CONVEYANCING
Conveyancer or solicitor? What's the difference?
- 4 min read
- 14 April 2026
Licensed conveyancers
are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). They specialise exclusively in property law. Their training is focused. If all you need is a property transaction, a licensed conveyancer is perfectly qualified.
Solicitors
who do conveyancing are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Solicitors are trained across all areas of law, so they bring broader legal expertise. If your transaction has any complications (a deceased owner, a complex trust, a litigation issue), a solicitor is usually better placed to advise.
Licensed conveyancers vs solicitors: the practical differences
- Regulation: CLC vs SRA (both are reputable, both require insurance and a compensation fund).
- Scope: Conveyancers = property only. Solicitors = property + broader legal issues.
- Fees: Typically similar. What matters is whether the fee is genuinely fixed or subject to extras.
- "Solicitor" as a title: Only someone qualified as a solicitor can use it. "Conveyancer" is the broader term covering both.
At The Home Panel, conveyancing is handled by SRA-regulated solicitors. It's a deliberate choice. We want the broader legal training available when something unexpected comes up on your transaction.
Last reviewed 26 August 2026. This guide describes process rather than quoting rates, so nothing in it depends on a figure that changes at a fiscal event.
