Modern model of learning for licensed conveyancers

The Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has announced a shakeup of legal education for those looking to specialise in conveyancing or probate work.

The property law regulator has entered into a strategic partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) for the delivery of a suite of qualifications, which will enable those who achieve them to be licensed as a CLC lawyer specialising in conveyancing or probate in England and Wales.

CLC and SQA are working on transitional arrangements, which will see the latter develop, assess, and quality assure the qualifications to industry standards. It will allow the CLC to move towards a modern model of learning for its students.

CLC said there will be announcements in early 2016 about the new arrangements and how they will affect students.

Students currently taking the qualifications should continue with them and work towards their exams. The qualifications will continue to be valid under the new arrangements.

Sheila Kumar, CLC's chief executive, said: 'We are delighted to be working with SQA in this exciting partnership that will open new routes to qualifications as a CLC lawyer and help to ensure that the pipeline of qualified conveyancers and probate practitioners continues to grow to meet demand in the market place.'

Kumar said the partnership will bring a much improved student experience through the use of the latest educational tools and approaches developed by a range of providers to give students even greater flexibility such as through the use of distance learning.

'Importantly, the CLC will work with SQA to assure the high standards of these specialist qualifications for which the profession is known. Current students can take comfort that their achievements will all be valid under the new arrangements and they should carry on with their current courses,' she continued.

The SQA's chief executive, Dr Janet Brown, added: '[We are] committed to helping people to realise their potential and to achieve their ambitions by providing a wide range of high quality, recognised qualifications and associated services.

'We work with employers and industry to ensure that SQA qualifications accurately reflect learners' knowledge and skills and provide routes to jobs or further study as well as enable organisations to succeed in meeting a wide range of educational and workforce development challenges.'