A licensed conveyancer or conveyancing solicitor is a legal professional specialised in property law and is qualified to manage the legal aspects of buying and selling properties or land.
Since 1985, the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) can issue licences to qualified lawyers who deal with all the legal matters involved when buying or selling property in England and Wales.
With this licence, these professionals can then provide conveyancing services.
What is the Administration of Justice Act 1985?
Up until 1987, it was more than likely you'd have to use a solicitor when moving home. But the Administration of Justice Act 1985 permits licensed conveyancers to offer their help to people buying and selling a property.
It also helped to reduce the workload for solicitors too. However it wasn't until 1987 that the CLC implemented the changes set out by the Administration of Justice Act.
What does a licensed conveyancer do?
A licensed conveyancer deals with all the legal aspects, administration and finance involved in a property or land transaction. They give their client all the legal advice they need to confidently transfer ownership.
From searches to contracts, you can trust their knowledge and experience to make the process of buying or selling property much easier.
One of the main tasks of conveyancers is to prepare and review property sale contracts. They handle contracts that use the standard terms of sale prepared by the Law Society.
Conveyancers also handle searches to identify potential issues before any residential property transactions happen. These searches can for example include a local authority search or an environmental search such as flood risk.
Land registry checks are also one of the conveyancer's tasks. They make sure that the seller owns the property by looking at ownership records.
Another important responsability for conveyancers is to coordinate with other parties involved in property transactions such as other conveyancing solicitors, mortgage lenders or estate agents. They ensure everyone stays informed throughout the whole process.
Conveyancers will also organise the payment of the stamp duty land tax when reaching the completion stage of the conveyancing process.
A licensed conveyancer is also a Commissioner for Oaths. It provides them with the legal power to witness official documents. This can include affidavits that swear a statement is the truth.
Overall, licensed conveyancers have the same authority as conveyancing solicitors when it comes to conveyancing transactions.
Is a licensed conveyancer a solicitor?
Is a licensed conveyancer a solicitor?
Are conveyancers and solicitors the same? The short answer is no.
There are two main differences between a solicitor and a conveyancer.
The first is their legal expertise.
A solicitor is likely to have a greater knowledge of property law in its widest sense. But a licensed conveyancer only specialises in the paperwork, contracts and finances if you're buying or selling a home.
The second difference is who regulates them.
Firms or individuals who offer conveyancing services must make clear to the public who they are regulated by.
For a solicitor, it should be the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). For a licensed conveyancer, it'll be the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) as we mentioned earlier.
Many firms who provide conveyancing services now use the phrase 'property lawyers' in their name. But this doesn't have any precise legal meaning - and it can apply to both solicitors or licensed conveyancers alike.
The important thing to remember is that, despite their differences, you can trust solicitors or licensed conveyancers to take care of legal matters if you're moving home.
Licensed conveyancer vs solicitor
What can a licensed conveyancer do?
Difference between conveyancer and solicitor summarised.
| Licensed Conveyancer | Solicitor | |
| Focus | Specialised in property transactions | Offers broader range of legal services |
Services | Conveyancing services like drafting contracts, searches and finance transactions. | Conveyancing services but also additional legal services. |
Qualifications | Qualified and licensed in conveyancing | Can be qualified in a different area of law |
Professional regulation | Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) | Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) |
How to check if a conveyancer is registered?
How to check if a conveyancer is registered?
If you're ever in doubt about a licensed conveyancer, you can check if they're regulated by the CLC. But you can be assured that Homeward Legal will only work with conveyancers with the necessary skills, qualifications and licence to offer their services.
All our professionals are members of the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme too. It means you can expect to receive the very highest standards of service.
What does the CLC do?
The CLC sets the educational and training standards that applicants must achieve to become licensed conveyancers. It also sets standards that regulate the professional practice, conduct and discipline of all individuals and firms.
In addition, the CLC maintains a compensation fund to protect you if something goes wrong.
How to check if a conveyancer is licensed
If you're ever in doubt about a licensed conveyancer, you can check if they're regulated by the CLC. But you can be assured that Homeward Legal will only work with conveyancers with the necessary skills, qualifications and licence to offer their services.
All our professionals are members of the Law Society's Conveyancing Quality Scheme too. It means you can expect to receive the very highest standards of service. To instruct a licensed conveyancer you can trust, call us now on or get a conveyancing quote online.
What does the CLC do?
The CLC sets the educational and training standards that applicants must achieve to become licensed conveyancers. It also sets standards that regulate the professional practice, conduct and discipline of all individuals and firms.
In addition, the CLC maintains a compensation fund to protect you if something goes wrong.
Are conveyancers cheaper than solicitors?
Are conveyancers cheaper than solicitors?
There doesn't seem to be much difference in the cost of a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer. The latter won't necessarily work out cheaper.
As Homeward Legal works with both licensed conveyancers and solicitors, we're able to make sure you get the professional help you need.
To instruct a licensed conveyancer you can trust, call us now on or get a conveyancing quote online.
Frequently asked questions...
Conveyancing should not be attempted solo as it can be an extremely time-consuming and complex process. Most mortgage lenders require you to use a solicitor or conveyancer if taking out a loan for the property you plan on buying.
The average conveyancing fees in 2025 are £1,743 when buying a house and £814 when selling a house excluding disbursements, at the average UK price of £277,000.
Learn more about conveyancing fees.