Podcast
Today's Conveyancer Podcast
Hosted by Today's Conveyancer · EN
The Today's Conveyancer Podcast introduces listeners to the wide array of individuals and organisations who contribute to the success of the conveyancing industry. With a mix of business and industry insight, innovation, and knowledge sharing, the podcast is a "must-listen" for property professionals.
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The "motherhood penalty" and the legal profession
3d ago00:27:37Tap to summarizeThe latest Today’s Conveyancer Podcast turns its attention to one of the profession’s most persistent, and least openly discussed, challenges: the impact of maternity leave on women’s careers in law. While the legal sector is not alone in perpetuating the motherhood penalty, the measurable career disadvantage experienced by women after having children, the podcast explores the unique pressure the legal sector presents around billable hours, PQE structures and the absence of traditional line management which compound the issue. Returning mothers must “claw back” work, visibility and confidence say Sara Lyons and Hannah Bradshaw, former employment lawyers and co‑founders of Blue Sky; both of whom have personally experienced the issue and who now coach hundreds of female lawyers going through similar experiences. Lyons and Bradshaw are clear; this is not a theoretical concept, nor a “woke invention”, but an economic and structural reality that continues to shape women’s progression in the legal sector. 78% of women on their programme report experiencing the motherhood penalty, while 77.8% worry about the impact of maternity leave on their long‑term career prospects. These figures, they argue, should be a wake‑up call for firms that still consider themselves “equal opportunities employers” while operating within systems that are anything but gender‑neutral.There is a cultural discomfort that surrounds maternity‑related discussions in law firms they say. Silence is damaging; women want clarity, support and honest dialogue about career progression, not well‑meaning but vague reassurances.“You can have it all... just not all at the same time" is the mantra firms and employees need to adopt. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software
Transcribe →Telling your compliance story; PII renewals and risk
2w ago00:30:14Tap to summarizeProfessional indemnity insurance is a fickle market. Conveyancing firms are once again navigating a market that remains challenging, nuanced, and increasingly shaped by risk culture rather than raw numbers.Renewal season is the backdrop to this latest Today's Conveyancer Podcast discussion with Miller Insurance account managers Marianne McWilliams and Phil Limb who lift the lid on what insurers are really looking for and why firms need to rethink how they present themselves.Appetite for conveyancing work has improved say McWilliams and Limb, but insurers are scrutinising firms more closely than ever, particularly around expertise, file supervision and risk management.Limb reiterates the point many insurers have made in recent years; dabbling is dangerous. Firms undertaking only a handful of transactions must demonstrate robust systems, specialist case management and clear referral points. “If you are doing a low amount of conveyancing, it’s about proving the expertise… and that you’ve got referral points at certain critical points” .Technology is now central to that story. Specialist case management systems, automated checkpoints and emerging AI tools can all strengthen a firm’s risk profile but only when used intelligently. McWilliams cautions that AI requires rigorous due diligence and human oversight: “if you ask the wrong prompt… you’re not going to get the right answer” .Insurers are also watching emerging risks closely, from crypto‑related funds to cyber incidents. The takeaway is clear: firms must articulate their risk culture, not just their compliance. Insurers want clarity, candour and evidence of control. Conveyancers who can demonstrate that story will be the ones securing the best outcomes when it comes round to renewal.The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software
Transcribe →Making legal technology work harder for law firms
3w ago00:31:52Tap to summarizeAre law firms making the most of their technology investment? Most businesses only use a fraction of the capability of their existing technology, underestimating what platforms such as Microsoft 365 or their case management systems can already do. As a result, firms often purchase overlapping software that performs similar functions, increasing cost and complexity without delivering real value.Its a pet subject for legal technology consultants Stephen Lucas and Mike Taylor who join Today's Conveyancer Podcast host David Opie for this latest episode exploring how law firms can improve efficiency, reduce duplication, and understand the “art of the possible” when it comes to legal tech, automation and AI.The first part of that process involves understanding what systems are in place, what the firm actually needs to achieve, and where simple changes or integrations can unlock efficiencies. Poor technology decisions are often made because firms do not clearly define their requirements before engaging with vendors. Sales processes can oversell