how-to
CLC Find a Lawyer: How to Choose a Conveyancer
Table of Contents
- What Is the CLC and Why It Matters When Choosing a Lawyer
- How to Use the CLC Find a Lawyer Tool: Step by Step
- Conveyancing Fees Explained: What You Are Actually Paying For
- How Long Does Conveyancing Take and What Affects the Timeline
- Questions to Ask a Conveyancer Before You Instruct Them
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 26, 2026
What Is the CLC and Why It Matters When Choosing a Lawyer
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers is the approved regulator for licensed conveyancers in England and Wales. It sets the standards firms must meet, and it publishes a public register you can search before you instruct anyone. If you want to clc find a lawyer you can actually trust, that register is the right place to start.
The CLC's register shows whether a firm holds a current licence, who its licensed conveyancers are, and whether it has any conditions attached to its practice. That last detail matters. A firm can be licensed and still be restricted in what work it takes on.
CLC Licensed Conveyancers vs SRA Solicitors
Both can handle your property transaction, but they are regulated by different bodies. CLC licensed conveyancers are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. SRA solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
In practice, the day-to-day work is similar: searches, title checks, contract review, exchange, completion. The difference is in training and scope.
- Licensed conveyancers specialise in property law from day one.
- Solicitors train broadly and may handle property as one of several areas.
- Both must carry professional indemnity insurance.
- Both can act for you in a standard purchase, sale, or remortgage.
A common mistake is assuming one is automatically better. It is not that simple. What matters is the individual firm's experience with your type of transaction, whether they sit on your lender's panel, and how they communicate.
Some transactions need a solicitor rather than a conveyancer, for example where there is complex probate, a disputed boundary, or litigation attached. A good firm will tell you upfront if your case sits outside their scope.
How to Use the CLC Find a Lawyer Tool: Step by Step
The CLC's online search tool lets you filter firms by name, location, and the type of work they do. It takes a few minutes and gives you a verified shortlist rather than a list of paid ads.
Here is the process we recommend to clients.
- Go to the CLC's official website and open the "Find a Lawyer" or firm search page.
- Search by location first. Enter your town or city to see firms near you.
- Filter by service type. Look for residential conveyancing, remortgage, or transfer of equity as needed.
- Open each firm's register entry. Check the licence status is current.
- Note any conditions. Some firms have restrictions on the work they can accept.
- Check the named conveyancers. The register lists who is licensed at that firm.
- Cross-check the firm's own website. Confirm the services match what you need.
- Shortlist three firms. Then compare fees, timelines, and how they respond to enquiries.
Checking a Firm's Registration and Credentials
Registration is the first filter, not the last. A current licence tells you the firm meets the regulator's minimum standards. It does not tell you whether they will reply to your emails.
So after you check the register, do two more things. First, ask for the name of the person who will actually handle your file. Second, ask how many cases that person manages at once.
The thing nobody tells you about conveyancing is that the firm's brand matters far less than the individual handling your case. A well-known firm with an overloaded case handler will feel worse than a smaller firm with a dedicated one.
You can also check whether a firm is on your mortgage lender's panel. Most lenders publish a panel list, or your broker can confirm it. If the firm is not on the panel, they cannot act for the lender, and your transaction stalls.
Conveyancing Fees Explained: What You Are Actually Paying For
Conveyancing fees are the legal costs charged for handling your property transaction, and they usually split into two parts: the firm's own fee and the disbursements they pay on your behalf.
The firm's fee covers the legal work: reviewing the contract, running searches, checking the title, raising enquiries, and managing exchange and completion. Disbursements are third-party costs, such as Land Registry fees, search fees, and bank transfer charges.
Most quotes you see online are the firm's fee only. That is where the confusion starts.
| Cost Type | What It Covers | Who Sets It |
|---|---|---|
| Legal fee | Contract, title, searches, completion | The firm |
| Search fees | Local authority, water, environmental | The search provider |
| Land Registry fee | Registering your ownership | HM Land Registry |
| Bank transfer fee | Sending funds on completion | The firm or bank |
| Leasehold supplement | Extra work on leasehold titles | The firm |
Two rules keep you safe here. First, ask for a full written quote that lists every disbursement. Second, ask what happens if the transaction falls through.
