Compare the best conveyancing solicitors before you instruct.

A conveyancing solicitor handles all of the legal aspects of buying or selling a property. This includes reviewing and drafting contracts (or missives in Scotland), carrying out property searches, raising and answering enquiries, managing the point at which the deal becomes binding, transferring funds on completion and registering the new ownership with HM Land Registry or Registers of Scotland.

Conveyancing fees in the UK typically range from around £800 to £2,500 or more, depending on the value of the property, the complexity of the transaction and the solicitor you choose. Always request a fully itemised quote to understand the true total cost before instructing a firm. Our guide to conveyancing costs in 2026 breaks this down.

The average conveyancing transaction takes between 10 and 16 weeks from the point of accepting an offer to completion. Leasehold properties and chain transactions often take longer. Choosing a proactive, communicative solicitor is one of the most effective ways to keep things moving.

The CQS is a recognised quality standard awarded by the Law Society of England and Wales to firms demonstrating high standards in residential conveyancing. Firms holding CQS accreditation have undergone an assessment of their processes, risk management and client care procedures. The scheme does not operate in Scotland, where firms are regulated by the Law Society of Scotland.

In most cases, you are not required to use a solicitor based near the property. Much of the conveyancing process is now carried out remotely. However, your solicitor must be qualified in the jurisdiction where the property sits, and quality, communication and fee transparency often matter more than proximity.

Disbursements are third-party costs your solicitor pays on your behalf, including local authority search fees, drainage and water searches, Land Registry or Registers of Scotland fees and bankruptcy searches. They should always be clearly itemised in any quote you receive.

Both are qualified to carry out conveyancing in England and Wales. Solicitors are regulated by the SRA and can advise on a broad range of legal matters. Licensed conveyancers are CLC-regulated specialists focused specifically on property law. In Scotland, conveyancing is carried out by solicitors regulated by the Law Society of Scotland. What matters most is the firm's experience, accreditations and track record.

Standard searches include a local authority search, a drainage and water search, and an environmental search. Additional searches may be required depending on the location or nature of the property, such as a mining search or a chancel repair liability search. In Scotland, the equivalent checks include property enquiry certificates and searches in the property and personal registers.

In most circumstances, it is inadvisable. Professional conduct rules on conflicts of interest, set by the SRA in England and Wales and by the Law Society of Scotland, generally prevent a single firm from acting for both buyer and seller. Each party should instruct their own independent conveyancing solicitor.

Comparison services like Best Conveyancing Solicitors can be a useful starting point. We only profile firms regulated by the SRA, the CLC or the Law Society of Scotland, and provide factual, researched information to help you make an informed decision. We do not select a solicitor for you.