functionality, leading to costly long-term contracts and difficult system migrations. In the age of artificial intelligence, both are advocates of robotic process automation (RPA) as a practical solution for interoperability and automation; helping where systems cannot easily integrate. RPA allows “robots” to replicate human actions, logging into portals, copying and pasting data, triggering workflows, at far greater speed and accuracy. Tasks that might take a member of staff ten minutes can often be completed in under a minute, without errors, and even run outside office hours. By eliminating repetitive administrative tasks, firms not only save money but also reduce risk, improve compliance, and free staff to focus on higher-value work. Importantly automation does not typically lead to resistance from employees. Instead, staff often welcome it, as it removes frustrating and monotonous tasks from their daily workload.When it comes to AI closed, UK-hosted AI environments, rather than the large language models like ChatGPT, CoPilot and Claude, that allow firms to benefit from document summarisation, case analysis and risk identification without exposing confidential information. And rather than trying to do everything all at once, a process-driven approach will yield better results; mapping the end-to-end legal workflow, identifying pain points, and introducing technology incrementally.Ultimately, say Lucas and Taylor, firms don't need to be spending thousands of pounds on new technology; rather they should be focusing on maximising the functionality of existing technology with simple interconnectivity solutions. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software
Transcribe →What is the impact of the Middle East conflict on the property market?
May 300:16:36Tap to summarizeIn a slightly shorter podcast host David Opie welcomes on usual guests Ben Robinson and Rob Gurney of Landmark to discuss their latest Property Trends Report for the first quarter of 2026. It's a mixed picture with plenty to be positive about... but how much of the last three months remains relevant against a backdrop of geo-political uncertainty? Particularly in the wake of the recent decision by the Bank of England to hold interest rates, and signal a return to interest rate rises in the event inflation remains well above its stated target of 2%. What does this mean for conveyancers and the wider property market? Listen in to find out... The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software
Transcribe →Tax adviser status; what do conveyancers need to know?
Apr 2400:35:42Tap to summarizeWhat do conveyancers need to know about the pending requirements for those "interacting" with HMRC to register as tax advisers. To take a deep dive into the issue the Today's Conveyancer Podcast welcomes Ian Quayle, CEO of IQ Legal Training, and Ryan Hannah, Managing Director of Compass. With the registration window opening imminently and clarity still frustratingly thin on the ground what do we know, and more importantly, what are we still waiting for. There is a risk, says Quayle, registering as a tax adviser risks creating a dangerous mismatch between what conveyancers are and what clients may now assume them to be. The potential for negligence claims, client confusion and professional overreach looms large.There is also an issue here around fairness; every taxpayer, says Hannah, deserves accurate, consistent application of the law, and the current system leaves too much to chance. He highlights the routine, everyday transactions - not necessarily the sprawling country piles - as the real breeding ground for costly mistakes.The podcast explores unanswered questions around registration, the spectre of fines and suspensions, the inadequacy of existing guidance, the implications of outsourcing, and the uncomfortable reality that conveyancers may soon be held to higher tax‑advice standards than ever before.Is that such a bad thing? Does forcing registration on the sector set out to improve standards in this constantly thorny issue? Discuss...The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software
Transcribe →50 not out - a life in property
Apr 100:40:53Tap to summarizeWith a 50 year career in property (he claims to have started when he was 3!) there is little Mike Day hasn't seen or heard. In this latest episode of the Today's Conveyancer Podcast, Day sits down with David Opie to discuss a career which has taken him to the very top of estate agency and conveyancing operations as board member at Connells and becoming heavily involved in building one of the UK’s earliest large‑scale, panel‑based conveyancing businesses.Day even remembers the days before the internet and mobile phones; but he says, the fundamentals of the home‑buying process remain much the same. Despite the technological evolution of both the estate agency and conveyancing sector, the persistent lack of integration continues to hamper progress; borne out in extended transaction timescales. All the talk of instructing solicitors at the point of listing is not new... Day gives a compelling example from Connells where they cut transaction times from 13 to 10 weeks by instructing their panel firms at listing; allowing the business to turn its pipeline faster and adding £8 million to the bottom line. The fact the industry is still