Can a buyer and seller use the same solicitor?

Often they can, but not in every case. A buyer and seller can use the same conveyancing firm if there is no conflict of interest and regulatory criteria are satisfied. Typically, separate conveyancers within the same firm will handle each side to help manage any potential conflict.

What do I do if I can’t use the same solicitor as my buyer or seller?

If you cannot use the same solicitor as your buyer or seller, each party will need to appoint their own conveyancer to handle their side of the transaction. This ensures that each party receives independent legal advice and that any conflicts of interest are avoided.

Can you use the same solicitor for conveyancing?

Yes, buyer and seller can sometimes use the same solicitor or conveyancing firm, provided there is no conflict of interest between the parties and regulatory conditions are met. Conveyancing is the legal process involved in buying or selling a property, and it can be carried out by either a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer.

What are the benefits of using the same solicitor for buying and selling?

Benefits of using the same solicitor or conveyancing firm for both sides can include: faster and clearer communication, because one firm handles information for both parties; a potentially quicker conveyancing process as steps like ID checks, anti-money laundering checks and fund transfers can be streamlined; and reduced paperwork and duplication, since both sides’ conveyancers can rely on the same internal records and systems, subject to appropriate safeguards.

What are the issues with using the same solicitor for buying and selling?

Potential issues with using the same solicitor for both buyer and seller include: conflicts of interest, where the firm must balance competing priorities such as price or completion dates; difficulties in handling disputes, as the solicitor cannot take sides if disagreements arise; and regulatory complications if conflicts are mishandled, which could lead to delays or additional problems for both parties. These risks should be carefully weighed against any benefits before deciding to use the same firm.

Conveyancing - Preparing to sell

Can the same solicitor act for both buyer and seller?

Q: Can the same solicitor act for both buyer and seller?

Yes, in some circumstances the same conveyancing firm can act for both buyer and seller. This is only possible if there is no unmanaged conflict of interest and regulatory criteria are met, and typically each party is represented by a different individual conveyancer within the firm. If a conflict arises that cannot be managed, the firm can only represent one party and the other must instruct a different conveyancer.

Q: Should I use the same conveyancer as my buyer or seller?

Whether you should use the same conveyancer as your buyer or seller depends on your specific situation. Using the same firm can reduce duplicated work, speed up communication and potentially make the transaction smoother. However, there may be conflicts of interest that breach regulations, particularly where the buyer’s and seller’s priorities differ, such as over price or completion dates. Your conveyancer will assess whether they can appropriately act for both parties.

Q: Should I use the same conveyancer for buying and selling a house?

If you are buying and selling a property at the same time and you are the only party involved, there is usually no conflict of interest. In that situation, using the same conveyancer can be highly beneficial, as they can coordinate your sale and purchase, streamline the process and help you complete as quickly as possible.

Q: Who decides if the same conveyancing solicitor can act for buyer and seller?

It is ultimately up to the conveyancer to decide whether they can act for both buyer and seller. They must follow regulatory guidelines and assess whether any conflict of interest exists and if it can be managed. If they are satisfied the criteria are met, they may agree to act for both parties, usually with different individuals within the firm representing each side and with appropriate safeguards in place.

Q: What is meant by a conveyancing conflict of interest?

In conveyancing, a conflict of interest arises where the conveyancer cannot properly act in the best interests of all parties involved. There are two main types: client conflict, where the buyer’s and seller’s interests clash and full advice to one party would be detrimental to the other; and own interest conflict, where the conveyancer’s own financial or personal interests conflict with those of their client.

Q: What do the regulations say about using the same conveyancer?

Current regulations do not make separate representation for buyers and sellers compulsory in every case. Instead, they set out the circumstances in which the same conveyancing firm can act for both parties. If the regulatory criteria are not met or a conflict of interest cannot be managed, the conveyancer must choose to act for only one party to comply with their Code of Conduct.

Q: What are the circumstances where using the same conveyancer may be possible?

Using the same conveyancer for both buyer and seller may be possible if any potential conflict of interest can be properly identified and managed. To assess this, a conveyancer will consider factors such as each party’s bargaining power, any particular vulnerabilities, and the length and structure of the chain. If they conclude that any conflict is minimal or manageable, they may proceed with appropriate safeguards, including written informed consent from both parties and separate individuals within the firm representing each side.

Q: What happens if the conveyancer decides the conflict risk is minimal?

