Whilst a Solicitor is a general legal practitioner, a Licensed Conveyancer is a specialist lawyer who concentrates on dealing with property. As such, you may find that licensed conveyancers' fees are more competitive when compared with those of some solicitors.

Licensed Conveyancers are widely recognised by financial institutions such as banks and building societies.

Licensed Conveyancers must have professional indemnity insurance and obey all the rules of the profession, such as sending you a written estimate right at the start of a transaction.

Although most conveyancing transactions run relatively smoothly, problems can sometimes arise with, for example, rights of way, boundary ownership and planning matters, all of which require expert attention.

The profession of licensed conveyancers effectively started in May 1987, when the first licences were issued. It was born out of the Administration of Justice Act 1985 which allows conveyancing services, which had previously been the sole preserve of solicitors, to be provided by licensed conveyancers.

Licensed conveyancers are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. In establishing the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, the 1985 Act lays upon it the duty:

"To ensure that the standards of competence and professional conduct among persons who practise as licensed conveyancers are sufficient to secure adequate protection for consumers, and that the conveyancing services provided by such persons are provided both economically and efficiently".

It also accords specifically to a licensed conveyancer the same professional privileges as those of a solicitor in relation to a client and specifies, in many instances, that reference to a "solicitor" shall be construed as including a reference to a licensed conveyancer. Thus a licensed conveyancer, when qualified and issued with a licence, is authorised by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers to practise and is by definition a Specialist Property Lawyer.

Transferring the ownership of a house, flat or piece of land from one person to another is known as conveyancing. Legally, anyone can do it for themselves, if they have the necessary time, knowledge and confidence. However, most people prefer to employ a professional.