A day in the life of a conveyancer
As part of #NatConveyWk2023, our Head of Property, Mark Laird, runs through what being a conveyancer means and what a day in the life looks like.
What is day-to-day life like as a conveyancer?
For a Conveyancer there is no typical day and life is never boring. At any one time we are expected to handle around sixty individual sale or purchase transactions at various stages of the conveyancing process. Whilst this may sound like a lot at Morrish Solicitors we limit the number of new matters our individual fee earners open to maintain a high level of client care.
What is important for keeping service standards high?
Good communication is key to maintaining a high standard of service. It is not unusual to receive more than one hundred emails each everyday. When the phone rings it must be answered. We must keep clients, other conveyancers and estate agents updated on the progress of individual matters. This is in addition to actually undertaking the legal work and administration involved in the transfer of home ownership. In a world of instant messaging and same day deliveries it is increasingly difficult to explain to clients why they will have to wait approximately three months to move into their new homes. However, wait they must. The legal processes in moving house have changed little in the decades since the introduction of registered land whilst the administrative burden on conveyancers has increased.
What are the most challenging aspects of being a conveyancer?
Conveyancers must now not only be experts in law but also in fire safety, solar panels, building control and many other issues. Conveyancers are tasked with policing source of funds and ensuring criminals are not allowed to use proceeds to crime to buy houses. In 2022 the number of conveyancing transactions remained approximately 35% above pre-pandemic levels. However, over the last decade the number of firms dealing with property transactions has fallen by around 10%. Simply put there is much more work to be done and less people to do it. Reviewing complex title deeds and results of searches is not a quick task and can take hours. It is rare for a conveyancer to find spare hours in the day when these documents can be reviewed without interruption. As a result many conveyancers work long hours starting before the office opens and leaving long after the office officially closes. It is little wonder that many firms are struggling to attract Gen Z into the profession leaving a shrinking number of conveyancers to look after clients moving home.
How important is our relationship with clients?
We must remember that we are here to support clients. We support clients through both some of the happiest and the most difficult experiences of their lives. It is often said moving house is one of the most stressful experiences you will endure. Many people move house not through choice but a as result of death, divorce, relocation, childbirth and marriage. As conveyancers we are privileged to share at least part of this journey with our clients. All of the hard work and stress involved in a conveyancing transaction fades away the moment you call a satisfied client and tell them they can now pick up the keys to their new property.
What does National Conveyancing Week mean to you?
As Head of Property I am delighted that my firm is taking part in National Conveyancing Week. I see day in and day out how hard my teams works to be here for clients and remove as much stress of possible for clients. I would like to put on record my thanks and gratitude for the effort made by my team every day.
Author: Mark Laird, Head of Property
