What is a Property Lawyer?...
Here are some of the formal, technical details!
"Property Lawyer" is the term applied to a person who specialises, and is qualified to practise, in property law. A property lawyer may carry out online conveyancing services via the Internet, offer traditional offline property conveyancing services or, as is the case with MovingAhead provide their clients with a combination.
Licensed Conveyancers are regulated by The Council for Licensed Conveyancers, and are one of the very few professions legally authorised to carry out property transactions in England and Wales. The Council is a statutory body, which derives its powers from The Administration of Justice Act 1985.
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers website address is: http://www.conveyancer.org.uk
In order to be able to practise as a Licensed Conveyancer it is necessary not only to qualify by passing the Council examinations, but also to demonstrate considerable practical experience. To retain a licence, it is necessary to undertake regular training and development courses throughout the year.
Limited licence holders are authorised to provide property conveyancing services only as employees.
In order to enter into private practice as a proprietor or partner, a full licence is required. Full licences are only granted to those able to demonstrate further practical experience, and show that they are fully competent to run a business. They must also be able to prove that they are fit and proper people and able to be trusted with the handling of large sums of clients' money on a day-to-day basis.
As of early 2005, there are approximately 285 full licence holders. By contrast there are approximately 74,000 general solicitors currently practising in England and Wales.
Only a relatively small minority of those involved in property conveyancing currently offer online conveyancing services.
So, now you know!