Conveyancer or solicitor? What's the difference?
Both can handle a property transaction, but they're regulated differently and offer different levels of service. Here's what it means for you.
Licensed conveyancers are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). They specialise exclusively in property law. Their training is focused. If all you need is a property transaction, a licensed conveyancer is perfectly qualified.
Solicitors who do conveyancing are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Solicitors are trained across all areas of law, so they bring broader legal expertise. If your transaction has any complications (a deceased owner, a complex trust, a litigation issue), a solicitor is usually better placed to advise.
Licensed conveyancers vs solicitors: the practical differences.
- •Regulation: CLC vs SRA (both are reputable, both require insurance and a compensation fund).
- •Scope: Conveyancers = property only. Solicitors = property + broader legal issues.
- •Fees: Typically similar. What matters is whether the fee is genuinely fixed or subject to extras.
- •"Solicitor" as a title: Only someone qualified as a solicitor can use it. "Conveyancer" is the broader term covering both.
At The Home Panel, conveyancing is handled by SRA-regulated solicitors. It's a deliberate choice. We want the broader legal training available when something unexpected comes up on your transaction.
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