Let conveyancers regain their humanity
As a solicitor with three years’ post-qualification experience in conveyancing, I have come to realise that the conveyancing field is more administrative in nature rather than an area of law. It has become increasingly difficult to focus on a complex caseload when basics require more attention.
I trace this problem to 2020. The role of HM Land Registry changed dramatically and younger lawyers became more demanding of a work-life balance, which they were not wrong to seek. It was my first hybrid working experience and proved to be positive in many aspects.
When secretaries and junior support staff experience burnout – and they often do – the responsibility shifts back to the solicitor. We are expected to pick up the pieces, maintain the momentum and sustain client care standards without pause. Taking a holiday starts to feel like a guilty luxury and stepping away from emails for even a few hours creates anxiety. Having a day off becomes risky – a risk that no solicitor can afford to take.
This relates to all fee-earners, whether office-based or remote. Even working remotely, the pressure never eased. In fact, juggling work-life balance itself challenged the mental health of many.
Remote conveyancing often means blurred boundaries, where personal time disappears into the same inbox as urgent completions, anti-money laundering checks and lender delays. From drafting legal documents to cross-checking accounts, from appeasing nervous clients to navigating regulatory scrutiny, we are expected to function as machines – fast, flawless and forever responsive.