At UKC Legal, we work on fixed fees with no hidden costs, so the number you are quoted is the number you pay.
How Long Does Conveyancing Take and What Affects the Timeline
Those ranges assume everything runs smoothly. Often it does not.
Here is what actually slows a transaction down:
- Slow searches. Local authority searches can take weeks in busy periods.
- Leasehold queries. Freeholders and managing agents can be slow to respond.
- Chain delays. One slow link holds up everyone behind it.
- Mortgage offer timing. If your offer expires, you may need to reapply.
- Title problems. Missing documents or unregistered land add time.
- Survey issues. A bad survey can reopen price negotiations.
If you are working to a deadline, tell your conveyancer at the start. A good firm will flag risks early rather than let you find out at week six.
Questions to Ask a Conveyancer Before You Instruct Them
Asking the right questions before you instruct separates a smooth transaction from a frustrating one. Here are the ones that matter most.
- Are you on my lender's panel? If not, they cannot act for your mortgage lender.
- Who will handle my file day to day? Get a name, not a team.
- How many cases does that person carry? High numbers mean slower replies.
- What is your full fee, including disbursements and VAT? Compare totals, not headlines.
- What happens if the chain breaks? Ask whether fees stay fixed.
- How often will you update me? Weekly is reasonable. Silence is not.
- What is your typical completion time? Ask for a realistic range, not a best case.
- Are you regulated, and by whom? Confirm CLC or SRA registration.
For anyone searching for a conveyancing solicitor, the market is competitive. That works in your favour, but only if you ask these questions before you sign.
Conclusion
Choosing a conveyancer is a decision most people make once every few years, usually under time pressure, often while juggling a mortgage application and a moving date. The CLC's find a lawyer tool gives you a verified starting point, but the real work is in the questions you ask next.
At UKC Legal, we handle property purchase, property sale, remortgage, and transfer of equity with a dedicated case handler on every file, fixed fees with no hidden costs, and a team of SRA solicitors and CLC licensed conveyancers backed by over 50 years of combined experience. We are on all major mortgage lender panels and serve clients nationwide, including Norwich and the wider region.
Get started with UKC Legal and move through your property transaction with clear updates at every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a CLC licensed conveyancer and a solicitor?
CLC licensed conveyancers are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers and specialise in property law. Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and often handle a broader range of legal work. Both can manage residential conveyancing, and both must carry professional indemnity insurance. When you use the CLC find a lawyer tool, you see firms that meet the CLC's specific standards for property transactions, which can mean a more focused service for buying, selling, or remortgaging.
How do I check if a conveyancer is regulated by the CLC?
The CLC publishes a searchable register of licensed conveyancers and practices on its website. You can search by firm name, individual name, or location. The register confirms whether a conveyancer holds a current licence and whether the practice is authorised to carry out conveyancing work. If a firm claims CLC regulation but does not appear on the register, treat that as a red flag and ask for their licence number before instructing them.
Do I need a local solicitor for my property transaction?
Not necessarily. Conveyancing can be handled remotely, and many firms work with clients across the country. What matters more is whether the firm is on your mortgage lender's panel, communicates clearly, and has capacity to handle your timeline. If you prefer face-to-face meetings or want someone familiar with local property quirks, a nearby firm may suit you better. Otherwise, a CLC-regulated conveyancer anywhere in England or Wales can act for you.
How long does conveyancing take and can I speed it up?
UKC Legal aims for freehold transactions to complete in 4 to 6 weeks, and leasehold in 7 to 10 weeks, though these timelines can be affected by factors such as management pack delays or complex title issues. You can help by returning documents and queries promptly, having your deposit ready, and choosing a conveyancer who assigns a dedicated case handler rather than a shared inbox. Chains, surveys, and lender requirements all affect the timeline, so ask for realistic estimates upfront rather than guarantees.
