Sophia Ramzan, Partner and Head of Residential Conveyancing at Watkins Solicitors, has been featured in a recent article published by Legal Futures, discussing how law firms are responding to increasing client expectations while maintaining high standards of service.

The article explored findings from the 2026 Bellwether Report by LexisNexis, which surveyed more than 500 legal professionals across England and Wales. The report examined the challenges many firms face in balancing growing workloads, operational efficiency and client service, while continuing to meet rising expectations around communication and responsiveness.

As part of the article, Sophia shared her perspective on the importance of ensuring growth never comes at the expense of client care.

Sophia said:

“Client expectations around speed are a growing challenge, and firms have to grow at a pace they can manage without cutting corners.

“We are focusing on tightening processes, using systems better and making sure the team is properly supported so we can keep delivering consistently. It is about doing things properly and building trust so clients come back and refer others.”

The article highlighted how firms are investing in improved processes, technology and operational efficiency to help meet client expectations while continuing to deliver high-quality legal services.

For clients, the findings reinforce the importance of choosing a law firm that not only provides specialist legal expertise, but also has the systems, processes and resources in place to support matters efficiently and communicate clearly throughout the process.

At Watkins Solicitors, we continue to invest in our people, technology and ways of working to help ensure clients receive a responsive, quality service across all areas of the firm. Within Conveyancing, this commitment has been recognised through a number of recent achievements, including being named Conveyancing Firm of the Year – South of England at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2025 and being shortlisted in the Legal category at the Bristol Property Awards 2025.

The team has also demonstrated a focus on quality and efficiency, achieving a 0% avoidable requisition rate in a recent HM Land Registry report. Avoidable requisitions are requests from HM Land Registry for information or corrections that could have been prevented before submission. Achieving a 0% score reflects the team's attention to detail and commitment to getting matters right first time wherever possible.

Whether assisting with a property transaction, family matter, education law issue or public law challenge, our focus remains on providing clear advice, practical support and excellent client care.

Founded in 1998, Watkins Solicitors has grown into a multi-award-winning law firm with more than 50 staff across Bristol, Bath and Hereford. The firm continues to receive regional and national recognition for its work across Family Law, Education Law, Conveyancing and Public Law and Human Rights.

The full Legal Futures article can be read here: https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/small-law-firms-held-back-by-operational-drag-in-back-office

For more information about Watkins Solicitors and our services, please contact the team at info@watkinssolicitors.co.uk.