Research commissioned by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has found two thirds of those questioned “have felt unable to cope with workload at least sometimes,” with 17% saying they can’t cope “frequently”.
The Workplace and Diversity Survey 2025 was based on the responses of 733 CLC lawyers and managers, CLC-regulated practices and “others working in those practices”, the CLC said.
It found good levels of job satisfaction across the conveyancing and probate communities, with most of the CLC lawyers and managers (72%) and 80% of all other staff questioned saying they were satisfied with their job over the last 12 months.
But the researchers found that CLC lawyers were more likely to report workload pressures and lower satisfaction levels, which they said “likely reflects the operational demands associated with client-facing, fee-earning roles”.
According to the information released by the CLC, over half of the lawyers and managers who took part in the survey said they frequently work beyond their contracted hours, and almost two thirds said they have felt unable to cope with workload at least sometimes, although the exact numbers were not provided. A sixth of the respondents (17%) reported doing so frequently.
“Almost a quarter” of respondents questioned said they may consider changing roles, reducing working hours or moving organisations but remaining in the same sector in the next 12 months, the CLC said.
“Overall, the findings suggest that workplace cultures within the conveyancing and probate sector are generally positive and collaborative,” said Enventure Research, the company commissioned by the CLC to carry out the research.
“Most respondents report that they feel respected and valued at work and that colleagues work well together.”
The most commonly attributed aspects of a good workplace according to the respondents were a positive working environment, supportive employers, interesting and rewarding work, a good work-life balance and a good salary.
Just under half of the CLC lawyers and managers surveyed (exact figures were not provided) said commercial pressures affect the delivery of good customer service, but the vast majority (91%) said they rarely or never experience pressure to compromise professional or ethical standards.
However, diversity remains an issue in the profession. According to the CLC’s statement, three quarters of its lawyers and managers are women, but men remain more likely to occupy managerial roles, be in the highest salary bands and be more satisfied with their job and workplace.
People living with disabilities “also reported less positive workplace experiences”, the CLC said.
The research found that the profession is predominantly white, with 89% of practitioners. According to the CLC there is greater ethnic diversity amongst younger members.
Enventure said the inequality or discrimination that may exist for certain groups was not more prevalent in the CLC-regulated community than elsewhere in the legal profession.
It said its researchers found there were “isolated instances of ethical pressure” but they were not widespread or systemic, and experiences of non-inclusive behaviour were mostly from clients or members of the public, rather than internally from colleagues or managers.
“Most practices take a diverse approach to managing and monitoring employee workload,” Enventure said. “Primarily these are through regular one-to-one meetings with a manager and/or team meetings to redistribute tasks where needed.
“Just under half of practices also use capacity or resource planning tools, set caseload limits and monitor work hours and overtime.”
While lawyers and managers come from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds, those from professional or higher socio-economic backgrounds “appear somewhat more represented in senior roles”, the research found.
The CLC said two fifths of respondents care for children or dependents in some capacity and the research found flexible working to be widespread.
Almost all respondents (97%) said they would be willing to raise concerns to the CLC if they believed professional standards had been compromised, and over 90% were aware that CLC’s code of conduct applies to everyone working for a CLC-regulated practice.
Stephen Ward, CLC director of strategy and external relations, said the report “paints a detailed and positive picture of our profession”, and is “a vital resource for understanding what it is really like to work in the sector regulated by the CLC”.
He added: “We are committed to using these insights to shape the CLC’s future work with the profession, in which people feel valued, supported and are able to deliver high-quality legal services.
“The insight from this report also help us engage with the wider legal profession so we can jointly tackle issues around inequality that are a feature of working in the law.”
The CLC and Enventure Research will host a lunchtime webinar on 1 June to explain the survey findings, the key themes emerging from the data, and the next steps for organisations looking to turn insight into action. To attend, register here.
