Understanding the differences between a conveyancer and a solicitor is crucial when navigating the legal process of buying or selling a home. Enlisting the assistance of a legal professional is essential to protect your interests and ensure a successful transaction.
This blog post delves into the roles, expertise and costs associated with each professional to help you make an informed decision.
What is a conveyancer?
What is a conveyancer?
Anyone can be a conveyancer, but Licensed Conveyancers are property lawyers who specialise in property law and are regulated by The Council for Licensed Conveyancers.
They tend to have more specialised experience than solicitors and can guide you through the buying and selling process, making sure all legal details are handled carefully to avoid mistakes and delays.
What is a solicitor?
What is a solicitor?
Solicitors are qualified lawyers regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Any solicitor who has completed a seat in a conveyancing department can act as a property solicitor.
Whilst solicitors are well versed in property sales, they are also knowledgeable in most other areas of the law as well. However, they may not be as specialised in property law as a licensed conveyancer.
Choosing a conveyancer vs solicitor
Choosing a conveyancer vs solicitor
Here are some of the key factors to consider when deciding on a property law professional…
Expertise
Expertise
Conveyancer
As specialists in property law, conveyancers can provide streamlined and efficient solutions specifically tailored to property transactions. Their focused training and in-depth knowledge of property transactions and property conveyancing law makes them the ideal choice for typical property sales and purchases.
Solicitors
Solicitors have a broader scope of practice and handle various legal matters beyond legal conveyancing services. While they can certainly assist with property transactions and may even be a better choice if you have other legal matters to attend to simultaneously, their attention may be divided among different areas of law, potentially affecting their level of expertise and efficiency in the conveyancing process. For instance, they may be unavailable during certain hours of the day or they may have less experience in property matters than some conveyancers.
Type of transaction
As we touched on in the previous point, the type of transaction you’re dealing with can impact what you require from a legal professional.
For example, if you’re dealing with a particularly difficult transaction, such as a boundary dispute or if the other party are going through a divorce, a solicitor may be able to better handle all aspects of the buying or selling process in this instance.
In most cases though, a conveyancer is all you need for less complicated property transactions.
Price
Conveyancers
A licensed conveyancer may offer more cost-effective services compared to solicitors.
Conveyancers focus solely on conveyancing, often resulting in lower fees and a fast conveyancing service.
Solicitors
Solicitors may have higher hourly rates or fixed fees that reflect their wider range of services and broader legal expertise. As a result, their conveyancing legal fees may not be as competitive as those offered by licensed conveyancers, especially for straightforward property sales.
Final thoughts
When deciding between a conveyancer and a solicitor, consider your specific needs and the complexity of your property transaction. For most residential property transactions, a conveyancer will be the most efficient choice and will likely also cost the least. A good conveyancer will also be able to refer to the appropriate solicitor if a complex issue comes up during your property transaction. So generally it is best to speak to a conveyancer first and only seek more robust advice if it is needed.
Here at Dezrezlegal, we provide buyers and sellers with top-notch, hassle-free conveyancing services tailored to your property needs. Contact us today to start your property journey with confidence!
