Falling conveyancer numbers and rising transaction volumes are increasing pressure on the homebuying process, according to research from Lyons Bowe.
The law firm said the number of conveyancers operating across the UK has dropped in recent years, raising concerns that already lengthy property transactions could take even longer in 2026.
Lyons Bowe said analysis from the IRN UK Residential Conveyancing Market Report found there were 5,904 conveyancers in the UK in January 2026, down from 6,763 in 2021. That represents a fall of 12.7% over five years.
It added that Land Registry data showed the number of HMLR-registered conveyancers in England and Wales fell by 3.2% over the past year and by 10.8% over the past three years.
At the same time, Lyons Bowe said government figures showed residential transactions rose by 10% between 2024 and 2025, taking the annual total to more than 1.2 million. That followed an 8.1% increase between 2023 and 2024.
TIMELINE STRETCH
Paul Lyons, managing director at Lyons Bowe Solicitors, said: “With the number of conveyancers falling while transaction volumes continue to rise, legal professionals across the industry are inevitably facing heavier workloads.
“That has the potential to stretch the homebuying timeline which, in theory, should take around 12 weeks: circa 90 days.
“These demands are also in part the reason why the conveyancing industry is becoming a less attractive career option.
“Of course, anyone who has recently bought or sold a home knows that this timeline is often optimistic and the process can take considerably longer. When conveyancers are managing larger caseloads, delays can easily build and the overall process slows further.”
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
But he added: “Increased demand does not have to mean longer timelines. The key lies in how conveyancing work is structure and putting in place the correct technology. Delays often arise when firms operate under the traditional model where a single solicitor manages a case from start to finish.
“While this approach is familiar, it can be highly inefficient, as that solicitor is constantly switching between different stages of multiple transactions such as onboarding, searches, title checks, contracts, exchanges, completions and registrations.
“A more efficient approach is to structure the process.”
“A more efficient approach is to structure the process. Law firms could take the opportunity to evaluate how they structure their conveyancing departments, so the conveyancing process has a more modern and streamlined approach. This creates efficiency and improves customer service levels and ultimately reduces transaction times.
“While the industry may be heading towards heavier workloads, that should not come at the expense of homebuyers or associated businesses who deserve a process that allows them to move within a reasonable timeframe.”
Lyons said rising caseloads need not automatically lead to slower completions, but argued that firms may need to rethink how work is organised if they are to avoid further delays for buyers and sellers.
