Why Do Solicitors Take So Long UK

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in SEO for Solicitors. Find out why solicitors sometimes take so long to complete your legal matters.

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in SEO for solicitors, helping law firms attract clients and build trust through clear, informative online content. One of the most frequent frustrations for clients buying property, managing probate, or dealing with legal matters is the feeling that solicitors are taking too long. But while delays can be stressful, the legal process is often far more complex than it appears from the outside. Understanding why solicitors take time helps explain what’s really happening behind the scenes.

Legal Work Involves Multiple Third Parties

One of the main reasons solicitors seem slow is that much of their work depends on third parties. In conveyancing, for example, your solicitor relies on mortgage lenders, estate agents, local councils, surveyors, and other solicitors to complete their parts of the process.

If any of these third parties are delayed—such as waiting for search results, mortgage offers, or replies to enquiries—your solicitor cannot move forward. While it may look like inaction, they’re often waiting for critical information to arrive before progressing your case.

Complex Legal Checks Take Time

Solicitors are responsible for ensuring every legal detail is correct before proceeding with contracts, transfers, or court submissions. This means reviewing documents thoroughly, identifying potential risks, and resolving any issues that could cause problems later.

In conveyancing, this includes checking title deeds, investigating boundaries, verifying planning permissions, and ensuring there are no outstanding charges on the property. In wills or probate cases, it means verifying documents, calculating tax liabilities, and ensuring compliance with legal procedures.

Cutting corners would expose both you and the solicitor to future legal disputes, so thoroughness is essential—even if it slows things down.

High Workloads and Case Volumes

Many solicitors manage large caseloads, particularly in busy sectors like property or family law. Each case requires careful attention, but legal professionals must balance this with client communications, compliance obligations, and administrative work.

Seasonal surges can also affect timescales. For example, the housing market often becomes busier in spring and summer, leading to bottlenecks in searches, mortgage processing, and legal paperwork.

Even with the best systems in place, when several transactions are progressing at once, your solicitor must prioritise urgent matters and coordinate multiple moving parts.

The Importance of Accuracy and Compliance

Solicitors operate under strict professional and regulatory standards. Every document, statement, and calculation must be accurate and compliant with the law.

This attention to detail means that even minor inconsistencies can cause delays. For instance, a spelling error in a title deed or an incomplete ID check can pause progress until corrected.

Compliance also extends to anti-money laundering regulations. Solicitors must verify client identities, check the origin of funds, and conduct due diligence to prevent fraud. These checks are non-negotiable and can take extra time if documentation is missing or incomplete.

Delays Caused by Searches and Surveys

In property transactions, searches and surveys are often a key cause of delay. Local authority searches can take several weeks, particularly if the local council has a backlog. Environmental or drainage searches might also take longer if issues arise that need further investigation.

Your solicitor cannot proceed to exchange contracts until all results are received and reviewed. If any problems appear, they must raise enquiries with the other party’s solicitor and wait for responses, adding further time.

Mortgage and Lender Delays

If you’re buying with a mortgage, your solicitor must liaise with the lender to confirm your offer, satisfy conditions, and arrange the release of funds before completion.

Banks and building societies often have internal processing times that are beyond your solicitor’s control. If the lender requests additional documents or valuation reports, this can slow down the transaction.

Chain Dependencies in Property Transactions

When a sale or purchase is part of a property chain, every transaction depends on the one before it. Even if your solicitor has completed their work, they cannot proceed until other solicitors in the chain are ready to exchange.

A single delay elsewhere in the chain can hold up everyone involved. Solicitors must coordinate exchange dates across all parties, ensuring deposits and contracts are handled correctly to avoid legal risk.

Communication and Client Queries

Solicitors spend a significant amount of time communicating with clients, explaining processes, and answering questions. While essential, these conversations can also add to their workload.

Clients often request updates or additional clarifications, especially when transactions are lengthy. Solicitors aim to provide reassurance while balancing the practical work required to move the matter forward.

If communication feels slow, it’s often because the solicitor is waiting for tangible progress to report—such as search results, replies, or signed documents—rather than a lack of attention.

Unforeseen Complications

Legal cases rarely progress in a straight line. Unexpected issues can arise at any stage, requiring additional investigation or negotiation. Examples include:

• Disputes over property boundaries or ownership.

• Missing or incomplete documents.

• Errors in official records.

• Inheritance tax complications in probate cases.

• Disagreements over contract terms.

Each problem must be resolved carefully to avoid jeopardising the outcome. What might seem like a simple case can become complex once legal checks uncover hidden problems.

The Role of Technology and Digital Delays

Many firms now use digital tools to speed up client onboarding and document exchange, but even technology can introduce delays if systems crash or require verification.

E-signatures, ID verification apps, and online portals depend on accuracy and security. If a client enters incorrect information or fails to upload documents, the process stalls until corrections are made.

How Clients Can Help Speed Things Up

While some delays are unavoidable, there are ways clients can help their solicitors move faster:

1. Provide all requested documents quickly, including ID and proof of funds.

2. Respond promptly to emails or calls, especially when approvals or signatures are needed.

3. Avoid last-minute changes once contracts are drafted.

4. Stay patient—solicitors are often waiting for third parties rather than delaying themselves.

Good communication and cooperation can significantly reduce waiting times and prevent avoidable setbacks.

Why Patience Pays Off

Although waiting can be frustrating, the diligence of your solicitor ultimately protects you. Legal errors can be costly to fix later, and thorough checking ensures that contracts are fair, titles are clear, and risks are properly managed.

A careful, methodical solicitor is far better than one who rushes to meet unrealistic deadlines at the expense of quality. The time invested upfront saves potential legal disputes, financial losses, and future stress.

Final Thoughts

Solicitors take time because the legal process demands accuracy, compliance, and coordination with multiple third parties. Whether it’s a property purchase, will, or dispute, every detail must be right before proceeding.

Most delays are not caused by inaction but by the complex network of tasks, checks, and approvals required to complete a legal matter correctly.

At Lillian Purge, we help solicitors communicate this professionalism through effective content and SEO strategies that highlight their diligence and expertise.

If your firm wants to attract clients who value transparency and trust, get in touch today.

Further reading: will making solicitors and will my solicitor tell me when we exchange contracts. More answers on our Solicitors Hub.