Diary Of A Highstreet Conveyancer – Friday April 3

Friday

I had my last completion today – for the time being until restrictions on movement are lifted, or unless someone else selling an empty property has a buyer who is able to proceed.

I have a few clients who would like to move and were hoping to move before the Easter break but I do not want them to be in the position where they breach the Government restrictions. One is desperate to move and has his own van for moving his furniture and is moving to an empty property. I thought we could possibly do it as he is selling his house to an investor, but I called the buyer’s solicitor on Friday to see if we could try and do it, but I just got an out of office response (for the whole firm) and he has not replied to my emails.

This got me thinking about the impact on our colleagues’ lives. There are many very good conveyancers who have been furloughed. They have many years of experience and have spent those years just doing conveyancing. It must be hard to be told that you cannot work and just stay at home. I expect that some will take on volunteer work as it is hard to ignore the mental effects of being told you can no longer do a job that is in your blood.

And all conveyancers will know what I mean by that . We hold our clients’ hands for what is a stressful experience. So bear a thought for other conveyancers – those you have spoken to many times over the years and got to know. If they are still working, call them – just for a chat and to be supportive – it will help you as much as them.

For those who are partners in small high street firms, this is a really difficult time as we close our offices, have staff working remotely or have staff that we have to furlough. Partners feel a responsibility to their staff as well as their clients – make that call.

J B Priestley – we don’t live alone . We are members of one body. We are responsible for each other

This is written by a real high street conveyancer who wishes to remain anonymous.