Home run for conveyancingCynics or realists - depending on one's point of view - might say it is pointless to pursue traditional working practices in conveyancing.The glory days of a monopoly position for solicitors in the high street are long gone.

Competition from estate agencies and financial institutions, among others, triggered cut-price conveyancing.

What was once a hugely profitable area - providing half the profession's income in 1967 - now accounts for about 10%.But is it all over? Last week we reported on the decision by the law firm Marsons to pull out of bulk conveyancing, and instead rely on a network of high street law firms to handle referrals because they offer the local knowledge and connections that a bulk player cannot (see [2001] Gazette, 5 January, 1).

And this week we report Countrywide Property Lawyers' 3 million-plus investment in an attempt to double its market share with ...

bulk conveyancing (see page 4).In addition, the slowly increasing trend of solicitor property selling, government plans for a compulsory sellers' pack, the forthcoming National Land Information Service with property searches at the click of a mouse, and general moves towards electronic conveyancing will give solicitors the opportunity to position themselves at the forefront of a new home-buying process and culture.There may be life in the old practice area yet.