Solicitor vs Conveyancer
What's the difference between a Conveyancer and Solicitor for conveyancing?
Who's better? Who charges more? Want to find out which one you should use and save yourself some time and possibly money? Read on..
First let us define Conveyancing:
Conveyancing is legal work carried out during the process of transferring ownership of property from one party to another.
So what's the difference between a Solicitor & Conveyancer for Conveyancing?
Conveyancers and Solicitors are equally qualified to undertake conveyancing work.
There are a few uncommon things that the Conveyancers Licensing Act does not consider "conveyancing work" and in such cases you will need a solicitor or an accountant:-
Conveyancing work does not include the carrying out of any work for the purpose of:
(a) a mortgage on non-residential property where the amount secured by the mortgage exceeds 7 million dollars (with non-residential property being any property that is not residential property for the purposes of Division 8 of Part 4 of the Conveyancing Act 1919 ), or
(b) commencing or maintaining legal proceedings, or
(c) establishing a corporation or varying the memorandum or articles of association of a corporation, or
(d) creating, varying or extinguishing a trust, or
(e) preparing a testamentary instrument, or
(f) giving investment or financial advice, or(g) investing money, except as required to complete a conveyance in accordance with Division 2 of Part 5 of the Act
Who Charges More?
Traditionally Solicitors charged more for conveyancing. However with the increase in the number of skilled Licensed Conveyancers, Solicitors' conveyancing fees have become more competitive and in some cases on par or cheaper than Licensed Conveyancers. Some well known and low cost conveyancing only law firms claim to have Solicitors working on your file, but be aware that it may be a paralegal doing the work.So who charges more... We think Solicitors do but there's only one way for you to find out, call or email a few Conveyancers or Solicitors and ask for a quote.
So Who's Better?
Like in all industries there are great Solicitors and terrible Solicitors, there are also great Licensed Conveyancers and some bad ones too. In the past I personally have worked for Solicitors and Licensed Conveyancers and in my experience I have found the procedures and practices to be almost identical. In some instances, although the business was operated by a Solicitor, the Licensed Conveyancer did all of the conveyancing work.Yes, but who's better. The Licensed Conveyancer or Solicitor who treats your sale or purchase like it is their own, is available to take your call or answer your email, replies promptly and wants to make the process as smooth and easy, that's the best one
OUR TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING A LICENSED CONVEYANCER OR A SOLICITOR
Call the Conveyancing Business or Legal Practice and ask to speak to the person who does the conveyancing. You will soon see if you get the run around.
Good sign - You get to speak to the Licensed Conveyancer or Solicitor straight away
Bad sign - You don't get to speak to the Licensed Conveyancer or Solicitor
Ask questions
Good Sign - You get clear answers to your questions, the person speaking to you is calm and puts you at ease
Bad Sign - You can't speak to the Solicitor or Conveyancer
Get a written quote
Good Sign - The quote is clear and concise and outlines all costs involved
Bad Sign - The quote is ambigous, unclear or you don't get a quote