Licensed Conveyancer
Encyclopedia
A Licensed Conveyancer is a specialist legal professional in the United Kingdom
, New Zealand
, Australia
or South Africa
who has been trained to deal with all aspects of property law
.
Typically, their tasks might include:
Their role is very similar to that of a solicitor dealing with a property transaction.
However, rather than being qualified as a solicitor, they will have completed all of the examinations and practical training provided by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers and in addition to this, they will be at least 21 years of age and be considered by the CLC to be a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
They may be employed by firms of solicitors or other institutions such as bank
s and property developers. Alternatively, after holding three consecutive annual (limited) licences and being employed for at least three years, they may apply for a full licence and practise on their own or in a partnership.
A Licensed Conveyancer holding a limited licence is required to complete eight hours of professional training each year (CPD - Continuing Professional Development
training). Licensed Conveyancers with a full licence must complete 12 hours of professional training each year. A large part of this training must relate to property law and practice.
Like solicitors and barrister
s, Licensed Conveyancers are also Commissioners for Oaths. A Commissioner for Oaths is a person appointed by the Lord Chancellor with power to administer oath
s or take affidavit
s.
They are regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers, a body established by the Administration of Justice Act 1985 to maintain consistent standards of professionalism and conduct among persons who practice as Licensed Conveyancers. Licensed Conveyancers are also answerable to the Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
or South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
who has been trained to deal with all aspects of property law
Property law
Property law is the area of law that governs the various forms of ownership in real property and in personal property, within the common law legal system. In the civil law system, there is a division between movable and immovable property...
.
Typically, their tasks might include:
- Taking instructions from a client in relation to the sale or purchase of land or property
- Conducting searches in relation to the property with local authorities
- Advising clients of any incurred costs such as stamp duty land tax and legal fees
- Drafting contracts setting out the terms of the sale of a property
- Liaising with mortgage lenders (banks and building societies) to ensure they have all the relevant information
- Paying costs on behalf of the client such as stamp duty and estate agent fees
Their role is very similar to that of a solicitor dealing with a property transaction.
However, rather than being qualified as a solicitor, they will have completed all of the examinations and practical training provided by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers and in addition to this, they will be at least 21 years of age and be considered by the CLC to be a fit and proper person to hold a licence.
They may be employed by firms of solicitors or other institutions such as bank
Bank
A bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
s and property developers. Alternatively, after holding three consecutive annual (limited) licences and being employed for at least three years, they may apply for a full licence and practise on their own or in a partnership.
A Licensed Conveyancer holding a limited licence is required to complete eight hours of professional training each year (CPD - Continuing Professional Development
Continuing Professional Development
Continuing professional development or Continuing professional education is the means by which people maintain their knowledge and skills related to their professional lives.-CPD research:...
training). Licensed Conveyancers with a full licence must complete 12 hours of professional training each year. A large part of this training must relate to property law and practice.
Like solicitors and barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
s, Licensed Conveyancers are also Commissioners for Oaths. A Commissioner for Oaths is a person appointed by the Lord Chancellor with power to administer oath
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
s or take affidavit
Affidavit
An affidavit is a written sworn statement of fact voluntarily made by an affiant or deponent under an oath or affirmation administered by a person authorized to do so by law. Such statement is witnessed as to the authenticity of the affiant's signature by a taker of oaths, such as a notary public...
s.
They are regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers, a body established by the Administration of Justice Act 1985 to maintain consistent standards of professionalism and conduct among persons who practice as Licensed Conveyancers. Licensed Conveyancers are also answerable to the Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board
Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board
The Authorised Conveyancing Practitioners Board is the regulatory organisation and professional association for authorised conveyancers in the United Kingdom...
.