Licensed conveyancer

Licensed conveyancer job description: Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills | Useful links | Find jobs and courses

Fully qualified lawyers, licensed conveyancers work soley with property law.

Other responsibilities include

• giving legal advice
• researching cases
• writing and preparing legal and financial documents
• handling probate and litigation tasks
• monitoring sales progress.

The profession offers good opportunities for promotion, although salaries (particularly during training) are lower than in other legal areas.

Typical employers of licensed conveyancers

• solicitors' firms
• banks
• building societies
• property developers
• local authorities.

The majority of licensed conveyancers work on a self-employed basis or for private practices. A large proportion of their work involves liaison with clients and organisations such as mortgage companies and estate agents.

Vacancies are advertised by specialist recruitment agencies, in national newspapers and relevant publications including The Legal Executive, The CLC Chronicle, The Lawyer and the Law Gazette.

Qualifications and training required

The minimum requirements are four GCSEs (grades A-C) including English and two A-Levels (grades A-C) or a BTEC qualification. However, employers often prefer graduates and candidates with previous legal experience. A degree in planning, surveying, law, management or business studies can be advantageous, as can relevant work experience gained in either a legal or a property setting.

Employees will train towards the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) professional examinations while working. They will also be required to do two years' supervised work experience.

Key skills for licensed conveyancers

• verbal communication skills
• telephone skills
• team working skills
• able to work under pressure
• able to meet deadlines
• drive
• commitment
• ambition
• determination
• independence