CLC introduces a fast experience route to tackle the shortage of authorised conveyancing professional
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has introduced an accelerated pathway to qualification for fee earners with at least 4 years of experience in conveyancing or probate. The initiative allows eligible candidates to use professional experience to progress without first completing the Level 4 diploma, moving directly to the Level 6 qualification required to practise as a licensed conveyancer or probate practitioner.
To qualify for the new route, candidates must be employed in a recognised law or accountancy firm in England or Wales, have a minimum of 4 continuous years working as a conveyancing or probate fee earner, be supervised by an authorised person and meet the competency standards described in the CLC statement of occupational experience. Applicants must also provide a letter of support from their employer confirming their duties and level of responsibility.
The CLC said the new route offers an effective means of addressing the shortage of authorised individuals in conveyancing and probate. Employers have reported increasing difficulty in maintaining appropriate staffing levels, particularly as transaction volumes fluctuate and consumer expectations grow.
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Claire Richardson, the director of authorisations at the CLC, said the new route could support individuals who may have paused their careers or who find the prospect of returning to formal study daunting. She said the approach reflects the CLC objective of ensuring qualifications remain inclusive and accessible while maintaining high professional standards.
Simon Law, chair of the Society of Licensed Conveyancers, said the change represented an important development for the profession. He said it would help ensure that conveyancing remains an appealing career path and would support firms facing sustained recruitment challenges.
Alongside the new qualification route, the CLC released findings from its quarterly confidence tracker. Confidence in the housing market has fallen to its lowest point this year, with 75 percent of property professionals reporting that clients are delaying moves while awaiting the outcome of the forthcoming Budget. Only 42 percent of respondents expressed confidence in current market stability, a decrease from 64 percent in the previous quarter.
Survey results also indicated ongoing concerns about the efficiency of the conveyancing process. Only 14 percent believed that speed and efficiency were improving, while 62 percent expressed a lack of confidence in the current process. Most respondents reported an average wait time of 3 to 4 months between an accepted offer and completion. A further 16 percent said transactions were taking 5 months or longer.
The CLC has also published its first set of artificial intelligence and technology principles with supporting guidance. These non-mandatory principles outline expectations for the responsible use of technology in conveyancing. They include expectations around explainability, requiring firms to understand how technology produces outputs and to provide clear explanations to clients when requested.
The principles stress the need for human oversight and meaningful control of technology-supported decisions, along with routine monitoring of risks relating to unfair or biased outcomes.