Q. Why did you decide to join the committee and what was it that inspired you to support this initiative?
A. I decided to join the committee because I know how challenging this profession can be at times. Gaining a network of people to provide support during both challenging and not so challenging times has been invaluable to me. I have met some amazing people that have provided friendship and support both personally and professionally. When the opportunity came to support Women in Conveyancing, it felt like the perfect way to give back. What inspired me most was the idea of building a safe, supportive space where professionals could share experiences and encourage one another. I wanted to help ensure the next generation has the support and guidance that I sometimes had to search for.
Q. As a committee member, what do you hope to achieve in terms of shaping the future of women in conveyancing? What legacy would you like to leave behind?
A. My hope is to help create a profession that feels balanced, nurturing, and inclusive. I’d like to see young women, and all young professionals, feel confident that their voices matter and that they are valued. If I could leave behind any legacy, it would be one of kindness and support — that I played a part in opening doors and making people feel encouraged to step through them.
Q. What key challenges or gaps have you identified within the conveyancing industry and how do you think these can be addressed to create a more efficient and inclusive environment for all professionals?
A. One of the biggest challenges I see is the lack of consistent support structures. Conveyancers are left managing heavy caseloads with little recognition or backup, which can leave people feeling isolated. In addition, conveyancers can have line managers or leaders that have never worked in conveyancing or understand the day to day challenges. To address this, we need more collaboration between firms, greater industry awareness, and stronger peer-to-peer support networks. By fostering a culture of respect and encouragement, we can create a healthier, more inclusive environment for everyone.
Q. From your perspective, what areas within the broader conveyancing industry (beyond just gender issues) need significant improvement to ensure better service and smoother processes for clients and practitioners alike?
A. Communication stands out for me. Too often, delays or frustrations come down to misunderstandings between practitioners or unclear guidance for clients. We could make huge improvements by being more transparent, offering clearer communication, and streamlining processes. I also believe technology has a role to play here — but only if we adopt it thoughtfully, with proper training and support. Used well, it can free us up to focus more on client care, rather than adding extra pressure.
Q. What role do you believe mentorship and peer support play in the growth and success of women in conveyancing and how can these be further promoted within the industry?
A. Mentorship has such an important role to play. I have had so many positive mentors throughout my career and that encouragement enabled me to thrive. Peer support reassures us that we’re not alone in our challenges and gives us the confidence to push forward. To promote this more widely, I’d love to see structured mentorship schemes as well as informal opportunities for connection — networking groups, online forums, or even regular peer check-ins where people can share experiences and guidance.
Q. Stress levels in the conveyancing profession are often cited as high. In your opinion, what are some of the root causes of this stress and what practical steps can the industry take to create a healthier work environment for professionals?
A. Stress often comes from the sheer volume of work, the pressure of deadlines, and the unpredictability of transactions. On top of that, client expectations can sometimes be very demanding. To improve this, I think firms need to set more realistic caseloads, support their staff better, and encourage open conversations about wellbeing. It should be okay to speak up when you’re struggling. We have more and more administrative tasks which slow the process down. Having technology in place which supports those processes and ensuring the burden isn’t solely on the conveyancer will help foster a better working environment.
Q. How can collaboration between various industry stakeholders — law firms, government bodies, regulatory bodies and professional networks — be improved to foster a more unified and supportive environment for conveyancers?
A. Collaboration really starts with listening. It seems that in our profession we tend to work in silos, with each group focused only on its own pressures. If we can bring law firms, regulators, government, and networks together to share challenges and ideas, we’ll be much stronger. I’d love to see more cross-industry forums and joint initiatives that promote open dialogue and shared responsibility for improving the profession. There are lots of individual stakeholders all working on improving process, a lot of those stakeholders don’t actually have conveyancers working for them to help in that process.
Q. Looking ahead, what changes or innovations do you think will have the most positive impact on the future of conveyancing, particularly in relation to technology, workflow efficiency and client relationships?
A. I believe technology has the potential to transform conveyancing — but only if we use it wisely. The right tools can take away much of the repetitive admin that causes bottlenecks, while giving clients greater transparency. But at the same time, the human touch will always be vital. We are dealing with people and one of the most expensive purchases anyone makes. Often sales and purchases are made at emotional times and we need to appreciate the levels of stress clients are experiencing during those times. Clients need reassurance and guidance during those times and technology cannot replace the human touch – yet! I see the future as a balance: technology streamlining processes behind the scenes, while we as professionals focus on building strong, empathetic relationships with our clients.
Samantha Burrows- Chair of women in conveyancing
