How a 200-year-old South West law firm built a search partnership around responsiveness, trust, and support that feels like part of the team.
About Wolferstans
Wolferstans has served the South West since 1812. Today the firm covers every area of law except criminal, from residential conveyancing to Court of Protection work, out of two offices in Plymouth. With over 200 staff and no reliance on consultants, Wolferstans has built its reputation on a simple idea: every client should feel like your only client.
That philosophy shows up in the numbers. There are over 2,000 client reviews on Review Solicitors, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5. We spoke to Tishka Chapman, Partner in Wolferstans’ Residential Conveyancing team and a 16-year veteran of the firm, about what it takes to deliver that experience at scale and where Dye & Durham’s conveyancing search services fit into it.
A Market That Expects Everything, Instantly
Residential conveyancing has changed drastically in the past decade. Compliance requirements, particularly around source of funds, now sit squarely with the solicitor, not the client, and can add weeks to a transaction before any legal work begins. At the same time, client expectations have moved in the opposite direction.
Wolferstans’ answer has been to get ahead of the client rather than wait to be asked. The firm runs a task system that updates clients every two to three days as standard – so instead of clients chasing the status of their matter, Wolferstans keeps them consistently informed. The same proactive approach extends outward: the team chases lenders and other firms in a chain if responses are slow, rather than letting a stalled email sit unanswered.
Finding a Search Partner That Matches That Standard
For Wolferstans, choosing a property search provider was never just about the product. Rather it was about whether their chosen search provider delivered the same standard of personal, responsive service that Wolferstans prides itself on. It’s the reason the firm moved away from previous providers.
“I like to have that personal touch. When that personal touch goes away, that’s when we start looking for different search providers. I don’t like the corporate way some search providers go.”
That personal touch is what Wolferstans has found with Dye & Durham and something Tishka praises strongly about the Dye & Durham search team.
“They Do the Chasing”
Speed and accessibility come up again and again when Tishka describes working with Dye & Durham. Conveyancing moves fast, and a 24-hour turnaround on a query is already too slow for the firm to meet its clients’ expectations.
“
Conveyancing is so fast paced we can’t wait 24 hours. I emailed Dye & Durham three times today and got a response to each one right away.”
That responsiveness is consistent, whether it’s a quick day-to-day query or a specific tracing request like a Section 106 agreement.
“The search team at Dye & Durham are fantastic – they do all the chasing on my behalf, give me updates before I even need to ask, and every time I call, someone answers the phone.”
The Recommendation
Asked directly whether she’d recommend Dye & Durham to another firm, Tishka didn’t hesitate.
“
I would definitely recommend Dye & Durham – because you offer that personal service.”
Looking for a search partner that feels like part of your team, not another portal to manage? Find out how Dye & Durham supports conveyancing teams across the UK with fast, personal search support.
