When buying or selling a property in England, you’ll need professional legal help to manage the conveyancing process. But should you use a solicitor or a conveyancer? And what’s the actual difference between them? The good news is that both are qualified professionals — but understanding the distinction can help you make the right choice.
What’s the difference?
On the surface, solicitors and conveyancers do very similar work. Both are qualified to handle property transfers, manage contracts, conduct searches, and coordinate with buyers, sellers, and mortgage lenders. However, there’s an important distinction in their training and qualifications.
A qualified conveyancer is a specialist in property law who has completed dedicated conveyancing training and qualification. They focus exclusively on property transactions and are experts in their field. A solicitor, by contrast, is a legally trained professional who has studied the entire breadth of law and can practise across many areas — conveyancing is just one of their specialisms.
Regulation: the crucial difference
The key distinction for you as a client lies in their professional regulation.
Solicitors
Solicitors in England are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). The SRA sets rigorous standards for professional conduct, client protection, and complaints handling. Solicitors must maintain professional indemnity insurance and follow strict codes of practice.
Conveyancers
Qualified conveyancers are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). Like the SRA, the CLC requires professional indemnity insurance and maintains standards for conduct and client care. However, the SRA’s regulatory framework is broader and typically more comprehensive, covering a wider range of scenarios.
Does it matter which one you choose?
Both solicitors and CLC-regulated conveyancers are bound by strict professional standards and client protections. If something goes wrong, both are covered by professional indemnity insurance. Both must follow codes of conduct and are subject to complaints procedures.
The main practical benefit of using a solicitor is the broader regulatory oversight from the SRA. Solicitors can also offer additional services beyond conveyancing — for example, advice on wills, probate, or other legal matters alongside your property purchase. A specialist conveyancer, meanwhile, will be highly experienced specifically in property transactions.
In practice, many property buyers and sellers work with either without issue. The most important factors are choosing someone experienced, responsive, and transparent about fees. However, if you want the additional assurance that comes with SRA regulation and the potential for broader legal support, a solicitor may offer greater peace of mind.
At Ethical Conveyancing we only work with experienced, fully qualified property solicitors — giving you the peace of mind that your file is in safe, properly regulated hands.