debating early instruction 25 years later, he says, highlights how fragmented the sector remains. He fears unless the government mandates structural changes, such as upfront information or compulsory early instruction, progress will remain painfully slow.On referral fees you'd expect the estate agent in him to provide a robust defence, but with caveats. He argues referral fees can be justified when the agent genuinely adds value through marketing and onboarding work. The problem, he says, is that many agents simply pass over a phone number and expect to earn a fee. At the same time, excessive referral fees have squeezed conveyancers’ margins so tightly that service quality, investment in people, and technology have inevitably suffered. Transparency, he says, is essential, and the industry has not always delivered it.Training, standards, fees, technology, management and Rightmove are all on the agenda in this fascinating discussion with one of the property industry's most experienced, and colourful characters. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software
Transcribe →Excellent conveyancers lack time, tools and structure
Mar 2800:28:46Tap to summarizeThere are excellent conveyancers across England and Wales, but they lack time, tools, and structural support to deliver the service they want.That is the view of founder and CEO of Eden Conveyancing Bruce Griffin who joins host David Opie on the latest Today's Conveyancer Podcast. A residential and commercial property purchase fraught with delays, poor communication, and opaque processes drove Griffin to truly put his money where his mouth is, and launch Eden Conveyancing. Quite the plunge for someone who had spent 25 yeras in technology and property data. Coming from a data‑driven environment, he was struck by how inconsistent, even fundamentally flawed, property information is across the UK, from address identification to planning and energy data. Convinced he could create a positive experience around a life‑defining moment, he set about making the experience clearer, more transparent, and even enjoyable, especially for first‑time buyers; but acknowledges he was naïve coming into the sector. Collaboration, he says, is fundamental to efforts to improve the process"I thought very naively, we could come in, create a great experience, and nothing could touch that."Running a conveyancing business is a constant juggling act. Property lawyers handle numerous cases simultaneously, and even with automation, their mental bandwidth is stretched. The industry expects high output while suppressing fees, leading to burnout and an exodus of experienced lawyers. Firms that aggressively undercut pricing contribute to these pressures and degrade service quality. Without industry‑wide pricing reform and alignment, conveyancers will continue to leave faster than new recruits enter. At Eden, balancing caseloads has been an evolving process. An internal allocation algorithm considers lawyer experience, case complexity, and existing volume to distribute work appropriately. Crucially, lawyers can override this system by signalling when they are at or below capacity. Client satisfaction surveys then validate whether workloads are affecting service quality.Looking ahead, Bruce hopes the recent government consultation will drive digital standardisation, mandating common data formats, practices, and ultimately a fully digital conveyancing workflow. Incremental change, not a big‑bang overhaul, is key. He predicts more consolidation in the sector; firms unprepared for digitisation may exit the market. Eden, meanwhile, intends to scale, focusing especially on transforming the first‑time buyer experience and creating a rewarding working environment to attract and retain conveyancers. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software
Transcribe →National Conveyancing Month Special: The rigors of conveyancing
Mar 2100:29:49Tap to summarizeIn this special National Conveyancing Month edition of the Today’s Conveyancer Podcast, host David Opie welcomes Convey Law Managing Director Janine Wellington to discuss her views on talent, training, culture, and the systemic challenges facing modern conveyancing. In a career which has taken her from fee earner to senior leader, Wellington discusses the challenges the profession faces in attracting and retaining conveyancers; at a time when in their heart or hearts, most conveyancers would hesitate to recommend the career to their own children!Wellington shares how Convey Law have implemented structured training, progression pathways, and pastoral support, including; a multi‑stage “Convey Law Pathway” combining practical training, academic modules; a strong emphasis on developing resilience, tenacity, and confidence; clear progression ladder; and a culture that encourages juniors to ask questions, set boundaries, and develop people‑skills essential for client care.She acknowledges she benefits from the time, money, and technology investment the firm can make by virtue of its size but with many firms still reliant on outdated systems or a lack of dedicated training structures, career development harder to achieve.The prevalence of hybrid working brings additional obstacles as the traditional model of “learning by osmosis”, sitting beside experienced colleagues, listening to calls, and gaining confidence through constant informal interaction, is diminished. Culture, regulation, AML and due diligence, tax advisers status, digitisation are all topics the podcast as the discussion meanders around the rigors of coalface conveyancing. Despite everything though, Wellington is optimistic. She believes the profession can return to being a rewarding, respected career. Better fees, better recognition, and clearer guidance are essential. Above all, she insists, people will always need to buy and sell homes; the industry has no choice but to evolve.The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software
