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if there is plenty of work to go around why are firms paying referral fees often as much as 50% of their fee for the case?

Clients don't realise that when they allow an intermediary to chose their conveyancer for them and up to 50% of the solicitor's fee goes to the referrer, that has a direct impact on the quality of service they receive. The solicitor has to give larger case loads to the case handlers who are rarely qualified. They also make additional charges to ensure the work is profitable. They follow the rules and send out a menu of possible additional fees. They also disclose the referral fee but clients do not understand the significance of this.

Most clients are far better off instructing a local firm who quote for the work and rarely make additional charges over and above the quote. case loads are more realistic and clients receive a better service.

Abolish conveyancing referral fees and more people would be attracted to the work. Clients would know that their fees were paying for service and not just going to an intermediary