I’ve been in the conveyancing industry for nearly twenty years. I got into it via a university law degree at Staffordshire University although it wasn’t a conventional route. At the time Staffordshire University were offering a two-year diploma in social work and law combined, so I enrolled on that. Once you’d completed the first two years you could complete a third year and convert it into either a law or social work degree. I chose law. As part of my course I did work experience with the Citizens Advice Bureau which, in many ways, is at the coal face of law in practice. There I was helping with employment and immigration issues that had a real impact on people’s lives.

I then went on to complete my legal practice course (LPC) at York College of Law. While I still didn’t have a specialism in mind, property was a compulsory module. But it was only once I had started working in a law firm with a view to gaining a training contract that I ended up focussing on conveyancing, I really enjoyed the work and consequently went and found out about the CLC qualification. I studied and qualified as a licensed conveyancer and just kept advancing up the ladder across different firms and different seniority levels. I am now managing director at Aconveyancing Limited which I founded in 2017. I knew that through my own company, I could offer a better service to clients and more importantly, a positive and supportive work environment for employees. Six years on and I am proud to say we have achieved that, as an Investors in People accredited workforce.

Like many people who work as conveyancers I find the process of facilitating property transactions to be incredibly rewarding. The parts of the role that I have always enjoyed include helping to negotiate and resolve disputes that arise, and ultimately, seeing the transaction come to a successful conclusion. I enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done and the knowledge that I have helped someone achieve their dream of owning a property.

Since 2017, the conveyancing industry has undergone several significant changes, particularly with the rise of technology and digitalisation. Streamlining processes, online platforms and case management systems have made it easier for conveyancers to manage their workload and communicate with clients, reducing the need for manual, time-consuming processes. Developments such as digital onboarding and ID checks have contributed to a more efficient and cost-effective conveyancing process for both clients and conveyancers.

The industry continues to evolve, and there are several key changes that need to occur in order to improve the overall process and make it more efficient for everyone involved. One area that needs improvement is the use of technology and the willingness for companies to integrate and allow open application programming interface or API. Another important change is the need for better communication between parties involved in the transaction, such as conveyancers and estate agents. I would like to see more law firm owners taking responsibility for the workloads of conveyancers with a view to prevent burnout and a shortage of skilled employees.

At Aconveyancing we have introduced a four-day working week to offer a better work / life balance to our staff and it’s been very successful. The office is open Monday-Friday 9-5pm, so for clients it’s business as usual. We work collaboratively and utilise a buddy system to cover workloads. Everyone is allocated a different day. We’re one of the first law firms to trial the four-day week. We’ve been doing it for the best part of about 12 months now and it just works for us.

A career in conveyancing can be very fulfilling. You need to have strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills, and an interest in the legal and financial aspects of property transactions. The process of conveyancing is the same across the country so it is always advisable to do your own research, focus on the type of company you would like to work for, the rewards, reviews and what the firm offers to support career progression.

If you're interested in a career in conveyancing it might be worthwhile exploring apprenticeships as these are becoming a popular way into the industry. One of the brilliant things about property law, is that it offers a route into the legal profession that doesn’t come with the hefty tuition fees of other courses. Apprenticeships allow for a more diverse workforce, with trainees from all backgrounds. I would say that the job can be quite fast paced, working well as part of a team under pressure is a really important quality. Conveyancing can involve negotiating and resolving disputes, so it's important to be prepared for a challenge and be able to think critically and creatively to find solutions. Connect with other professionals in the industry to expand your knowledge and build your professional network. Keep up to date with the latest developments and changes in the conveyancing industry, including the use of technology and digitalisation, to stay ahead of the curve and be more competitive in the job market. Make networking a key part of your professional development, as in the long-run, good contacts across the industry are invaluable. By following these pieces of advice, you can lay a solid foundation for a successful career in conveyancing and make a positive impact on the lives of your clients.