Rising Above the Crisis: Kaur Sutherland Sets a New Standard for Modern Conveyancing Services

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MacRae and Kaur LLP are now trading as Kaur Sutherland. All emails, phone numbers and bank details will remain unaffected although please call the office to confirm Bank details - we do not send these to you by email. If you wish discuss these changes please contact us on 0141 611 6000

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Rising Above the Crisis: Kaur Sutherland Sets a New Standard for Modern Conveyancing Services

The conveyancing sector in Scotland and across the UK is facing unprecedented challenges.

Following a turbulent couple of years marked by falling transaction volumes, rising interest rates and an increasingly complex regulatory environment, the industry is at a critical juncture.

Conveyancing transactions have been on a steady decline since Covid-19. Economic pressures, including high inflation and interest rates contributed to the slowdown, as did falling house prices. 2023 saw a 21% decrease in transaction volumes compared to the previous year.¹

In the past year, thousands of conveyancers and conveyancing solicitors have left the profession entirely, citing burnout, stress and overwhelming workloads. This environment has led to a worrying drop in the number of active conveyancing firms, particularly impacting midsized practices.

Over the past two years, the number of residential law firms in the UK no longer offering conveyancing services has decreased by 455.² With rising workloads and limited resources, many more conveyancers are likely to exit the profession, and an additional wave of conveyancing firm closures is expected in 2025.

Despite these challenges, client expectations are higher than ever. Complaints to the Legal Ombudsman have risen, mainly due to communication issues and delays. Research indicates that home buyers seek quicker processes, better communication, and more digital services, reflecting a growing need for modernisation and transparency in the sector and its processes.

Amid these industry-wide challenges, we at Kaur Sutherland have implemented strategic measures to ensure long-term stability while enhancing service quality and supporting our dedicated team.

Following a merger with O’Hare Solicitors in Dumbarton, we have focused on creating a comprehensive legal and property hub. This integrated approach combines conveyancing, estate management, and estate agency services under one roof, offering clients a streamlined and cohesive experience.

Despite rumours of retirement in the air, Gerry O’Hare, Partner at Kaur Sutherland, is confirming he is far from stepping back. Gerry, who has operated from Station Road since founding O’Hare Solicitors in 2009, remains committed to maintaining this location as a vital community resource. With over 40 years in legal practice, he now focuses on a five-year plan to build a unified service hub, combining conveyancing, estate management, and estate agency expertise.

Our Dumbarton office now collaborates closely with Haxton Property Estate Agency, while the Lenzie office partners with Coda Estates. This innovative structure not only enhances service delivery but also ensures that clients receive comprehensive support tailored to their needs from start to finish.

Jus Chall, Operations Director at Kaur Sutherland, highlighted our forward-thinking approach: “We’ve developed a strong, complementary team across our offices. Gerry’s extensive experience in estate law, combined with our conveyancing expertise, allows us to offer an elevated level of support. The growth of our Dumbarton team means we’re well-equipped to meet the evolving demands of today’s property market.”

By prioritising collaboration, modernised services, and client-focused solutions, Kaur Sutherland is setting a new standard in conveyancing; demonstrating that even in challenging times, innovation and commitment can drive success.

To see how our innovative approach can simplify your property journey, get in touch today for a personalised conveyancing quote, and discover how we can help bring your property dreams to life.

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Sources:

The Access Group. (2024). “The state of the UK Conveyancing Market”. September 2024 ed. [online]. Available: https://pages.theaccessgroup.com/LGL-landscape-insight-report-2024_Report-PDF.html. Page 9. Last Accessed: 29/11/24.

Legal Futures, Neil Rose. (Nov 2023). “Number of conveyancing solicitors slumps as market contracts.” [online] Available: https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/number-of-conveyancing-solicitors-slumps-as-market-contracts.Last Accessed: 29/11/24.

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Speak to our Residential conveyancing team

Call us today on 0141 611 6000

Our Residential Property Services include:-

• Purchase and sale of houses, plots or land;
• Builder’s or Developer’s Missives;
• Re-mortgages;
• Discharge of secured loans on repayment;
• Creation of new securities/mortgage deeds;
• Leases on domestic property;
• Transfers of Property;
• Arranging Surveys;
• Local Authority house purchases;
• Ownership Enquiries; and
• Queries regarding title conditions.

We can provide a fixed quotation for residential legal fees so that you do not have to worry about unexpected costs. Regardless of your property question our friendly team will be happy to talk through the situation and let you know of how we can progress.

Remember: There’s a difference between cheap conveyancing solicitors and good value conveyancing solicitors.

Some firms delegate property work to inexperienced and junior staff – sometimes to people who aren’t even qualified solicitors. Other solicitors can turn out to be based hundreds of miles away from you and it can be impossible to contact them at all, let alone meet them face to face.

Macrae & Kaur are unique amongst Glasgow solicitors in that all of our property work is carried out by senior partners, highly-experienced property solicitors who really know Glasgow and are always available to meet you in person.

Conveyancing fees

Our conveyancing fees are competitively priced, your first consultation together with submitting offers and noting interest is free. We promise total fee transparency – all costs will be laid out clearly before you make a commitment and we do not start charging extras once you have signed up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to pay Additional Dwelling Supplement?

If you have not sold your main residence on the day you complete your new purchase you'll have to pay ADS. This is because you own 2 properties. You can apply for a refund if you sell your previous main home within 18 months.

How long does the Conveyancing process take?

The conveyancing process usually takes between 6 and 12 weeks but will vary. Depending on your situation, your case can take much longer than 6-12 weeks. Conveyancing can take a long time for many reasons. Each step of the process must be completed correctly to avoid even further delay.

Do I have to pay anything upfront?

Our firm does not charge any upfront fees for our service. The 'no completion, no fee' means you only need to pay us on the completion date.

Can I Buy and Sell at the same time?

In an ideal world, you’d sell your home the minute you put it on the market and then have all the time you need to find your next dream home while your buyers wait patiently until you’re ready to move. Unfortunately, we don’t live in an ideal world and in most cases you’ll need to sell and buy at the same time. This results in a housing chain. While not uncommon, property chains can cause significant headaches. So if you’re planning to buy and sell your house at the same time, make sure you’re prepared. We can help keep everything runs smoothly and according to plan.

How much Land and Building Transaction Tax will I need to pay?

The residential LBTT rates are based on the purchase price bands, with a ceiling for nil rates set at £145,000 A relief for first-time buyers is available, which increases the residential nil rate band of LBTT to £175,000.The availability of the relief will result in a reduction in tax of up to £600 for qualifying first-time buyers, relative to the rates which would have otherwise applied.

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