Homebuyers could face longer transaction timelines this year as the number of conveyancers continues to decline while housing activity picks up, new research suggests.
Analysis from Lyons Bowe indicates the number of conveyancers operating in the UK has fallen by almost 13% over the past five years, at a time when transaction volumes are rising.
Data from the IRN UK Residential Conveyancing Market Report puts the number of conveyancers at 5,904 in January 2026, down from 6,763 in 2021. Separate figures from HM Land Registry also show a drop in registered conveyancers in England and Wales over both the past year and three years.
At the same time, demand remains strong. Government data shows residential transactions increased by 10% between 2024 and 2025 to more than 1.2 million, following an 8.1% rise the previous year.
HOMEBUYING SLOWDOWN
The imbalance is placing growing pressure on legal professionals and risks slowing down the homebuying process, which typically takes around 12 weeks but is often longer in practice.
The findings come amid ongoing concerns across the sector about delays in the transaction process, with conveyancing capacity emerging as a key pinch point alongside planning and mortgage processing.
HEAVIER WORKLOADS
Paul Lyons (main picture, inset), Managing Director at Lyons Bowe Solicitors, says: “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.
“When conveyancers are managing larger caseloads, delays can easily build and the overall process slows further.”
TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION
But he adds: “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.”
