Conveyancing & Probate Apprenticeships

A Level 4 conveyancing apprenticeship is an entry-level program that provides the practical skills and knowledge needed to work in the conveyancing field. It combines on-the-job training with academic study.

The duration of your apprenticeship can vary depending on the pathway you choose and your existing experience.

• The Stepped Approach: The Legal Technician Apprenticeship (Level 4) typically takes around 24 months to complete. If you then progress to the Licensed Practitioner Apprenticeship (Level 6), this also takes approximately 24 months, making the total duration for this pathway four years.
• The Direct Route: The Direct Licensed Practitioner Apprenticeship combines both levels into a single, comprehensive program, which typically takes a total of four years to complete.

It is important to note that these are general timelines. The actual duration can be shorter based on an initial assessment of any prior learning or conveyancing experience you may have. We conduct this assessment at the start of your apprenticeship to ensure the program is tailored to you, which can reduce the overall time to completion. All apprenticeships, however, have a minimum period of 8 months of off-the-job training.

Yes, you must be employed in a relevant conveyancing or probate role. An apprenticeship is a genuine job with integrated training, not just an academic course. The model requires hands-on, on-the-job experience alongside the training, and your employer plays a vital role by providing this workplace experience, mentoring, and support. The apprenticeship agreement is a partnership between you, your employer, and the training provider.

You cannot begin an apprenticeship without an employer. If you are not currently employed in a suitable role, you must first find a position with a firm that is willing to support your apprenticeship training.

Yes, absolutely. Our apprenticeships are designed to allow you to specialise from the very beginning. We offer two distinct pathways dedicated entirely to probate law:

• Level 4 Probate Technician Apprenticeship: This is the entry-level program. You will learn the foundational legal principles of probate, including wills, succession, estate administration, and the basics of inheritance tax. Upon completion, you will be qualified to work as a Probate Technician.
• Level 6 Licensed Probate Practitioner Apprenticeship: This is an advanced apprenticeship for those who have completed the Level 4 program or have relevant prior qualifications. This program focuses on more complex areas such as estate planning and inheritance law, and culminates in you becoming a Licensed Probate Practitioner, giving you the authority to manage your own caseload and provide independent advice.

By choosing our dedicated probate pathway, you are setting yourself up to become a true specialist in this in-demand field, providing you with a clear and expert-led career path.

Apprenticeship training is a cost-effective way to develop your workforce, with significant government funding available. As an employer, you can access support in a number of ways, depending on your size and the age of the apprentice.

• Apprenticeship Levy Paying Employers: If your annual payroll is over £3 million, you pay a 0.5% Apprenticeship Levy to the government. These funds are held in a digital account and can be used to fully fund 100% of the apprenticeship training costs for your team.
• Non-Levy Paying Employers (with 50 or more employees): The government will cover 95% of the apprenticeship costs, with the employer contributing the remaining 5%. We can help you manage this with our interest-free payment plans if needed.
• Small Employers (with fewer than 50 employees): The government provides even more support for small businesses. If you hire an apprentice who is 16 to 18 years old, the government will cover 100% of the training costs for the apprenticeship.

Additional Financial Incentives:

• £1,000 Incentive Payment: Employers are eligible for a £1,000 payment when they hire an apprentice who is 16 to 18 years old. This payment is also available for apprentices aged 19 to 24 who have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan or are a care leaver.
• Care Leavers' Bursary: A separate £3,000 bursary is available to support apprentices who are care leavers. This payment goes directly to the apprentice in instalments during the first year of their apprenticeship to help remove financial barriers.

Our team can guide you through the funding application process, from setting up a digital account to claiming all eligible payments, ensuring you maximise the support available to your firm.

A Level 4 apprenticeship is a crucial and rewarding first step into the legal profession, providing you with immediate career opportunities and a clear pathway for future advancement.

Upon completing your Level 4 Conveyancing Apprenticeship, you will be a registered Conveyancing Technician, with the skills and knowledge to manage a caseload of standard property transactions and support senior colleagues. This role is in high demand and can be found not just in traditional law firms, but also in local authorities, banks, building societies, and property development companies.

If you specialise in probate, completing your Level 4 Probate Technician Apprenticeship qualifies you to work as a Probate Technician. In this role, you will assist in administering a deceased person's estate, working with executors, beneficiaries, and other professionals like accountants and tax authorities.

Both of these technician roles provide a strong foundation for your career. From here, you can:

• Progress to a Level 6 Apprenticeship: This is the most common next step. You can progress to the Level 6 Licensed Conveyancer or Licensed Probate Practitioner Apprenticeship to become a fully qualified and licensed professional with a higher earning potential and greater autonomy.
• Build Specialised Experience: You can continue to work as a technician, gaining valuable experience and becoming a specialist in a specific area of conveyancing or probate, such as new builds, commercial property, or complex estate administration.
• Pursue Leadership Roles: With experience, a Level 4 qualification can be a springboard to supervisory or team leader roles, where you'll be responsible for mentoring and guiding junior staff.