Licensed conveyancers push for greater recognition and school outreach

The need for greater recognition and respect for the role of licensed conveyancers in the property market was the key focus of a roundtable organised by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). Participants highlighted the profession's complexity, the need for increased public understanding, and efforts to recruit future conveyancers directly from schools, rather than waiting until later in their careers.

The Futures Roundtable, a first-of-its-kind event for the CLC, brought together students working toward becoming licensed conveyancers, those recently qualified, and those responsible for training the next generation. The discussion was united on one key point: the profession needs to raise its profile to attract talent and help consumers better understand the vital role conveyancers play in property transactions.

Natalie Moore, director of Aconveyancing, a Tamworth-based firm, explained: "Being the regulated provider of professional services within the home-buying process, it all falls on us. But clients don't fully grasp what we do, and frankly, they don’t want to. There’s a pressing need for more education and, frankly, more respect for our work."

Shayleigh Isom, a property lawyer at Simply Conveyancing in Daventry, echoed this sentiment, acknowledging that while progress had been made, more awareness was still needed. “People don’t realise that things take time and are often out of our control,” she said. “When the right support from other parties in the transaction is lacking, it becomes overwhelming.”

The roundtable also explored the attractiveness of the licensed conveyancer career, with Kara Evans, currently undertaking a paralegal apprenticeship at Aconveyancing, pointing out the ongoing learning and problem-solving involved in the role. "You’re always learning. There’s always a transaction you haven’t encountered before," she said, highlighting the complexity and depth of the profession.

The CLC’s Deputy Director of Authorisations, Claire Richardson, outlined how raising the profile of licensed conveyancing is a key priority for the organisation. "Schools, colleges, and careers advisors rarely consider property law as a career path for students," she explained. "We’ve been working on changing that by introducing apprenticeships, T-Levels, and other government-funded learning options. The property pathway in the new law T-Level is a key development in helping students explore this career from an earlier age."

Recognising the ongoing shortage of qualified professionals and the importance of conveyancers in supporting house-building targets and broader property sector developments, the roundtable participants agreed that creating a stronger pipeline of licensed conveyancers was critical to meeting future demand.

Vicki Redman, head of training at Swiitch, the conveyancing arm of Shoosmiths, shared insights into the firm’s outreach efforts, which have expanded beyond colleges and universities to engage with schools directly. "We want students to see a career in conveyancing not just as a stepping stone but as a long-term option," she said.

Sheila Kumar, Chief Executive of the CLC, concluded the event by reinforcing the importance of licensed conveyancers in the legal ecosystem. “Becoming a licensed conveyancer is a rewarding career that supports consumers during some of the most important times in their lives,” she said. "It’s essential that we continue to spread the word about this profession’s value. I’m confident that the future of conveyancing is in the hands of those who participated in this roundtable."

The event also touched on other relevant topics, including the impact of artificial intelligence, the flexibility of the qualification process, and the high demand for qualified staff in the sector.