2024’s Big Moments in Conveyancing and Bold Predictions for 2025

As 2025 begins, the conveyancing industry in England and Wales reflects on a year of transformation and looks forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. The past year saw pivotal regulatory changes, economic pressures, and the increasing adoption of technology to streamline processes. Auxilio, a leading provider of legal outsourcing services, shares insights on the trends that shaped 2024 and offers predictions for what conveyancers can expect in 2025.

2024: A Year of Regulation and Reform

  1. Legislative Shifts Impacting Conveyancers

    • The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 brought substantial changes to leasehold laws, including cheaper lease extensions, extended lease terms of up to 990 years, and the abolition of marriage value. These reforms aimed to simplify processes for leaseholders and presented new opportunities for law firms to assist clients with transitions.

    • The Building Safety Act 2022 continued to affect high-rise residential properties, with full regulatory enforcement from April 2024. Compliance with enhanced safety standards became a priority, adding complexity to conveyancing for high-risk properties.

  2. Energy Performance and Sustainability Challenges

    • The pressure to meet EPC ratings deadlines dominated commercial property transactions. By 2028, all properties must meet EPC C, and by 2030, the threshold rises to EPC B. With 87% of office stock rated C or below, the cost of compliance is estimated at £93 billion. Conveyancers played a key role in helping clients navigate these requirements.

  3. Technology Adoption Gains Traction

    • The rise of digital conveyancing tools and automation solutions helped law firms tackle inefficiencies. From fraud prevention systems to automated document handling and outsourcing, technology proved essential for managing high caseloads and improving client experiences.

  4. Market Activity and Economic Pressures

    • The residential property market showed cautious recovery, with listing volumes up by 6% in Q3 2024 compared to Q3 2019, according to the Landmark Residential Property Trends Report (October 2024). Despite this, the report highlights that strong supply levels have not translated into completions, with completions down 42% compared to Q3 2019. Economic factors such as high interest rates and the cost of living crisis continued to dampen transaction volumes, as many buyers awaited financial stabilisation.

Looking Ahead to 2025: What’s Next for Conveyancers?

As we enter 2025, the conveyancing sector in England and Wales is poised to navigate a dynamic landscape shaped by economic factors, regulatory changes, and technological advancements. 

1. Economic Outlook and Housing Market Activity

  • Interest Rates and Mortgage Affordability: The Bank of England's recent monetary policy adjustments have led to a reduction in interest rates, with further cuts anticipated. This trend is expected to stabilise mortgage rates, potentially averaging just above 4% in 2025, thereby enhancing affordability for prospective buyers (The Times).

  • House Price Growth: Analysts predict an overall increase in house prices by approximately 4% in 2025, with regional variations. The northwest is expected to experience the strongest growth, while London may see more modest increases (The Times).

2. Regulatory Changes Impacting Conveyancers

  • Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) Adjustments: Effective from 1 April 2025, changes to SDLT thresholds are anticipated to influence market dynamics. A surge in transactions is expected as buyers aim to complete purchases before the deadline, potentially leading to short-term market volatility (The Times).

  • TA6 Property Information Form Updates: The Law Society has introduced the 5th edition of the TA6 property information form, enhancing the disclosure requirements for sellers. Following consultations, the implementation of this form has been extended beyond January 2025, allowing conveyancers additional time to adapt to the changes (The Law Society).

3. Law Firm Legal Outsourcing on the Rise

  • The demand for legal outsourcing services is expected to grow significantly in 2025 as law firms face increasing pressures to balance compliance, efficiency, and client service. Outsourcing admin-heavy and routine tasks—such as post-completion processes or freehold title check reports—allows firms to free up internal resources, improve efficiency, and focus on delivering high-value services to clients. (Auxilio).

4. Technological Integration and Innovation

  • Digital Conveyancing Initiatives: The UK government continues to invest in digitising the property market, aiming to streamline the homebuying process through the adoption of digital tools and automation. This initiative is supported by key industry stakeholders, including the Law Society and the Conveyancing Association (Gov.uk).

  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) Adoption: AI is increasingly being integrated into legal practices, transforming operations without diminishing the essential role of human expertise. A significant number of UK law firms have already adopted AI in various aspects of their practice, enhancing efficiency and service delivery (The Law Society).

5. Workforce Dynamics and Professional Development

  • Recruitment Challenges: The legal sector continues to face challenges in attracting and retaining qualified professionals. Factors such as economic pressures and shifting market demands contribute to this ongoing issue (The Law Society).

  • Flexible Working Arrangements: Law firms are increasingly adopting flexible working models to meet the evolving expectations of legal professionals, aiming to enhance job satisfaction and retention (The Law Society).

The conveyancing sector in 2025 is set to experience significant developments driven by economic trends, regulatory reforms, and technological advancements. Staying informed and adaptable will be crucial for professionals navigating this evolving landscape.

How Auxilio Supports Conveyancers

At Auxilio, we understand the challenges and opportunities the conveyancing industry faces as it evolves. Our award-winning legal outsourcing services help law firms tackle the increasing compliance burden while staying agile in a competitive market.

From Post Completion Tasks to Title Check Reports, our expert team provides scalable, tailored solutions that allow law firms to focus on delivering exceptional client service. As we move into 2025, Auxilio is committed to being your trusted partner in navigating the future of conveyancing.

Contact Auxilio for Tailored Support

To learn more about how Auxilio can support your firm in 2025 and beyond, get in touch with our team today.

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