Solicitor vs conveyancer: who handles the legal work?

When you buy a home, you will need someone to handle the legal side of the purchase.

This is usually done by either a solicitor or a licensed conveyancer. Both can help with the conveyancing process, but there are some differences in their qualifications, scope of work, and the type of support they may provide.

For buyers, the most important point is that the person you choose should be qualified, experienced, and able to deal with the type of property purchase you are making.

What a solicitor does

A solicitor is a qualified legal professional who can advise on a wide range of legal matters, including property purchases.

When acting on a home purchase, a solicitor can handle the conveyancing process, review the contract, check the legal title, raise enquiries, deal with the mortgage lender, and help move the purchase towards exchange and completion.

Because solicitors are trained across wider areas of law, they may be particularly useful where the purchase involves more complex legal issues.

What a conveyancer does

A licensed conveyancer is a legal professional who specialises in property transactions.

Their role is focused on the legal work involved in buying, selling, or transferring property. That includes reviewing documents, ordering searches, raising enquiries, dealing with contracts, and helping the transaction reach completion.

For many standard property purchases, a licensed conveyancer can provide the legal support needed to move the purchase forward.

The main difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer

The main difference is the scope of their legal work.

A solicitor can usually advise across a wider range of legal issues, while a licensed conveyancer focuses specifically on property transactions.

In practice, both can often handle a straightforward home purchase. However, if your transaction is more complex, such as a leasehold property, unusual title issue, shared ownership purchase, or wider legal concern, you may want to check whether the person handling your case has the right experience.

What they both usually handle

Whether you use a solicitor or a conveyancer, the core conveyancing work is often similar.

That may include:

• opening the legal file
• checking your identity and source of funds
• reviewing the draft contract
• ordering and reviewing searches
• checking the property title
• raising enquiries with the seller’s solicitor
• reviewing the mortgage offer
• preparing for exchange of contracts
• completing the purchase

The key is not only the job title, but whether they are experienced, responsive, and able to manage the type of purchase you are making.

When a solicitor may be more suitable

A solicitor may be more suitable where the legal side of the purchase is more complex.

That could include situations where:

• the property is leasehold and the lease needs detailed review
• there are unusual title issues
• there are ownership or trust arrangements to consider
• the purchase is linked to another legal matter
• you need wider legal advice beyond the property transaction

This does not mean every buyer needs a solicitor rather than a conveyancer. It simply means complexity should guide the choice.

When a conveyancer may be suitable

A licensed conveyancer may be suitable where the purchase is more straightforward, and the legal work is mainly focused on the property transaction itself.

This can work well for many standard residential purchases, provided the conveyancer is experienced, regulated, and able to manage the case properly.

For buyers, the most important thing is not choosing based on title alone, but making sure the legal representative is suitable for the property and the transaction.

Choosing between a solicitor and conveyancer

A buyer has an offer accepted on a standard freehold property.

They choose a licensed conveyancer to handle the legal work. The conveyancer checks the title, orders searches, raises enquiries, reviews the mortgage offer, and prepares the buyer for exchange and completion.

In another case, a buyer is purchasing a more complex leasehold property with additional legal questions. They may decide to use a solicitor with experience in leasehold and wider property law.

Both routes can be appropriate. The right choice depends on the purchase.

What buyers often misunderstand

One common misunderstanding is thinking that a solicitor is always better than a conveyancer.

That is not always the case.

For many straightforward purchases, a good licensed conveyancer can be a strong choice. Equally, for more complex purchases, a solicitor may offer broader legal expertise.

Another misunderstanding is focusing only on price. Cost matters, but the cheapest option is not always the best if the case needs experience, responsiveness, or specialist knowledge.

What happens next

Once you choose a solicitor or conveyancer, they can open your file and begin the legal work.

They will usually ask for identification, source of funds information, and details about the property purchase. They will then begin reviewing documents, ordering searches, and communicating with the seller’s solicitor.

From there, the legal process moves towards exchange of contracts and, eventually, completion.

Choosing the right legal support

A solicitor and a conveyancer can both help with the legal side of buying a home.

The right choice depends on the type of property, the complexity of the purchase, and the level of legal support you need. For many buyers, the key is choosing someone qualified, experienced, and responsive enough to keep the process moving.

Once the legal representative is in place, the conveyancing process can begin properly.