Licensed conveyancers are property law specialists who guide clients through buying, selling and remortgaging property in England and Wales
Licensed conveyancers manage the legal and administrative work involved in property transactions. You'll support clients buying, selling or remortgaging homes, business premises and land, making sure each transaction progresses accurately and on time.
You'll prepare and check contracts, mortgage documents, leases and transfer deeds, explain legal and financial details clearly, and may act for a buyer, seller or, where permitted, both parties.
What does a licensed conveyancer do?
As a licensed conveyancer, you'll typically:
- take instructions from clients and explain the conveyancing process
- verify identities and protect clients against fraud and money laundering
- issue terms of engagement, fee estimates and details of disbursements
- obtain and check title deeds and Land Registry documents
- carry out property searches and review issues such as planning proposals, leases, easements, covenants, flood risk and subsidence
- draft or check contracts and negotiate terms with the other party's conveyancer
- review mortgage instructions and prepare transfer and mortgage deeds
- manage transaction funds, taxes and other financial requirements
- exchange contracts, complete the transaction and register the client and lender with the Land Registry
- handle leasehold requirements, including landlord consent and apportioning rent and service charges
- maintain accurate digital case files and communicate with clients, lenders, estate agents and other professionals.
Licensed conveyancer salary
- Starting salaries for trainees or newly qualified conveyancers are typically between £19,000 and £27,000.
- With around three years' post-qualification experience, conveyancers can expect to earn in the range of £32,000 to £55,000.
- Senior managers typically earn between £45,000 and £60,000, while partners or owners of conveyancing firms can earn £65,000 or more.
Pay varies by experience, location, employer and level of responsibility.
Some employers offer commission, health insurance, pension contributions and other benefits.
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
How many hours does a licensed conveyancer work?
Licensed conveyancers typically work around 37 hours a week. Extra hours may be needed during busy periods, and some employers offer evening or weekend services.
Part-time work and job sharing may be available.
The role is mainly office based, with regular contact with clients and property professionals. Occasional local travel may be required, but overnight stays are rare.
How to become a licensed conveyancer
You don't need a degree to become a licensed conveyancer, although study in a relevant subject can be useful. Relevant subjects include:
- accounting and finance
- business and management
- land, estate or property management
- law or legal studies
- planning
- surveying.
To qualify in England and Wales, you must complete the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) qualification, usually while working. You'll need to:
- register as a student with the CLC
- complete 1,200 hours of supervised practical experience
- pass the Level 4 and Level 6 CLC diploma assessments. You can study part time or by distance learning, and the Level 4 Diploma may be completed through an apprenticeship.
Full details of the modules involved, and a list of accredited institutions and distance learning course providers, can be found at CLC.
Completing the Level 4 Diploma without the Level 6 Diploma qualifies you to work as a conveyancing technician under the supervision of a fully qualified property lawyer.
The minimum entry requirements are usually four GCSE passes at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including English. Relevant personal qualities and skills are often more important than your previous subjects.
Financial difficulties or criminal convictions may affect your eligibility, so check the current requirements with the CLC.
Most students complete the practical experience and assessments in three to four years, although completion within two years may be possible.
After qualifying, you can apply for a first licence allowing you to provide conveyancing services through an employer.
With further experience and training, you can apply for a manager licence and become self-employed or enter a partnership.
A conveyancing apprenticeship may take between 18 months and five years, depending on your qualifications and previous legal experience.
What skills does a licensed conveyancer need?
You'll need:
- clear communication and negotiation skills
- close attention to detail and accuracy
- the ability to interpret and explain property law and legal documents
- organisation and case-management skills
- commercial awareness and confidence with figures
- problem-solving skills and sound professional judgement.
Licensed conveyancer work experience
Experience in a solicitor's practice, property company, bank or building society can strengthen your application. Work as a legal secretary, paralegal or chartered legal executive is particularly useful but isn't essential.
To apply for your first qualifying licence as a CLC lawyer, you must complete 1,200 hours of practical experience.
Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.
Who employs licensed conveyancers?
Many employers prefer conveyancers who are regulated by the CLC because this demonstrates recognised professional standards.
Most first-licence holders work in law firms. Other employers include:
- airports
- banks
- building societies
- civil service departments
- housing associations
- local authorities - particularly corporate services, planning and legal departments
- property development companies
- railways.
Experienced conveyancers with a manager licence may run a private practice, join a partnership, or work on a freelance or consultancy basis.
Look for job vacancies at:
Where can a career as a licensed conveyancer lead?
After gaining the CLC qualification and your first licence, you'll build experience by managing increasingly complex property transactions.
You can take an additional qualification to handle probate work - the legal process for administering a person's estate after they die.
With sufficient experience, you can apply for a manager licence, become self-employed, enter a partnership or establish a practice.
You must complete continuing professional development (CPD). First-licence holders complete at least six hours each year, while manager-licence holders complete at least 12 hours and must hold professional indemnity insurance and contribute to the CLC compensation fund.
Progression opportunities depend on the size and structure of your employer, and you may need to change organisation to advance.
You could supervise a conveyancing team, lead a property department or, with a manager licence, set up your own practice.
Experienced conveyancers may also work as locums or consultants.
With further training, you could move into a related career such as:
- accountant
- civil servant
- estate agent
- financial adviser
- insurance professional
- solicitor.