Licensed conveyancer
Licensed conveyancers are specialist property lawyers who work on behalf of clients buying or selling property (houses, flats, business premises or land). They deal with all the legal matters, paperwork and queries involved in a property transaction.
Conveyancers process and agree contracts, transfers, mortgages and leases and draw up all the documents that sellers and purchasers must sign in the course of a transaction. They advise clients on the technical content of the documents and their financial implications. They may act on behalf of the vendor or the purchaser, and in certain circumstances for both in the same transaction.
Specific tasks involved include:
Specific tasks for purchase transactions include:
Overall, conveyancers spend most of their time researching information, communicating with clients and others in person, on the phone, by letter or by email, completing forms and drafting documents. They seek to protect their clients’ interests at all times, while taking precautions against potential fraud and money laundering.
More and more conveyancing tasks are now being done online and most firms use a computerised case management system.
Although this area of work is open to all graduates and diplomates, a degree, HND or foundation degree in one of the following subjects may increase your chances:
Non-graduate entry is possible as the minimum entry requirements are four GCSE passes, including English, and personal qualities and skills are often more important than the subjects you have studied. However, many licensed conveyancers are also qualified solicitors or legal executives.
You may find it useful to gain some work experience at a firm of solicitors, property developers, a building society or a bank. Previous experience, particularly as a legal secretary or legal executive, can be advantageous.
You will need to show evidence of the following:
If you have previously been in financial difficulties or in conflict with the law, you may be disqualified from entry.
The availability of trainee positions varies according to the state of the housing market. Many companies have experienced a downturn following the credit crunch. It may be worth your while to apply speculatively to smaller companies. For useful advice about getting into the profession, go to Legal Recruitment .
To become a qualified conveyancer in Scotland you need either a law degree or a diploma/certificate in legal studies from a Scottish university or approved institution. Contact the Law Society of Scotland for more details about qualifying.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
Licensed conveyancers need a licence to practise. The route to obtain this includes:
During the two-year training period, students study for the CLC examinations, either by part-time study or by distance learning. The part-time courses are offered by some colleges of further education and other institutions - you can find a list of places on the CLC website. The council also offers a distance learning course, which over 60% of students take advantage of.
The course consists of two parts:
Most students take three to four years to complete the practical training and exams, although it is possible to do it in two years. Once they have done this, licensed conveyancers become holders of the 'first licence', which allows them to offer services through an employer.
Qualified solicitors, legal executives and law graduates are eligible for exemptions from all of the foundation-level examinations and some of the practical training. All exemptions, however, are dealt with on an individual basis by the CLC and require the submission of documentary evidence.
As a limited licence holder, you could progress to take on supervisory responsibilities, perhaps leading a property team of legal and administrative staff. Opportunities for specialisation are limited, but some job advertisements emphasise residential or commercial conveyancing. Licensed conveyancers can also deal with probate, the legal process that takes place after someone dies. An additional qualification to the existing licence is available for those who wish to do this.
The availability of internal opportunities for career development may depend to a great extent on company size. You may find it advantageous to move jobs regularly if you wish to get on. There are some opportunities to work as a locum.
After three further consecutive years’ experience in the profession, conveyancers may apply for the full Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) licence, which allows them to become self-employed or enter into partnerships. Some choose to run their business working from home. The CLC website offers further advice on becoming self-employed as a conveyancer.
Both limited and full licence holders are required to undertake periods of continuing professional development (CPD) as stipulated by the CLC. In each year they are licensed, conveyancers must undertake a minimum of six hours' continuing professional development (CPD). Twelve hours are required for full licence holders, who must also hold professional indemnity insurance and contribute to the CLC compensation fund. CPD participation is regulated by submission of a training record and may take the form of attendance at seminars and short courses and use of study videos.
You could also consider alternative careers and it is possible for conveyancers to move into other fields, such as:
Progression to other careers in law (e.g. solicitor) is also possible with the right qualifications.
The number of licensed conveyancers registered with the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is continuously increasing, and many employers want their conveyancers to be regulated by the CLC.
Although it is possible to work in a wide variety of organisations, the vast majority of limited licence holders are to be found in firms of solicitors and property lawyers, with others working for local authorities and property companies. Local authority conveyancers may be employed in corporate services, planning or legal departments. Other organisations that employ conveyancers include banks, building societies and civil service departments.
Most full licence holders work in private practice with one or two partners, perhaps employing a small team of staff.
You can find more suggestions at Agency Central .
Many recruitment agencies have a section dealing with legal vacancies and you can get details of specialist legal recruitment agencies from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) .
Licensed conveyancers can also apply for posts advertised for conveyancing solicitors, with whom they enjoy equal professional status.
Get tips on job hunting, CVs and covering letters and interviews.
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