Licensed conveyancer: job description

There are routes into becoming a licensed conveyancer for both university graduates and school leavers.

What does a licensed conveyancer do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills

Licensed conveyancers work solely within property law. In England and Wales, they can do everything that a solicitor can do in a conveyancing transaction – they have the same legal authority to act. In Scotland, conveyancing is done by solicitors only.

Typical responsibilities include:

• giving legal advice
• researching cases
• writing and preparing legal and financial documents
• handling probate and litigation tasks
• monitoring sales progress
• handling and preparing contracts and leases
• liaising with solicitors and estate agents

The profession offers good opportunities for promotion, although salaries (particularly during training) are lower than in other legal areas. The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) is the regulatory body for this profession.

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 in private practice. 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 Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) Journal , and the Law Society Gazette Jobs .

Qualifications and training required

There are routes into becoming a licensed conveyancer for both university graduates and school leavers. School leavers need to complete the Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice followed by completing the Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice. To find out about how you can get into this career via a school leaver route (eg an apprenticeship or school leaver training programme) see the law section of TARGETcareers, our website aimed at school leavers.

For graduates, a degree in planning, surveying, law, management, finance or business studies can be advantageous.

To become a fully qualified licensed conveyancer it is necessary to complete one year of practical experience with an ‘authorised person’ such as a solicitor, and pass the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) exams.

Key skills for licensed conveyancers

• Verbal communication and telephone skills
• Teamwork skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Commitment and determination
• Research skills
• Attention to detail
• Independence

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