Conveyancer numbers fall as exchange times reach 123 days, data reveals
The number of conveyancers working on UK cases dropped by 15.67% since 2021, according to analysis from Access Legal.
The number of solicitors working in residential conveyancing dropped as property transactions took longer to reach exchange, analysis from Access Legal found.
The number of conveyancers working on UK cases dropped by 15.67% since 2021, resulting in property transaction completion times rising to an average of 123 days.
There were 10,724 residential conveyancing solicitors in England and Wales in January 2026, according to the IRN UK Residential Conveyancing Market Report 2026.
This was more than 2,000 fewer than at the end of 2021.
Separate data from TwentyCi showed that the average time to exchange reached about 123 days in 2025.
Access Legal’s State of the UK Conveyancing Market report stated that anti-money laundering rules, new TA6 and TA7 property forms and revised money laundering regulations increased administrative workloads.
It said firms need to process more cases per fee earner through technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and changes to working practices.
Andrew Stevens, general manager at Access Legal, said: “Technology is the natural answer to growing capacity without growing headcount.
“Digitising traditional workflows empowers conveyancers to confidently navigate market changes and strengthen resilience without placing extra pressure on teams.
“Because law firms can’t simply ask conveyancers to work longer hours to solve the deficit challenge, technology has become the primary answer to both modernise and streamline services.”
Stevens added: “While the likes of technology and AI cannot replace empathy or judgement, they can help in alleviating stress and ultimately contribute to preventing burnout, allowing solicitors that time back to build those relationships with clients and to continue carrying out their work.”
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