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If you're buying or selling a home, you'll need a legal professional to handle the conveyancing. But should you choose a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer? Both can manage property transactions, but there are key differences in their expertise and services. Conveyancers specialise in property law, while solicitors offer broader legal advice. This guide explains the key differences and how to decide which is right for you.
KEY INFORMATION
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Both solicitors and licensed conveyancers manage the conveyancing process – the legal transfer of property ownership from the seller to the buyer.
| Feature | Solicitor | Licensed Conveyancer |
|---|---|---|
| Legal expertise | Offers full legal services including family law, litigation and more. | Specialises solely in property law. |
| Cost | Usually higher. | Often cheaper. |
| Complex cases | Ideal for complex property cases such as if there are boundary disputes. | Best for straightforward property sales and purchases. |
| Regulation | Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority | Regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers |
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The decision of whether to use a solicitor or a conveyancer depends on your circumstances and personal choice. Here are some factors to consider:
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Yes, you can usually use a licensed conveyancer instead of a solicitor for buying or selling property. Both are qualified to carry out conveyancing and handle tasks such as contracts, searches and registering ownership with the Land Registry. Conveyancers specialise in property transactions, while solicitors can also deal with wider legal issues.
Choosing the right conveyancer or solicitor is crucial for a smooth property transaction. Key factors to consider include:
Find more information in our guide How to choose a conveyancer or solicitor
Conveyancing fees vary depending on the value of your property, where you live, whether you use a solicitor or licensed conveyancer and the complexity of the transaction. For example, solicitor fees when buying house will be cheaper than if you’re buying and selling at the same time. But here are some average costs:
Leasehold conveyancing typically costs around £300 more due to the additional work involved. Whether you want to instruct a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer, the best way to save money is to shop around and compare quotes.
Conveyancers are often cheaper than solicitors because they specialise solely in property transactions, whereas solicitors offer a broader range of legal services.
The best way to get an idea of conveyancing costs is to compare conveyancing quotes:
Get instant quotes from regulated and reviewed conveyancing solicitors that cover your area. Our customers save on average £490.
Hiring a conveyancer isn’t a legal requirement, so you can you do your own conveyancing. But if you’re buying or selling with a mortgage, the lender will almost certainly insist that you instruct a conveyancer.
The conveyancing process is time-consuming and complex and you shouldn’t consider DIY conveyancing if you don’t fully understand all the steps and the risks involved. Find out more in our guide
A conveyancer is a specialist in property law whereas a solicitor is a fully qualified lawyer who can offer full legal services such as divorce proceedings or taking someone to court.
In many cases, conveyancers are cheaper than solicitors because they focus specifically on property law. However, fees vary depending on the firm, the complexity of the transaction and the services included. It’s always worth comparing conveyancing quotes before deciding who to instruct.
While conveyancers are well-equipped to manage standard property transactions, solicitors are often better suited for complex cases involving legal disputes, unusual property arrangements, or additional legal matters beyond conveyancing.
If you’re buying a shared ownership property, you can use a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer to handle the legal side of buying your property.
Both solicitors and licensed conveyancers can handle the legal work involved in buying or selling a home. A conveyancer specialises in property transactions and is often a more cost-effective option for straightforward sales or purchases. A solicitor can deal with a wider range of legal issues, so they may be a better choice if the transaction is complex, such as if there’s a boundary dispute, or involves other legal matters.
Yes, solicitors can carry out conveyancing. Many property solicitors specialise in conveyancing and handle the legal work involved in buying or selling property.
Yes, both conveyancers and solicitors can carry out the legal work involved in buying or selling a property. This includes preparing contracts, carrying out searches, liaising with the other party’s lawyer and completing the legal transfer of ownership. The main difference is that conveyancers specialise in property law, while solicitors can deal with a wider range of legal matters.
Licensed conveyancers are qualified, regulated, specialist property lawyers in England and Wales. They are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. However, they focus solely on property law. By comparison, solicitors are qualified lawyers who can offer full legal services including family law, litigation and more.
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