Solicitor vs Licensed Conveyancer: Which Should You Use?
Both are properly regulated and both can handle your purchase. The difference matters in specific circumstances, and much less often than you might think.
The Short Version
- Both are regulated professionals with indemnity insurance and compensation scheme access
- Solicitors train across all law; licensed conveyancers specialise in property
- For a straightforward purchase, there is little practical difference
- A solicitor helps where probate, divorce, trusts or disputes are involved
- Licensed conveyancers exist in England and Wales only, not in Scotland
- Lender panel membership, relevant experience and responsiveness matter more than either
Two different qualifications
A solicitor qualifies through a law degree or conversion course, professional training and a period of supervised practice, covering the whole breadth of law before specialising. They are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in England and Wales, or the Law Society of Scotland north of the border.
A licensed conveyancer is a property law specialist regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. The qualification is focused specifically on conveyancing and probate rather than general law. Licensed conveyancers exist in England and Wales only: there is no Scottish equivalent.
Both are properly regulated, both must hold professional indemnity insurance, and both give you access to a compensation scheme if something goes seriously wrong. Neither is a lesser option.
Where the difference shows
For a straightforward freehold purchase with no complications, there is very little practical difference. A competent licensed conveyancer will do the job as well as a competent solicitor, sometimes faster and often cheaper.
The distinction becomes relevant when a transaction stops being purely a conveyance:
- A probate complication. The seller has died and the estate is not yet resolved.
- A matrimonial dimension. The sale is part of a divorce settlement, or a transfer of equity follows a separation.
- A boundary or neighbour dispute. Something that may need litigation rather than negotiation.
- A trust or company structure. The property is being bought or sold through an entity rather than by individuals.
- A leasehold problem needing enfranchisement. A short lease requiring statutory extension, or a collective freehold purchase.
In these situations a full-service firm can handle the adjacent matter in-house. A conveyancing-only practice will need to refer you elsewhere, which costs time and usually money.
What actually matters more
In practice, the solicitor-versus-conveyancer question is less important than three others:
Is the firm on your lender's panel?
If not, your lender instructs its own firm at your expense, and every step needs an extra handoff. Confirm this before instructing, not after.
Do they handle your transaction type regularly?
Shared ownership, Right to Buy, new build, leasehold with a short term, crofting land in the Highlands, Tyneside flats in Newcastle: each has quirks. Ask how many they have done recently.
How quickly do they reply?
This is the single strongest predictor of a smooth transaction, and it is what independent reviews reveal most reliably. Look for reviews mentioning prompt responses and proactive updates rather than headline ratings alone.
A note on volume operations
Both solicitors and licensed conveyancers operate volume models, where files are handled largely by unqualified case handlers under supervision. This is not inherently bad, the processes are well established and most transactions are routine, but it changes who you deal with day to day.
Some firms make a point of the alternative. Versus Law in Manchester, for instance, states that a fully qualified solicitor handles each matter from start to finish with no hand-off to junior staff. Bird & Co emphasises that clients work with qualified solicitors rather than licensed conveyancers. Whether that premium is worth paying depends on how complicated your transaction is likely to be.
Whichever model you choose, ask one question at the outset: who will be handling my file day to day, and how do I reach them directly?
How to check either is properly regulated
- Solicitors in England and Wales: search the SRA's public register of regulated firms and individuals
- Solicitors in Scotland: search the Law Society of Scotland's find-a-solicitor register
- Licensed conveyancers: search the CLC's register of licensed practices
All three are free, take under a minute, and are worth doing before you send anyone money.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a solicitor better than a licensed conveyancer?
Not inherently. Both are regulated professionals with mandatory indemnity insurance and access to compensation schemes. Licensed conveyancers specialise in property law; solicitors train across the full breadth of law. For a straightforward transaction there is little practical difference. A solicitor has the advantage where a transaction touches on probate, family law, trusts or litigation.
Are licensed conveyancers cheaper than solicitors?
Often, though not always. Licensed conveyancing practices tend to be structured around efficient handling of high volumes of standard transactions, which can produce lower fees. Compare fully itemised quotes rather than headline figures, since what is included varies considerably between firms of either type.
Do licensed conveyancers operate in Scotland?
No. Licensed conveyancers are a feature of England and Wales, regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. Scottish conveyancing must be carried out by a solicitor qualified in Scots law and regulated by the Law Society of Scotland.
Will my mortgage lender accept a licensed conveyancer?
Usually, but not universally. Lenders maintain approved panels and the criteria vary. Some panels are more restrictive about firm type or size. Always confirm directly with your lender or the firm that they are on the panel for your specific mortgage product before instructing.
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