Become a dual qualified lawyer with CLC

Practice in multiple areas of law – become a dual qualified lawyer with CLC

Find out about the perks and possibilities of dual qualifying as a CLC Licensed Conveyancer AND as a CLC Licensed Probate Practitioner.

There is a natural synergy that exists between Conveyancing and Probate as areas of practice. In fact, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) regulate both property and probate lawyers and so offer a quick and clear route to becoming licensed in both areas – expanding the remit within which one can practice.

In this article, we will explore how dual qualifying through CLC can enhance your legal career – positioning you as an attractive employment prospect and enabling you to deal with both of these key client needs within your firm.

What is Conveyancing?

Conveyancing is defined by Black’s Law Dictionary as the transfer of legal title of real property from one person to another, or the granting of an encumbrance such as a mortgage or a lien.

Licensed Conveyancers are defined by the CLC as qualified, professional property lawyers who specialise in the legal aspects surrounding buying and selling property in England and Wales. They are authorised under the Legal Services Act 2007 to carry out the same activities as a Solicitor in conveyancing transactions.

Licensed Conveyancers are also Commissioners for Oaths, which means they have the legal authority to administer and witness official documents e.g. affidavits to swear that a statement is the truth.

What is Probate?

Probate is defined by Black’s Law Dictionary as the act or process of proving a will, and concerns the legal aspects of dealing with someone else’s estate after they die – this includes matters of inheritance, as well as the general administration of Wills and estates in England and Wales.

Probate practitioners are qualified in the law of succession, trusts, and other matters involved in the administration of estates. They are defined by the CLC as experts in the legal documentation and processes for dealing with the affairs of a deceased person, and they liaise with the deceased’s representatives in order to administer the estate in accordance with their Will or under the Intestacy provisions (when the deceased has not left a Will).

Like Licensed Conveyancers, Licensed Probate Practitioners are also Commissioners for Oaths and are authorised persons for probate activities under the Legal Services Act 2007.

Why dual qualify?

• Increase your employability
• Future proof your career
• Enrich your understanding

The ability for one person to practice and execute activities across two areas of law is attractive to both employers and clients.

From an employer’s perspective, you increase your worth as an asset to potential firms/companies by increasing the fee-earning potential that you as a single employee can deliver. In essence, to obtain the same skillset, your employer would need to recruit both a Conveyancer AND a Probate Practitioner, or they could just recruit you!

Additionally, your expanded skillset could present an opportunity for a firm that has only delivered services in one area of law to date to expand their remit. For example, if a firm specialises in conveyancing with no probate division, they would have historically needed to redirect clients to another firm/organisation for associated probate needs. Your dual qualification opens the door for an increase in services provided by your employer, as well as improved client retention throughout the legal process. From a client perspective, this ability to offer a seamless ‘one-stop-shop’ to meet their legal needs is also very attractive.

Future proof your career

Another aspect of dual qualifying is the career resilience that the ability to practice within two areas of law affords you with.

Not only do you increase your employability, as detailed above, but you broaden the pool of opportunities available to you as you set out on your career pathway.

It’s also the case that, if at any point you find yourself needing to cease practicing in one area, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are still able to practice in the alternative legal sphere you are qualified in.

Enrich your understanding

Conveyancing and Probate practice are two areas of law that are undeniably linked.

Usually, the process of executing someone’s Will involves the transfer of property from the deceased to the beneficiary, and therefore, if dual qualified, you would benefit from an understanding of all elements of the interlinking process.

In a similar fashion, often the point at which an individual becomes a homeowner is also the point that they consider drawing up a Will for the first time as, whilst it isn’t a legal requirement, it is strongly advised! You can read more about why here.

Increase your employability

The ability for one person to practice and execute activities across two areas of law is attractive to both employers and clients.

From an employer’s perspective, you increase your worth as an asset to potential firms/companies by increasing the fee-earning potential that you as a single employee can deliver. In essence, to obtain the same skillset, your employer would need to recruit both a Conveyancer AND a Probate Practitioner, or they could just recruit you!

Additionally, your expanded skillset could present an opportunity for a firm that has only delivered services in one area of law to date to expand their remit. For example, if a firm specialises in conveyancing with no probate division, they would have historically needed to redirect clients to another firm/organisation for associated probate needs. Your dual qualification opens the door for an increase in services provided by your employer, as well as improved client retention throughout the legal process. From a client perspective, this ability to offer a seamless ‘one-stop-shop’ to meet their legal needs is also very attractive.

How to dual qualify with CLC

The CLC route to qualification offers a clear and easy pathway to be able to practice in two areas at once.

To start with, you must qualify in either Conveyancing or Probate – the pathway to doing so is to complete both Level 4* and Level 6* qualifications in that area, alongside 1,200 hrs Qualifying Experience in the same area of law.

If, for example, you were to become a Licensed Conveyancer first:

• Once you have successfully become Licensed as a CLC Conveyancer you will be exempt from all of Level 4 and the Level 6 Accounts unit
• You would then need to study just two further Level 6 units relating to Wills / Probate
• 1,200 hrs Qualifying Experience in Probate would also be needed

The above process would be ‘vice versa’ if you wanted to become a Licensed Probate Practitioner first and then a Licensed Conveyancer.

For full guidance on licensing, you can find further details can be found here.

* Exemptions possible for holders of full or partial CILEx L3 and L6, LLB, GDL, BA in Law, LLM, LPC, certain international LLBs, Paralegal qualifications such NALP, IOP, CLT, STEP and some other legal qualifications.

Contact Law Training Centre today and learn more about how you can dual qualify with us!