Some Licensed Conveyancers are also authorised to provide probate services. These are the legal processes for administering the estate of someone who has died.

The preparation of transfers and contracts, leases and other instruments and applying for registration under the Land Registration Act 2002 is a “Reserved Legal Activity” as provided for by the Legal Services Act 2007 and so can only be carried out by a legal professional regulated by an approved regulator in the legal services sector. In short, this means that you must either be qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer or as a Solicitor to carry out this work.

While a legal secretary will often provide a vital role in supporting a Licensed Conveyancer or Solicitor in a conveyancing transaction, as the legal professional the Licensed Conveyancer or Solicitor must be the person to draw up and check the contracts, check the mortgage offers and any settlement statements as well as any other legal documents. They must also analyse and verify the checks that must take place on a property prior to a transfer of ownership.

A Licenced Conveyancer is not a Solicitor, but has received extensive training and development in conveyancing and is in fact solely focused on this particular area of law and is, therefore, a true specialist.

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

Where does a Licensed Conveyancer work?

A Licensed Conveyancer works in the private client industry. Due to the nature of the work undertaken with the same regulatory body, a Licenced Conveyancer traditionally may work in a team alongside Licensed Probate Practitioners. Alternatively, or in addition, a Licensed Conveyancer may work with Solicitors dealing with private client work. A Licensed Conveyancer may also be a sole practitioner and so work for themselves.