How Long Should a Solicitor Take to Reply to an Email?
One of the most common questions from people buying or selling property, going through divorce, or dealing with probate is: how long is too long to wait for a reply from your solicitor?
The honest answer is that there's no single legal rule — but there are clear professional standards, and knowing them puts you in a much stronger position.
What the SRA says
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) requires solicitors to respond to client communications "promptly". That word is deliberately vague, but in practice the profession generally treats 2-3 working days as a reasonable standard for most routine correspondence.
What's normal in practice
In reality, response times vary by case type and urgency. For conveyancing, divorce and probate matters, the following are reasonable expectations:
- Routine update requests: 2-3 working days
- Urgent matters (exchange of contracts, court deadlines): same day or next day
- Complex queries requiring legal research: up to 5 working days with an acknowledgement
When should you start to worry?
If you've sent a clear, specific email and haven't heard back within 5 working days — with no acknowledgement at all — something is wrong. This is especially true if you're at a critical stage in your case.
What to do if they're not replying
Start by sending a polite but firm follow-up email referencing your original message. If you still hear nothing within 48 hours, escalate to their supervisor or the firm's client care team.
Keep a record of every contact attempt — date, method, and content. If the situation doesn't improve, you have the right to raise a formal complaint with the firm, and ultimately to take the matter to the Legal Ombudsman.
CaseChaser tracks exactly how long it's been since your solicitor last contacted you, generates the right chase email for your situation, and tells you precisely when you've hit the Legal Ombudsman threshold. Start for free at casechaser.co.uk.