Cost of Property Conveyancing
across the UK

# Property Conveyancing Accreditation

Property conveyancing in the UK is regulated primarily through professional bodies and statutory frameworks rather than a single unified scheme. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) oversees solicitors and their conveyancing practices, setting strict standards for competence, conduct and client protection. The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) regulates licensed conveyancers—professionals who have undergone specialist training and hold a specific licence to carry out conveyancing work independently. Both bodies require members to maintain professional indemnity insurance and comply with detailed codes of conduct. Additionally, the Law Society represents solicitors' interests and publishes conveyancing standards, while the Legal Ombudsman provides dispute resolution for consumers. Some conveyancing firms may also hold accreditation from the National Trading Standards or be part of industry initiatives like Conveyancing Quality Standard (CQS), which sets additional benchmarks above the minimum regulatory requirements. Understanding which regulator oversees your provider gives you confidence that they operate under external scrutiny and are bound by consumer protection rules.

Verifying a provider's credentials is straightforward and essential before instructing them with your property transaction. You can check SRA registration by visiting the SRA website's find-a-solicitor tool, which confirms their licence status, insurance and any disciplinary history. For licensed conveyancers, the CLC's register serves the same purpose and is publicly searchable. You should also ask directly for evidence of professional indemnity insurance and confirm the level of cover—typically £3 million is standard for conveyancing. Request references from recent clients if possible, and check whether they belong to any additional schemes such as the CQS mentioned above. It matters because unregulated or inadequately insured conveyancers leave you vulnerable: if errors occur during your transaction, poor professional indemnity cover could