How to Become a Licensed Conveyancer
The Role
Licensed Conveyancers, or Property Lawyers, deal with the paperwork and legal work involved in buying and selling business and commercial properties. Licensed Conveyancer Jobs can include:
* advising clients of costs, such as stamp duty, and legal fees
* conducting ‘searches’- asking local authorities for details of any plans that might affect the property in the future, drafting contracts giving details of all the aspects of the sale
* liaising with mortgage lenders to make sure they have all the relevant information
* paying taxes such as stamp duty and keeping records of payments made * checking that contracts are signed and exchanged.
Skills and Interests
If you are looking for a Licensed Conveyancer job you should:
* have good spoken and written communication skills
* be able to explain the technicalities of conveyancing to clients
* be meticulous and able to problem solve
* be interested in property law
* be numerate and able to make financial calculations
* be able to work under pressure.
A mix of these skills would provide a solid foundation for anyone looking for jobs or work as a Licensed Conveyancer.
Qualifications
England and Wales - In order to get a job as a licensed conveyancer in England and Wales you must pass The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) training and examinations.
The minimum entry requirements are four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), including English, or equivalent. However, many people entering this career have more than the minimum qualifications, eg ILEX or law degrees.
Scotland - To become a qualified conveyancer in Scotland you must complete the following, which is the same as the solicitor qualification process:
* a degree in law from a Scottish university or the Law Society of Scotland professional examinations
* a diploma in legal practice from a Scottish university or approved institution
* a training contract secured with a solicitor or independent qualified conveyancer. Contact the Law Society of Scotland for more details about qualifying.
According to the Director of Education & Licensing at the Council for Licensed Conveyancers - there are currently no Licenced Conveyancers in Scotland
Career Development
England and Wales
Training to become a Licensed Conveyancer requires that you work in full-time (or part-time over an extended period), relevant, conveyancing employment whilst studying part-time at college, or through the CLC distance learning course.
In order to achieve your first licence you need:
* to have spent a minimum of two years in practical training with a “qualified employer”
* to have passed the CLC examinations.
The CLC examinations are in two parts: Foundation comprises three assignment subjects -
* Introduction to Licensed Conveyancing
* Introduction to Law and Legal Method,
* Conveyancing Practice and Procedure, plus two examination subjects - Land Law, and the Law of Contract.
The finals comprise three examination subjects - Conveyancing Law and Practice; Landlord and Tenant, and Accounts, plus a book-keeping assignment.
You need to have completed this training before looking for work or a job as a Licensed Conveyancer
Scotland
To become qualified you are required to find relevant employment under a training contract with a solicitor, or independent qualified conveyancer, and prove to the Law Society of Scotland that your training covered all aspects of conveyancing services. The training period is between one and two years long.
FURTHER INFORMATION, can be gained from:
Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC)
16 Glebe Road
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1QG
Tel: 01245 349599
CLC Website
or:
Learn Direct Advice
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