Blog
What Causes Conveyancing Delays—and How to Fix Them
By Rick Barry
23 Sep 2024 • 4 min read
Introduction
A property transaction should be smooth and predictable — but all too often, delays in the conveyancing process slow things down, frustrate clients, and put deals at risk. For law firms, managing these bottlenecks is essential to delivering better client experiences and reducing admin burden.
At Panaxea, we’ve supported hundreds of firms with conveyancing delivery — and here’s what we’ve learned about what causes delays, and how to prevent them.
Incomplete or Late Information from Clients
One of the most common issues is missing documentation. Whether it’s identification, property deeds, or mortgage details, delays often begin before the legal work even starts.
The Fix:
Automate your client onboarding with checklists and pre-completion forms. Use a secure portal or outsourced admin support to gather all documents early — so your legal team can work without waiting.
Title Check Complexities
Disputes over rights of way, missing easements, or unclear boundaries often surface late in the process — especially in leasehold or unregistered land cases.
The Fix:
Outsource your title checks to experienced conveyancing professionals. At Panaxea, our two-tier review process identifies issues early, allowing firms to raise enquiries quickly and avoid last-minute surprises.
Slow Response from Third Parties
Delays often stem from waiting on local authorities, lenders, or other law firms. This is especially truea during high-volume seasons, when response times spike.
The Fix:
Use tracking tools and automated follow-ups to chase progress. Having a dedicated outsourcing partner can also relieve pressure by handling communication and document preparation while you wait.
Post-Completion Backlogs
Even after exchange and completion, delays in submitting SDLT forms or AP1 filings can cause regulatory headaches and client dissatisfaction.
The Fix:
Consider outsourcing post-completion tasks to a legal delivery team trained in compliance and deadlines. At Panaxea, we handle SDLT and Land Registry filings with built-in accuracy checks and submission timelines.
Overloaded Legal Teams
When your internal team is stretched thin, even simple tasks can take longer than they should. Manual data entry, repetitive drafting, and unchecked documents cause bottlenecks that delay the entire file.
The Fix:
Delegate routine legal work — from contract drafting to search summaries — to a trusted legal outsourcing provider. This helps your team stay focused on high-value client interactions and complex legal advice.
Conclusion
Delays in conveyancing don’t just cost time — they cost trust. With the right systems, support, and strategy, most common bottlenecks can be eliminated. Whether it’s improving client intake, outsourcing title checks, or streamlining post-completion work, every step forward protects your firm’s reputation and keeps transactions moving.
Need Conveyancing Support That Keeps Files Moving?
Panaxea provides specialist conveyancing support for law firms across the UK — including title checks, SDLT preparation, AP1 filings, and post-completion processing.
