T
here are two types of legal professional who are authorized to provide help while buying or selling a property. While they may sound like the two branches of the same tree, they are significantly different in terms of skills, regulations and the kind of services they are capable of providing.
Definition & Specialization
By definition, a licensed conveyancer is someone who is a trained only in the processes of conveyance. A conveyancing solicitor is mainly a solicitor with a specialization in property law and other property-related legal work.
Regulatory Board
The two professions are so different that they are regulated by two different organizations. Conveyancing solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). They also need to comply with the Law Society. Licensed conveyancers are regulated by the Council of Conveyancers (CLC).
Act on Both Sides
Technically, a licensed conveyancer can work for both the parties involved in a transaction, which can create a significant conflict of interest. Nevertheless, this problem can be solved by hiring two different licensed conveyancers for the buyer and the seller.
A conveyancing solicitor, on the other hand, is barred from representing both sides without informing the people involved. Doing so may cause the removal of their license to practice.
Who Should You Choose?
Both conveyancing solicitors and licensed conveyancers have their unique advantages. A licensed conveyancer can be more experienced as they do the same job their whole career. On the other hand, a solicitor can provide legal support in case of a complicated deal or any other court related matter. However, hiring a conveyancing solicitor is usually more expensive.
