Are you interested in property law? Does the transaction of property and helping people buy new homes excite you? Then conveyancing may be the perfect career for you. Mixing finance and law, this job is an ever changing and fascinating field that will bring you new challenges every day.

What do conveyancers do?

Conveyancers advise clients on the sale of their property and prepare all documentation. They act for and on the client’s behalf during the transaction. They also conduct required searches with government departments. They attend the exchange of contracts on settlement day. They may also prepare and advise on lease documentation. They are also called property conveyancers and settlement agents.

Licensed Conveyancers are qualified, professional property lawyers who specialise in the legalities surrounding buying and selling property in England and Wales. They are experts because they are specialists. A Licensed Conveyancer will ensure that all documentation, contracts and financial arrangements associated with buying or selling a residential or commercial property or piece of land are in order. They can do everything that a solicitor can do in a conveyancing transaction because they have the same legal authority to act.

What skills should a conveyancer have?

• good organisational skills
• Excellent communication skills
• sound judgement
• basic computer skills
• honesty and integrity
• ability to negotiate
• Impeccable time management skills
• Outstanding interviewing skills
• Reading comprehension and writing clarity skills
• Strong research skills

Requirements:

In order to be a conveyancer or own a conveyancing business, you must have a license.

This requirement does not apply to a legal practitioner, an incorporated legal practice or solicitor corporation.

No license is required to do conveyancing work as an employee of a licensed conveyancer or a legal practitioner. You will need at least 4 GCSE passes at grades A-C (or equivalent) including English Language and Math. You can also apply if you are over 18 and working in the office of a Licensed Conveyancer or Solicitor and there are also mature student options for the over 25’s. If you already have other legal qualifications (from a Law Degree onwards) you may be exempt from part or all the academic requirements.

To be eligible for a license, a person must:

• be at least 18 years old
• be a fit and proper person to hold a license
• hold an appropriate qualification
• not be a disqualified person
• Contribute to the Compensation Fund (paid with the license application fee).

Several universities also offer courses or diplomas on conveyancing. The courses are generally about the following topics or areas:

1. Foundation Legal Knowledge
2. Contracts
3. Vendor and Purchaser 1
4. Revenue Law
5. Vendor and Purchaser 2
6. Professional Skills 1
7. Finance and Security
8. Professional Skills

The courses take about 2 years to complete.

What do conveyancers have to?

• Conduct research and investigations
• Delegate tasks to legal assistants and secretaries
• Handling title searches
• Interview clients regarding legal issues
• Investigating planned developments and potential legal issues associated with a property
• Maintain client records and legal files
• Maintain log of time spent working for each client
• Negotiate all aspects of real estate deals
• Prepare and execute legal documents
• Prepare cases for litigation
• Prepare, examine and advise clients on real estate sales contracts and mortgage contracts
• Take statements from clients

There are also other career options available for those who are interested in such occupations. They can also work as legal secretaries for property lawyers. Moreover, they can also choose to become legal clerks or even work at a real estate agents office. Conveyancers and Legal Executives work in comfortable offices, legal research libraries, government offices and courtrooms. They have a high job security and they enjoy their jobs. However it can also be a stressful job, as they have to handle their clients’ queries and fears. On the other hand, it is an ideal job for those who enjoy challenges and interacting with people on a daily basis.