If the conveyancer decides that the risk of conflict is low or can be managed, they may agree to act for both parties. In that case, they will usually: inform both parties in writing about the risks and what will happen if they must stop acting; obtain written informed consent from both parties; record their analysis of why they consider it appropriate to act; and ensure that different individuals within the firm represent each party.

Q: What’s the benefit of using the same conveyancer?

Using the same conveyancing firm for buyer and seller can offer several benefits, including fewer parties involved, reduced duplicated work, and potentially faster communication and progress. The same systems, processes and timetables can be applied on both sides, which may speed up the transaction and reduce delays. However, you should weigh these advantages against the risk of conflicts of interest and consider whether separate representation might be more appropriate in your circumstances.

4 min read

Many movers question whether they can share a conveyancer with the other party, hoping to save both sides some time and money. Read on to find out My Home Move Conveyancing’s view.

Abigail Bolton

SEO Specialist and Senior Copywriter

Updated on November 19th 2025

Published November 18th 2024

family talking after sorting out a conveyancer for their house sale and purchase

Conveyancing

Home
For buyers
Conveyancing
Can the same solicitor act for both buyer and seller?

Key takeaways:

Buyers and sellers can use the same conveyancing firm if there is no unmanaged conflict of interest and regulatory criteria are met.
If you’re buying and selling at the same time, you’re the only person involved so there is no conflict of interest between parties. This means you can usually use the same conveyancer, which often offers many benefits.
Your conveyancer will decide if they can act for both parties, following regulation guidelines. If they identify a conflict that can’t be managed, they can only represent one party, and the other will have to instruct a different conveyancer.
Using the same firm can speed up the process and reduce duplicated work, but it can also create difficulties if disputes arise or priorities clash, so you’ll need to weigh the benefits against the risk of conflict of interest.

Buyers and sellers can use the same conveyancers

In summary the buyer and seller can use the same conveyancing firm, provided there is no conflict of interest, and the same individual conveyancer is not used by both parties. Using the same conveyancers can speed up the process and reduce unnecessary communications, but this can only be done if certain regulatory criteria are met. However, often the interests of the seller (to achieve the highest possible price) conflict with those of the buyer (to get the best price for the property). This makes dual representation less feasible, particularly for smaller, independent firms, because the solicitor cannot fully serve both parties’ interests at once.

Continue reading our article below to find out benefits of using the same solicitor for both parties, what the regulations say and how to limit any conflict of interest.

Alternatively, if you are ready to make your move get your personalised conveyancing quote here.

Should I use the same conveyancer as my buyer or seller?

Ultimately, the question can only be answered on a case-by-case basis. There are many benefits of using the same solicitors for conveyancing, but there can also be important conflicts of interest that could violate regulations.

We understand that if you’re looking to buy or sell a home, it’s only natural you want the process to run smoothly. If you’ve been in this position before, you may have already experienced the bumps in the road and additional costs that can crop up in the process. It’s for these reasons that many movers question whether a solicitor or conveyancer can act for both buyer and seller, hoping to save both parties time and money.

In this article we explain:

Should I use the same conveyancer for buying and selling a house?

If you’re buying and selling a property at the same time, you’re the only party involved in the process, and there’s no conflict of interest. This means you can benefit from using the same conveyancer, who can help you speed up the process and complete as soon as possible.

However, if you are buying or selling a property with another party involved, then conflicts of interest may arise.

Who decides if the same conveyancing solicitor can act for buyer and seller?

In a few scenarios, buyers and sellers using the same conveyancer can’t receive the level of personal care and professional advice they should because of what’s known as a ‘conflict of interest’. That’s why regulation is now clear that the same conveyancer can only act for both parties if several criteria are met.

Ultimately, it’ll be up to the conveyancer to decide if these criteria are met, and they can take your case on. Many conveyancers will be happy to consider doing so, and they’ll discuss any benefits or potential downsides.

In theory, a different conveyancer working for the same firm may represent each party, which can go a long way in avoiding potential complications.

What is meant by a ‘conveyancing conflict of interest’?

There are two types of conflict of interest:

Client conflict: When there’s a clash between the buyer's and seller’s best interests. This means the conveyancer either shows preferential treatment to one party or is unable to provide full legal advice to one party without it being detrimental to the other.
Own interest conflict: When there’s a clash between the conveyancer and client’s best interest; financial or personal.

So, what do the regulations say about using the same conveyancer?

