pendens may be registered.
- – A sheriff or Revenue Sheriff may move to enforce against the vendor’s assets.
If these issues are not identified, the purchaser could inherit significant liabilities, or the lender’s security could be compromised.
Nowadays, law searching platforms like Legal Search Box by Corporate Access have developed systems where closing searches automatically update on completion day. This reduces the need to manually re-run searches, minimises human error, and ensures solicitors receive the most current results when releasing funds.
In practice, closing searches give both solicitors and clients confidence that the title being transferred is still “clean” at the precise moment of closing.
What Do Closing Searches Cover?
Closing searches in Ireland are not a single report but a bundle of targeted checks designed to protect purchasers and lenders at the moment of completion. The precise combination of searches often depends on the transaction, but the following searches are typically included:
- – Judgment Searches – High Court and Circuit Court records are checked for registered judgments that could attach to the property or vendor. These ensure that no new judgment mortgages have arisen since the initial contract searches.
- – Bankruptcy & Insolvency Searches – confirm that the vendor (or borrower) is not bankrupt, subject to a personal insolvency arrangement, or facing corporate liquidation or examinership. This protects both parties from a transaction being voided or challenged.
- – Lis Pendens Searches – identify any pending litigation relating to the property, which could restrict transfer of title or complicate enforcement of a lender’s security.
- – Sheriff & Revenue Sheriff Searches – reveal whether enforcement proceedings or warrants have been issued against the vendor. This is essential where unpaid debts, fines, or taxes could result in seizure of assets.
- – Company Searches (where the vendor is a company) – verify the company’s legal standing at the CRO, confirming that it remains registered, solvent, and authorised to dispose of the property.
- – Probate Office Searches (for estate sales) – confirm the validity of the grant of representation and ensure that no conflicting or superseding grants have been issued.
By combining these final conveyancing checks, solicitors can give assurance that no fresh encumbrances or risks have arisen since earlier searches. Modern platforms also ensure that these results are automatically updated on the closing day, reducing manual effort and providing confidence that the transaction is proceeding on a clean title.
Best Practice for Solicitors
Closing searches are time-sensitive and errors can create serious delays at completion. To avoid last-minute issues, solicitors should follow best practice:
- – Order early on completion day – searches must be as up to date as possible. With Legal Search Box, you can schedule searches to refresh automatically on the day of closing, so results are always current without manual intervention.
- – Use a trusted search provider – accuracy is critical. Corporate Access has decades of experience in Irish law searches, with Legal Search Box ensuring every result is delivered reliably and securely.
- – Cross-check bundles vs individual searches – different transactions require different approaches. LSB’s instant fee tally and centralised dashboard make it easy to see exactly what has been ordered, avoiding duplication or gaps in coverage.
- – Maintain a closing checklist – clear processes reduce the risk of oversight. LSB acts as a digital checklist by consolidating all client searches in one place, so your team can monitor progress at a glance. –
- – Brief the client or lender clearly – communication is smoother when you have reliable timelines. With LSB’s transparent turnaround times and automatic monitoring, you can update clients confidently, knowing your information is accurate.
How Long Do Closing Searches Take?
One of the most common questions solicitors ask us at Corporate Access is: “How quickly will my closing searches be returned?” In conveyancing, timing is critical – funds cannot be released until all checks are confirmed, and delays can frustrate both clients and lenders.
Manual Searches: Delays and Risks
Traditional manual searches can take anywhere from 1–5 working days, depending on the type of search, the registry involved, and whether archived records are needed. Planning searches, for example, usually take 3–5 business days, while Registry of Deeds searches for older deeds are rarely returned the same day.
The drawbacks are clear:
- – Delays and backlogs in public offices.
- – Unpredictable turnaround – different counties and registries vary.
- – Risk of outdated results by the time of closing.
- – More admin chasing and coordinating results.
Faster, Smarter Turnaround with Legal Search Box
At Corporate Access, we’ve redefined the process with Legal Search Box (LSB) – our automated platform designed specifically for Irish conveyancing professionals. With LSB, your searches are:
- – Instant or Scheduled Searches – PRA folio searches are returned instantly, with the option to schedule automatic updates on the day of closing.
- – All in One Place Dashboard – Manage every client’s searches from a single, easy-to-use portal.
- – Team-Friendly – Multi-user accounts let your entire team access and track results collaboratively.
- – Automatic Monitoring – Get real-time updates if something changes between ordering and closing.
- – Transparent Costs – The instant fee tally shows your running costs in real time – no surprises.
With Legal Search Box, there’s no chasing or guesswork, you’ll always know when to expect results. Better still, searches are automatically refreshed on the day of closing, so you have complete confidence that your results are up to date when releasing funds.
Closing Searches Made Simple
Closing searches are a cornerstone of Irish conveyancing practice, protecting purchasers, lenders, and solicitors from unforeseen risks at the final stage of a property transaction.
While most searches can be returned quickly, often within the same day – their real value lies in preventing costly oversights. With Legal Search Box by Corporate Access, solicitors gain a faster, more reliable way to manage closing searches: instant results, automatic updates on the day of completion, and complete visibility over costs and progress.
Order your closing searches today with Corporate Access and complete with confidence.
FAQs About Closing Searches
Are closing searches always required?
Yes – particularly where a lender is involved. Even in cash purchases, they provide essential risk protection from a legal perspective.
Can closing searches be done in advance?
They should be carried out on or immediately before the day of completion to ensure results are current. However, Legal Search Box allows you to place the order in advance of closing day – it will automatically update following any changes.
What happens if a judgment or lis pendens is discovered?
Completion may need to be delayed until the issue is resolved, or alternative undertakings/arrangements are agreed.
How much do closing searches cost?
Costs vary depending on the number and type of searches required, but are modest compared to the potential risk of proceeding without them.