Dublin, Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "UK Residential Conveyancing Market Report 2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
The tenth annual edition of the report that provides a review of the market, looking at the market structure, key issues and new developments, market size and trends, the key players, future market developments, 4-year forecasts.
The UK residential conveyancing market
- The volume of residential transactions in the UK increased for the second year running in 2025 after declines in 2022 and 2023. Volume growth reached 10%. The sector was helped by four interest rate reductions in 2025 along with a cost-of-living improvement for some consumers.
- The residential conveyancing market registered market value growth of 7.0% in 2025 and, in 2026, it is forecast to grow by 6.1%.
Measures of law firms and solicitors working in conveyancing show a shrinking sector
- While the market has been growing recently, the number of law firms and conveyancers serving this market has been falling. There were an estimated 5,904 law firms in January 2026 active in residential conveyancing in the UK (combined Law Societies figures) but numbers have fallen year-on-year: in September 2021 numbers were closer to 7,000 (6,763).
- A picture of falling numbers in England and Wales also comes from HM Land Registry: In January 2026 there were 3,425 conveyancers registered decreasing from 3,539 a year earlier. Numbers have been falling steadily since 2022: there were over 4,000 at the end of 2022.
- Solicitor numbers working in residential conveyancing are also falling and, by January 2026, there were only 10,724 practising in this sector in England and Wales. Numbers have fallen by over 2,000 solicitors since the end of 2021. As numbers drop, the shortage of qualified conveyancers becomes a problem as demand starts to grow. The growing use of AI and other digital tools in residential conveyancing transactions is helping to counteract declining conveyancer numbers but there is still a skills shortage.
Consolidation is increasing albeit at a slow rate
- In 2025, the top 10 single conveyancer brands accounted for 10.3% of all transactions, an increase from 9.7% in 2024 but still a modest combined market share. Volume players are increasing their share of the market albeit only slowly. The market remains highly fragmented with a large population of smaller law firms, including many general practice firms, and conveyancers often focusing on local markets.
Key Topics Covered:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- Market size
- Market structure
- Market shares
- Market trends and forecasts
INTRODUCTION
- Two property transfer systems
MARKET STRUCTURE
- Conveyancing law firm and solicitor numbers continue to fall
MARKET DEVELOPMENTS AND DRIVERS
- Growth of 10% in residential property transactions completed in 2025
- England takes a dominant share of UK residential transactions
- Quarterly mortgage lending values increase to high level in Q3 2025
- Four decreases in bank rate in 2025
- Government proposals for reform of homebuying process
- Latest Land Registry strategy built on digital transformation
- Thematic review of referral fees paid by conveyancers
- New TA6 and TA7 property information forms introduced
- Conveyancing completion times increasing
- More digital uptake and process improvements could reduce completion times
- Finance Bill 2025-26 says conveyancers are tax advisers
- Launch of new Mortgage Lenders' Handbook delayed
THE KEY PLAYERS
- Leading players slowly increasing market share
- Selected acquisitions and mergers:
- PM Law Ltd closure
- Leading players - England and Wales
- Profiles of selected players
- Simplify Moving Ltd
- Taylor Rose Ltd
- Davisons Solicitors Ltd
- Setfords Law Ltd
- O'Neill Patient Solicitors LLP (ONP)
- Gorvins Residential LLP
- Property Legal Services (PLS)
- Talbots Law
- Watson Ramsbottom Ltd
- Conveyancing Direct Ltd
MARKET SIZE, TRENDS & FORECASTS
- The current market and beyond
- Increase in both transactions and market value in 2025
- Cautious optimism for residential conveyancing market in 2026
ASSOCIATIONS, REGULATORS & QUALITY SCHEMES
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/hy7014
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