Licensed conveyancer
Licensed conveyancers and probate practitioners are specialist lawyers who handle the legal and financial aspects of property sales, probate and wills.
Also known as: Licensed probate practitioner, property lawyer, wills lawyer
- Starter salary£25,000 a year
- Experienced£65,000 a year
- Typical hours36 to 40 a week
What you'll do
As a licensed conveyancer, you could:
- advise clients on the property buying and selling process
- research who legally owns land and property
- draft sale contracts and make sure property taxes are paid
- talk to mortgage lenders, estate agents and solicitors
- check financial records, prepare leases and transfer documents
- keep buyers and sellers up to date with progress of a sale
- deal with exchange of contracts to complete a sale
As a licensed probate practitioner, you could:
- provide legal guidance to people to help them plan what happens to their money, property and possessions when they die
- explain the process and responsibilities to the people in charge of someone's estate
- prepare and submit legal documents
- make sure the estate is managed according to the will or inheritance rules
- keep accurate records and give clear updates
- handle the money and bills of the estate, then make sure whatever is left goes to the people who are meant to inherit it
Licensed conveyancers and licensed probate practitioners are also Commissioners for Oaths. This means they have legal authority to do things like administer oaths and witness official documents.
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client's business.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- excellent verbal communication skills
- excellent written communication skills
- knowledge of English language
- active listening skills
- analytical thinking skills
- maths skills
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
How to become a licensed conveyancer
You can get into this job through:
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- professional qualifications approved by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Legal Technician - Conveyancing Technician or Probate Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship. This would qualify you to work as conveyancing or probate technician.
Afterwards, you might move onto a Licensed Conveyancer or Licensed Probate Practitioner Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
These apprenticeships can take between 2 and 5 years to complete and combine on-the-job training and time spent with a learning provider.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
Work
You could start in a conveyancing, probate or private client office office and work your way up by training to become a registered conveyancing or probate technician .
To become a registered conveyancing or probate technician, you'll need:
- 6 months' practical experience in a probate or conveyancing practice, in a legal firm or in an organisation offering probate services to the public
- to apply for registration with the Council for Licensed Conveyancers
You could then take the Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice to qualify as a qualified licensed conveyancer.
Other routes
You can take the following qualifications through the Council for Licensed Conveyancers :
- Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice
- Level 4 Diploma in Probate Law and Practice
- Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice
- Level 6 Diploma in Probate Law and Practice
You can start studying even if you're not working in the legal profession. Each diploma takes around 18 to 24 months to complete, including practical experience.
You may be able to complete these more quickly if you already have a legal qualification, for example:
- law degree
- legal practice course
- Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)
- Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) Level 6 Diploma
The Level 4 Diploma would qualify you as a conveyancing technician or a probate technician, depending on which qualification you take.
The Level 6 Diploma would qualify you as a licensed conveyancer or a probate practitioner.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- have a credit check
- pass enhanced background checks
Career path and progression
With experience, you could:
- manage a conveyancing department in a large company
- set up your own conveyancing firm
- carry out other areas of law, like litigation
Registration
- you'll need to apply to the CLC to be listed as a technician on the directory or to apply for a license to practice, so you can use the protected titles of Licensed Conveyancer or Licensed Probate Practitioner.
Guides for this industry
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