Transcribe →Understanding complaints and early resolution opportunities
Mar 1400:31:59Tap to summarizeThe latest episode of the Today’s Conveyancer podcast welcomes Senior Ombudsman at the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) Clair Daniel to explore the current landscape of legal complaints handling, the challenges facing firms, and the strategic work underway to improve first‑tier resolution across the legal sector.The backdrop to the discussion is the increase in the number of cases in which LeO identify poor complaints handling, up from 46% in 2023/24 to 49% in 2024/25; and efforts to stop complaints at source by equipping firms to better deal with issues before they become complaints.Daniel says demand for LeO’s services has risen sharply, across all areas of law, with several likely drivers: rising customer expectations shaped by instantaneous digital communication, cost‑of‑living pressures increasing the inclination to complain, and sheer volume of transactions. Communication and delay remain the two most common causes of complaint—together accounting for around 47% of complaints. Often, complaints arise from mismanaged expectations, such as unclear service‑level agreements or clients misunderstanding the steps and timeframes in transactions.There is the increasing role AI plays in complaints to consider. LeO is increasingly seeing (as are firms) consumers rely on tools such as ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot to produce lengthy, formalised, and at times overly legalistic complaints, complete with copied‑and‑pasted case law. While understandable, this can hinder early, informal resolution. She encourages firms to avoid mirroring an escalated tone, instead refocusing on the core issue and maintaining a professional, calm approach.Keen to dispel misconceptions about LeO Daniel reiterates the ombudsman is strictly impartial and supports firms as much as consumers, including dismissing complaints where service has clearly been reasonable. To help firms get matters right at first tier, LeO provides resources such as the technical advice desk, sector insights, and forthcoming Model Complaints Resolution Procedure, complete with templates and toolkits. A new learning platform with training and webinars is scheduled for 2026.Listen in to hear more about LeO's attitude to setting and managing client expectations early, strategies to handle AI‑generated complaints effectively, and internal communication and processes that reduce escalation risk and improve client trust.The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software
Transcribe →Ambrose vs Quirk: Candid conveyancing
Mar 700:39:19Tap to summarizeThe latest Today's Conveyancer Podcast welcomes two of the property industry’s most outspoken voices: Peter Ambrose, Managing Director of The Partnership, and Russell Quirk, co‑founder and director of Proper PR. Both are known for their forthright views and are regular contributors to property discourse. Both have been on the podcast before and arrive ready to dissect the challenges facing home buying and selling in early 2026.In a lively and combative discussion they trade blows on conveyancing, estate agency, risk, reform and changing client expectations.Interestingly both conveyancing and estate agency share similar challenges; they both need to retain good staff, with the rise of the consultancy model quietly removing capacity from the system. They both need to deal better with pressure from clients, delays, and rising levels of frustration.How then to tackle the issue? Typically radical, Quirk suggests a model whereby estate agents take on more of the legal work, like the Florida model where agents handle contracts and insurance replaces much of the legal process. Ambrose pushes back, pointing to the UK’s unique land ownership structure and the central role of mortgage lenders. Insurance, he says, can help, but it cannot replace due diligence.There is also a widening gap between perception and reality. Social media may be full of doom, he says, but the data shows a functioning market - albeit one split between a sluggish top end and a buoyant sub‑£1.5m segment. His criticism is sharp: too many agents overvalue, under‑deliver, and lack the skills older generations took for granted.What they do agree on is this: the system is slow, expectations are rising, and change is overdue. But whether that change comes from technology, insurance, regulation or cultural shift remains a live debate. An entertaining and hugely insightful episode from two of the property sector's most knowledgeable voices. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software
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