Ambrose vs Quirk: Candid conveyancing

The latest Today's Conveyancer Podcast welcomes two of the property industry’s most outspoken voices: Peter Ambrose, Managing Director of The Partnership, and Russell Quirk, co‑founder and director of Proper PR. Both are known for their forthright views and are regular contributors to property discourse. Both have been on the podcast before and arrive ready to dissect the challenges facing home buying and selling in early 2026.In a lively and combative discussion they trade blows on conveyancing, estate agency, risk, reform and changing client expectations.Interestingly both conveyancing and estate agency share similar challenges; they both need to retain good staff, with the rise of the consultancy model quietly removing capacity from the system. They both need to deal better with pressure from clients, delays, and rising levels of frustration.How then to tackle the issue? Typically radical, Quirk suggests a model whereby estate agents take on more of the legal work, like  the Florida model where agents handle contracts and insurance replaces much of the legal process. Ambrose pushes back, pointing to the UK’s unique land ownership structure and the central role of mortgage lenders. Insurance, he says, can help, but it cannot replace due diligence.There is also a widening gap between perception and reality. Social media may be full of doom, he says, but the data shows a functioning market - albeit one split between a sluggish top end and a buoyant sub‑£1.5m segment. His criticism is sharp: too many agents overvalue, under‑deliver, and lack the skills older generations took for granted.What they do agree on is this: the system is slow, expectations are rising, and change is overdue. But whether that change comes from technology, insurance, regulation or cultural shift remains a live debate. An entertaining and hugely insightful episode from two of the property sector's most knowledgeable voices. The Today's Conveyancer podcast can be found on your preferred podcast provider and also at www.todaysconveyancer.co.uk. Subscribe and listen in for all the latest conveyancing industry news and views. Thank you to our podcast sponsors LEAP Legal Software and InfoTrack