Conveyancer vs Solicitor
Anyone for a game of spot the difference? Property solicitors and conveyancers, if you’re in the process of buying property, these are some of the first contact details you’ll be asked for when your offer goes in. But what do these different titles mean? Is there any real difference between them and, more importantly, who should you choose to work with?
Buying and selling a house can be stressful enough without having to spend time deciphering job titles and jargon. Which is why, here at GD Legal, we believe in always offering clear and transparent advice, providing you with access to all the information you need to make informed decisions.
And that starts with understanding the difference between a conveyancer and solicitor. Read on to find out more…
What do property solicitors and conveyancers do?
Put simply, a solicitor or conveyancer is someone who will act on your behalf and deal with all the legal elements of buying and selling property.
They will make sure you meet all your legal obligations and that your rights are protected during the sale. Playing an important role in keeping the process moving on your behalf, they carry out multiple checks and searches with the local council and utility companies to uncover things such as where the sewer line runs, potential flood risks and local building plans. They will also deal with the land registry, transfer funds, check contracts and provide sound legal advice throughout the entire process.
So what’s the difference?
Whether you use a conveyancer or a solicitor their duties remain the same. Both are fully regulated – solicitors practising in England and Wales by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and conveyancers by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
The key distinction between them is the extent of their expertise. Licenced conveyancers specialise in property and this is their sole focus. In comparison, solicitors are fully qualified lawyers. This means they have trained in a variety of legal fields – family law, wills and probate, to name just a few – which can be an advantage.
Does one cost more than the other?
Yes. Typically, a property solicitor can be more expensive than a conveyancer, but there is good reason for this.
Licenced conveyancers only deal with property transactions. A solicitor is a fully qualified lawyer, meaning they can assist with a broad range of legal matters and offer help and advice on all manner of complex legal issues.
At GD Legal we offer a wide range of legal expertise at highly competitive rates. Not only do we provide a free instant quote with no hidden fees, we also promise that if for any reason your sale doesn’t quite go to plan, you won’t be charged a penny.
Other points to consider
The quality of the service you receive is hugely important. Often it’s the little things that matter the most, such as good communication, regular updates and easy access to information.
Working with us, not only will you be assigned your own personal dedicated solicitor from start to finish, you’ll also benefit from our advanced online system, where you can view progress, along with signing and completing documentation.
Why not read our reviews to discover what other people have to say about the work we do?
Get in touch
Want to know more about the team here at GD Legal? We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about the conveyancing process and to discuss in detail the service we can offer you. Contact us today on 0161 7101786 or email info@gdlegal.co.uk.