"What's been particularly noticeable is that conveyancing is no longer treated as a later step. Brokers are making those decisions alongside the mortgage recommendation because they understand any delay at that stage can put the client's position at risk"
- Harpal Singh - conveybuddy
Conveyancing distributor conveybuddy has published its Q1 2026 figures, showing total instructions up more than 50% on Q4 2025, fuelled by a surge in remortgage conveyancing activity as market volatility prompted brokers to accelerate cases ahead of rate changes.
Activity built steadily through January and February before spiking sharply in March, when lenders began withdrawing products and adjusting pricing. Brokers responded by bringing cases forward, particularly in the remortgage space, where existing borrowers could act quickly in response to lender deadlines.
conveybuddy said the quarterly total, therefore, reflects cases pulled forward rather than new demand entering the market.
Broker adoption of the platform also grew, with active users up 18% over the three months. The firm attributed this to brokers seeking greater control over the conveyancing process at a time when timing had become critical to protecting client outcomes.
The data revealed a continued preference for conveybuddy's all-inclusive remortgage product over lenders' free legals options, with the majority of cases concentrated below £349. conveybuddy said this reflected brokers' focus on cost certainty and transparent pricing, particularly during volatile periods.
Lender activity was spread closely across major players, with Barclays and NatWest the most active during the quarter, followed by Nationwide and Santander, and BM Solutions also featuring prominently. The narrow gap between lenders, conveybuddy noted, pointed to brokers shifting quickly in response to product pricing and cashback changes.
Harpal Singh, chief executive of conveybuddy (pictured), said: "Q1 was shaped by a very different set of dynamics compared to the end of last year. Rather than clients holding back, we saw brokers and their clients bringing decisions forward, particularly during March when it was vital they responded quickly to lenders withdrawing products and changing rates."
He added that the broader data illustrated just how far that behaviour had rippled through the quarter. "What we reported in March was a clear reaction to those market movements, but what the broader quarterly data shows is the wider impact of that behaviour," he said. "A significant volume of business was effectively pulled forward, especially in the remortgage space where clients could act more quickly."
Singh noted that brokers' growing use of the platform was deliberate. "We've seen more brokers using the platform, and that's not by chance," he said. "In periods like this, they need confidence not just in securing a rate, but in the whole legal process that follows. Getting the conveyancing right is critical if you want that case to complete on time."
The shift in how brokers approach conveyancing was also striking, he added. "What's been particularly noticeable is that conveyancing is no longer treated as a later step. Brokers are making those decisions alongside the mortgage recommendation because they understand any delay at that stage can put the client's position at risk."
On the preference for all-inclusive remortgage conveyancing products, Singh said the message from brokers and clients was consistent. "The continued demand for our all-inclusive remortgage options, particularly in that it is widely being chosen over 'free legals', also reflects that need for certainty," he said. "Clients want to know exactly what they are paying, and brokers want to avoid any surprises that could slow things down."
Looking ahead, he cautioned that the pattern may not hold. "It's possible that some of this activity would have otherwise taken place later in the year, so we may see a more uneven pattern in the months ahead. However, what remains constant is the need for a conveyancing process that can keep up with how quickly the mortgage market now moves."
