A Day in the Life of a Conveyancing Solicitor.

Although the title is, “A Typical Day in the Life of a Conveyancing Solicitor” it is probably somewhat inaccurate as there is no typical day for a conveyancing solicitor. Perhaps that is why it is such a good job – no two days are the same and each day is scattered with different problems and issues that need addressing. One day you could be booked solid with appointments with clients, and another dealing with queries from solicitors working for the respective Vendor or Purchaser. The work will also vary depending on what stage of the conveyancing process the clients are at. However, after a long think and a look through my diary, here is a general overview of what a typical day might look like:

Morning

  • Arrive at the office and check emails and voicemail as well as get a coffee on the go, which is an absolute necessity!
  • Prioritise tasks for the day, looking at any urgent matters or deadlines.
  • Review contract and title deeds, raise enquiries, and report to clients on their contents (I tend to wait until everything has been provided before drafting a comprehensive report on title to the clients and providing them a copy of the most important documents. This is very time-consuming and takes a lot of time and focus. I would also leave any draft report a day or two before reviewing again and checking if anything needs to be changed before sending it. This was some advice that was given to me by a senior solicitor who said that you should never send a document of any importance straight away but leave it a day or so and reflect and re-read it to make sure it is correct. Time away from something that you have been focusing on for so long can help you spot any errors that you might not pick up on.
  • Draft and send legal documents, such as contracts and transfer deeds.
  • Liaise with other parties involved in the transaction, such as estate agents, other solicitors, and lenders.

Afternoon

  • Continue to review and draft documents.
  • Respond to emails and phone calls.
  • Chase up outstanding matters with other parties.
  • Update clients on the progress of their transaction.
  • Attend meetings with clients or other parties, if necessary.

Evening

  • Finish off any urgent tasks that need to be completed.
  • Review and prepare for the following day’s work by “rolling over” any tasks that I just was not able to get to.

I wish I could say that everything runs smoothly and there are never any issues, but that of course would be quite a lie! These are some of the things that I have noticed:-

  • Conveying can be a complex and time-consuming process, with many different parties involved. This can lead to delays and frustration for clients, not to mention the frustrations and disappointments you face as a solicitor.
  • Conveyancing solicitors must be able to understand and apply complex legal principles. This requires a high level of knowledge and expertise.
  • Conveyancing solicitors must be able to manage their time effectively and prioritise tasks. This is essential to ensure that deadlines are met and clients are kept informed of the progress of their transaction.
  • Conveyancing solicitors must be able to deal with difficult clients and other parties. This can require good communication and negotiation skills.

Despite the challenges, conveyancing is a rewarding career. Conveyancing solicitors play an important role in helping people buy and sell their homes, and they can make a real difference in their clients’ lives. Usually, the pros outweigh the cons in this profession and the thanks and gratitude of the people you help is genuine and definitely help you feel you have made a difference in the life of someone.

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