Conveyancer Vs Solicitor: What Are The Major Differences?

When selling or purchasing a new home, you’ll need a legal representative to handle the exchange of land title and all relevant legal processes attached to this process. You’ll often hear a lot of people wondering if they need a conveyancer or solicitor to handle this process. Put simply, there isn’t a right or wrong answer. Overall, this brief article will run through the significant differences between conveyancing and lawyering, and where the overlaps occur.

Both know the law

Both conveyancers and solicitors understand the laws related to conveyancing work. The main difference, however, is a solicitor must have a law degree, whereas an individual that specialized in conveyancing doesn’t necessarily require a law degree as a qualification. While most conveyancers are trained solicitors, many don’t have law degrees because they aren’t essential.

Who is cheaper?

Generally, a conveyancer will be cheaper than a solicitor. So, if you’re operating on a rather strict budget, your best bet is to go with a local conveyancer who you trust and respect. You should be mindful, however, that you may not receive the same level of commitment and attention since your average conveyancer will be working across many different sales. While a solicitor will charge more, there is a professional expectation that they will take on fewer cases to ensure that you receive the quality of service you deserve.

Wider knowledge

While conveyancers specialize in laws relating to contracts and the exchange of legal title, there’s no question that lawyers have a more comprehensive understanding of the legal system. As a result, if you believe your specific matter might be a little more convoluted than others, it might be worth hiring a solicitor as opposed to a conveyancer. This way you’ll receive the quality of service you need.

Conclusion

In summation, there are some small differences between conveyancers and solicitors. While both can provide excellent services, conveyancers aren’t legally required to have law degrees (unless they choose to practice law in other areas). In contrast, a solicitor must possess a tertiary qualification (a Bachelor of Laws or a Juris Doctor).