What is a Licensed Conveyancer?
Licensed Conveyancer or Solicitor?
When buying or selling property people know they need the services of a lawyer. Until 1987 they could only use a solicitor to deal with their property sales and purchases.
However, in 1987 Parliament brought to an end the solicitors’ monopoly of professional conveyancing services in England and Wales.
More and more people are discovering that they now have a choice, and that an alternative type of lawyer- a specialist in property law- now exists to help them.
This new property lawyer is called a Licensed Conveyancer.
In creating this profession Parliament took care to ensure that Licensed Conveyancers would be qualified both by examination and by years of practical experience, to produce the specialised service that the public require.
Consumers now have the freedom of choice, in virtually all property transactions, to use a Licensed Conveyancer instead of a solicitor.
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The Licensed Conveyancer
In order to qualify as a Licensed Conveyancer it is necessary to have extensive practical experience of conveyancing, a specialised and sometimes complex area of law. The average Licensed Conveyancer will have many years’ experience and will have passed qualifying examinations of above law degree standard. In addition to proven academic ability, Licensed Conveyancers must have relevant administrative and communication skills.
The legislation that created Licensed Conveyancers places a duty upon them to provide clients with conveyancing services that are both efficient and economic. This does not mean that a Licensed Conveyancer will necessarily offer lower fees than other lawyers, as efficient services can seldom be provided for uneconomic fees. However it does mean that by using a Licensed Conveyancer quality of service and value for money may be assured.
Licensed Conveyancers are specialists in property law and, as with all true professionals, they are required to observe strict standards of professional conduct. All Licensed Conveyancers are governed by the rules of professional conduct laid down by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, the statutory body that regulates the profession.
All Licensed Conveyancers offering their services to the public must carry professional indemnity insurance (to protect clients in the event of errors or omissions) and contribute to the profession’s compensation fund, (to protect clients in the event of default). Clients can therefore be confident that, if they use a licensed conveyancer, their financial position is protected at all times.
The Services Available
Licensed Conveyancers can offer the following legal services:
Residential Property
The sale purchase and remortgage of freehold and leasehold houses or flats anywhere in England and Wales, the creation of new leases and tenancies and the transfer of interests in domestic property. Deeds of trust may be recommended for joint purchasers, especially unmarried co-purchasers.
Commercial Property
The sale, purchase and remortgage of freehold and leasehold business premises, anywhere in England and Wales, including dealing with offices and shops, business tenancies and agricultural, building and development land.
Related Services
Licensed Conveyancers can act for a large variety of mortgage lenders and can normally assist purchasers with general mortgage advice. They may well be able to offer guidance in selecting an effective local estate agent. They are frequently able to assist with arrangements for the insurance of residential and commercial buildings and their contents.
Administration of Oaths
All licensed Conveyancers are Commissioners for oaths and are able to administer an oath or affirmation and take an affidavit or declaration. If any document needs to be given under oath a licensed Conveyancer can deal with this for you.
What is the advantage to me?
By having a Licensed Conveyancer act on your behalf you will be able to rely upon an experienced professional who specialises in providing the type of legal services you need and who can offer you advice and support throughout your transaction.
Licensed Conveyancers were created by Parliament to provide the public with an alternative to conveyancing by solicitors. The new profession has proved it can meet the particular needs of the consumer in conveyancing transactions.
So, if you are about to buy, sell or remortgage property, and
If you think you would benefit from having your conveyancing done by a specialist with a statutory duty to act efficiency and economically; and
If you would value the safety and peace of mind that comes from using a qualified professional;
If you would prefer an alternative to employing a solicitor. then you should ask a Licensed Conveyancer to act for you.
Feedback from our clients
We have used this firm a few times now and they have always been very helpful and professional.
”Using Chartahouse I was able to successfully buy and sell a house within a very restricted time constraint. They did everything they possibly could to make the matter smooth and quick. What a wonderful experience. Thank you very much
”Exceptional service, very friendly and very polite people. Highly recommended, from start to finish it took six weeks and we got the keys to our new house. Thank you Gemma, Georgina and the great team.
”Fantastic service, always kept up to date on a daily basis via text, email and Track-a-Matter, and phone calls. Very competitive price and outstanding service, start to finish it took around 6 weeks.
Thank you to Peter and the team
Excellent, fast and efficient service, I could not recommend more! I was a first time buyer and found Nick, & Gemma, extremely knowledgeable and helpful in promptly answering any queries I had regarding the conveyancing process, which took less than 8 weeks start to finish!
”Excellent service from Nicholas and Jay, completed in 7 weeks so very happy, no chain though and no major complications. The Track-A-Matter is brilliant and the regular texts keep you up to date. Can definitely recommend Chartahouse.
”Couldn't have asked for more, the process was quick completed in six weeks which was perfect for us and you were always kept up to date, Kirsty and Simon were amazing and I can't thank them enough.
”Excellent efficient service - I was kept fully updated as to what stage we were at throughout my house sale. Special thanks to Lauren!
”I cannot thank Nick Hawkins and his team at chartahouse enough. Buying a first property can be quite daunting however, they made the whole process feel easy. If I ever needed information there was always someone on the end of the phone who would answer all my questions.
”A Great service with Competitive Pricing.
I have dealt with Chartahouse for many years now and I have no complaints.
With conveyancing they keep you informed and try there best to move thing along in good time.
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