The most up-to-date regulations don’t make separate representation for buyers and sellers compulsory. Instead, they list the circumstances in which using the same conveyancers would be allowed. If none of these criteria are met, then the conveyancer must choose one party to represent, otherwise they would fall foul of their regulatory Code of Conduct.

If you’re unsure whether you meet these criteria, you can contact us to find out more about conflict of interest for your own case.

What are the circumstances where using the same conveyancer may be possible?

If the solicitor can find a way to minimise the risk of any potential conflict of interest, then it should be possible for both parties to use the same conveyancing firm.

How does a conveyancer determine whether there is a conflict of interest?

To assess whether your transaction has a conflict of interest, your conveyancer will consider things like:

The bargaining power of each party and how likely they are to use it
Any unique vulnerabilities in each party’s situation
The length of the chain, and each party’s position within it.

What happens if the conveyancer decides the conflict risk is minimal?

If your conveyancer concludes that the risk of conflict is low or can be managed effectively, they may proceed with the transaction. In this case, they’ll put safeguards in place for both parties, which often include:

Inform both parties in writing about the risks and consequences if the conveyancer must stop acting
Ask both parties to give informed consent in writing, acknowledging the situation
Record an analysis of the factors they’ve considered to conclude they can act for both parties
Ensure each party is represented by different individuals from the same firm

Want to learn more about how conveyancing works? Take a look at our handy conveyancing guide.

What’s the benefit of using the same conveyancer?

So, should you try and use the same conveyancing firm? The process of buying or selling a home can be complex and bureaucratic – so you can benefit from using the same conveyancer to act for buyer and seller.

You can use the same solicitor to:

Reduce the number of parties involved and avoid unnecessary communications between conveyancers
Speed up the conveyancing process as the same systems, processes and timetables are applied on both sides
Avoid negotiations since both parties have the same interest and are working towards the same goal.

Ultimately, it is up to you to determine if you wish to use the same conveyancer, and to weigh up these benefits against possible conflicts of interest. If you’d like more support, please do contact us to see what our experts would recommend for your case.

Using the same Solicitor FAQs:

Often you can, but not in all circumstances. A buyer and seller can use the same conveyancing firm if there’s no conflict of interest and separate conveyancers within the firm handle each side.
There are many of benefits of using the same solicitor, including:
Faster and clearer communication: With one firm handling both sides, information flows more smoothly between parties, reducing delays and miscommunication.
Potentially quicker conveyancing process: Using the same firm can streamline steps such as ID verification, anti-money laundering checks, and fund transfers, helping the transaction progress more efficiently.
Reduced paperwork and duplication: Using the same firm can eliminate the need for duplicating information such as title deeds, property details, and ID documentation, since both sides’ conveyancers have access to the same internal records and systems (subject to safeguards).
When a buyer and seller use the same conveyancer you may be faced with the following issues:
Conflict of interest: The conveyancer must act in the best interests of both parties, which can be difficult if priorities clash, such as over price or completion dates.
Difficulty handling disputes: Any disagreements or unexpected issues may be harder to resolve effectively, since the solicitor cannot take sides.
Regulatory complications: If the firm mishandles conflicts of interest, they could face regulatory penalties, which may delay the transaction or create additional complications for both parties.

Expert conveyancing you can trust

We work with conveyancers that can represent both buyer and seller, streamlining the process and saving you time and stress.

Get your personalised quote in seconds. No hassle, no commitment, just clear and competitive pricing from trusted conveyancing experts.

Get a quote

Young woman using phone to get a conveyancing quote from My Home Move Conveyancing

young family looking at new houses to buy after putting their home on the market

Things to look for when buying and selling a home at the same time

August 21st 2025-7 min read

Read our guide for guidance on buying and selling a home at the same time. Discover what you should look out for & the steps to take throughout the process.

young woman sitting on the sofa with her small black dog, in her flat, covered with a blanket and smiling whilst looking out of the window. Behind is an open plan kitchen with a white brick wall and modern shelves. She's excited as she is leaving her rented flat and moving into her first home

The cost of buying a house

September 1st 2025-6 min read

Discover the cost involved in buying a house, from conveyancing to stamp duty. Make sure you know what to expect when you become a homeowner.

beautiful lady on the phone to her partner happy with the costs for selling her house so she can move with her pets into his

What is the cost of selling a house?

February 24th 2025-7 min read

When you sell a house, you will have various costs to factor in. Here we take a look at the costs you can expect to pay, to help you plan ahead.

Share this post

Contact