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Residential conveyancing opportunities? No-one delivers like BCL

If you’re interested in working in property law, you’re in the right place — because only BCL offer a specialist service in the conveyancing market. Our consultants have wide-ranging experience in this area. Opportunities come not only from solicitors or licensed conveyancing centres, but also financial institutions through mortgage lending, local authorities, property developers and panel management companies. 

What sort of work can I expect?

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property or piece of land. It’s carried out by specialist property lawyers who deal with all the contractual paperwork and financial dealings, whether it’s residential or commercial property, plot sales and residential development, sales repossession or mortgage-related.

Will it suit me?

There are opportunities at all levels, from entry level law graduates, secretarial and support staff to fee earners and fully qualified solicitors and licensed conveyancers. Qualifications are not essential, so you’ll find both qualified and non-qualified fee earners having responsibility for a personal caseload – conveyancing offers the chance for rapid career progression too, as shown below. As you gain experience other career paths open up, including training and development, client relationship management, and at team leader / management level.

Training and qualifications

Specialist property lawyers will generally choose to qualify either as a Solicitor, Legal Executive or Licensed Conveyancer.

Licensed Conveyancers have to complete a course with the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), the regulatory body in England and Wales. Entry requirements are four GCSEs including English to Grade C or above, although ILEX Students and law graduates who apply may be exempt from certain academic elements of the course.

On completion of academic exams and two years’ practical training under the supervision of a licensed conveyancer you’ll be awarded your first licence, allowing you to practice property law. This is known as a ‘limited’ or ‘employed’ licence, but after three years of qualifying employment you can apply for a full licence. This allows you to become a partner within practice or set up your own business.

The Licensed Conveyancing Certificate is highly regarded within property law, having equal status to that of a solicitor – in fact, solicitors can cross-qualify through an interview with the Council of Licensed Conveyancers. At present, you can’t be a Partner or Director without a solicitor or licensed conveyancing qualification, so the CLC Course is an excellent way to progress your career. To find out more, visit www.clc-uk.org.