Licensed Conveyancer 
or Probate Practitioner -
 Apprenticeship Standard

• K1: principles of legal and regulatory liabilities with regards to the client or clients, and organisation to ensure compliance with all professional obligations.

In practice, this means: As a trainee on a Conveyancing Apprenticeship, you’ll learn to navigate the strict rules set by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). This ensures you protect your clients and your firm from legal and professional risks.

• K2: requirements for acting in the best interest of the client to protect clients and limit liability for negligence such as identifying and acting for vulnerable clients.

In practice, this means: A crucial part of your Licensed Conveyancer apprenticeship is learning to prioritise the client's needs. This includes identifying and helping vulnerable clients to ensure they are protected and the firm's liability is limited.

• K3: principles of anti-money laundering regulations in relation to legal transactions including personal and professional liability.

In practice, this means: The Licensed Conveyancer apprenticeship teaches you how to spot and prevent financial crime. You’ll become responsible for verifying the source of funds and reporting any suspicious activity to prevent money laundering.

• K4: principles of managing client accounts.

In practice, this means: This apprenticeship provides practical experience in handling client funds. You’ll learn to manage a separate client account, ensuring all financial transactions are meticulously recorded and secure.

• K5: approaches to communication to different stakeholders and how to translate complex concepts using plain English to provide clarification and explanation of standard Legal terms.

In practice, this means: Throughout your Conveyancing Apprenticeship, you will develop your ability to communicate complex legal terms in plain English. This is vital for explaining legal concepts to diverse stakeholders, from clients to estate agents.

• K6: approaches to client engagement and conducting Know Your Client activity to establish needs and risks.

In practice, this means: A core component of the Licensed Conveyancer apprenticeship is building trust with clients. You’ll learn to conduct thorough KYC checks to understand their needs and identify any potential risks.

• K7: principles of digital tools and software such as case management systems, databases and online drafting software.

In practice, this means: As part of the Conveyancing Apprenticeship, you will master the use of industry-standard digital tools like case management systems and drafting software, making you efficient and tech-savvy.

• K8: fundamentals of the legal requirements relating to the use of data including risks to confidentiality of data posed by and to clients actions.

In practice, this means: Your Licensed Conveyancer apprenticeship will equip you with a strong understanding of data protection laws like GDPR, ensuring you handle client information with the highest level of confidentiality and security.

• K9: fundamentals of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in an organisation and steps that can be taken to mitigate those risks.

In practice, this means: This apprenticeship will teach you to protect your firm and your clients from cyber threats. You'll learn to identify vulnerabilities and take steps to mitigate risks, such as recognizing phishing emails.

• K10: the impact of diversity and inclusion on client service delivery.

In practice, this means: The Conveyancing Apprenticeship emphasizes the importance of providing excellent service to all clients, regardless of their background, fostering an inclusive environment.

• K11: the activities of the occupation which contribute to their ‘professional carbon footprint’ and steps that can be taken to reduce it.

In practice, this means: Finally, this apprenticeship encourages you to think about sustainability in your work. You’ll learn to reduce your environmental impact by adopting paperless and eco-friendly practices in your day-to-day conveyancing duties.

• K12: principles of Law applicable to conveyancing in respect of residential property and land.

In practice, this means: This means you must know the legal rules governing buying and selling homes. In practice, you'll need to understand the difference between freehold and leasehold property, the legal steps involved in a property transfer, and how to interpret complex documents like deeds and title registers. You'll also learn about common issues like easements and covenants, which can affect a property's value or use.

• K13: principles of regulatory arrangements for personal compliance with requirements as a licensed conveyancer.

In practice, this means: This is about staying compliant with the professional rules set by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). In practice, this means adhering to specific regulations on how you handle client money, manage conflicts of interest, and maintain professional insurance. It's about personal responsibility and ethical conduct to avoid disciplinary action.

• K14: the impact of climate change on the legal landscape such as green deal, electric charge points, green buildings, EPC certification, planning implications and emerging green technologies and regulations.

In practice, this means: This involves understanding how environmental factors and regulations affect property transactions. For a Conveyancing Apprenticeship, this means knowing about Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and their implications for a sale. You'll also need to be aware of how emerging technologies, like electric vehicle charge points and new environmental regulations, might impact a property and require specific legal checks.

• K15: fundamentals of tax implications for conveyancing.

In practice, this means: You'll need to understand the basic tax rules that apply to property transactions. The most important one is Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT). In practice, you'll be responsible for calculating how much SDLT a client needs to pay and ensuring it's paid on time. You should also be aware of how other taxes, like Capital Gains Tax, might apply to a property sale.

📜 Probate Practice

These are the specific legal knowledge required for Licensed Probate Practitioner Apprenticeship

• K16: principles of regulatory arrangements for personal compliance with requirements as a licensed probate practitioner.

In practice, this means: Similar to conveyancers, licensed probate practitioners must comply with a specific code of conduct. This means following the rules on client care, managing client funds, and handling confidential information. In practice, it's about acting with integrity and professionalism when dealing with a deceased person's estate to ensure you don't face penalties or lose your license.

• K17: principles of law applicable to Will drafting, Lasting Powers of Attorney and probate activities.

In practice, this means: This is the core legal knowledge for probate. In practice, you'll learn how to draft a legally binding Will and understand the requirements for it to be valid. You'll also learn the process of obtaining a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration, which gives you the legal authority to manage and distribute a deceased person's estate. This includes understanding the role of an executor and handling a Lasting Power of Attorney for clients who are still living.

• K18: fundamentals of tax implications for probate activities.

In practice, this means: This means understanding the tax issues that arise when someone dies. The most significant is Inheritance Tax. In practice, you'll need to know how to value an estate to determine if any Inheritance Tax is due and complete the necessary tax forms. You'll also need to be aware of other tax considerations, such as income tax or capital gains tax, that may apply to the estate's assets.

• S1: manage caseload to prioritise client service and working in the clients’ best interests.

In practice, you will: As a Conveyancing Apprentice, you'll learn to prioritise multiple property files, ensuring client service remains a top priority. Your ability to manage a demanding workload is a core skill of the Licensed Conveyancer Apprenticeship.

• S2: manage relationships with other lawyers and professional third parties using most effective channels to progress caseloads.

In practice, you will: Manage relationships with third parties: A successful Conveyancing Apprentice builds strong professional relationships with other lawyers, brokers, and estate agents to keep transactions moving efficiently.

• S3: manage clients and their expectations using the most effective channels to ensure clarity of understanding and facilitate clients making informed choices.

In practice, you will: This skill is central to the Licensed Conveyancer Apprenticeship. You will learn to communicate realistic timelines and manage client expectations to ensure they remain informed and confident in your service.

• S4: handle points of contact with clients and key milestones in an organised and controlled way to lead the client experience.

In practice, you will:  A key part of your Conveyancing Apprenticeship is mastering an organized approach to client communication, ensuring every milestone is met and the client experience is seamless from start to finish.

• S5: use the principles of law and translate using plain English to provide clarification and explanation of the legal process and standard legal terms.

In practice, you will:  As a Licensed Conveyancer Apprentice, you will excel at explaining complex legal terms in a simple, clear manner, helping clients understand the process and their legal obligations.

• S6: organise and manage workflow such as legal files, case management and accounting systems to progress work within service level expectations.

In practice, you will: The Conveyancing Apprenticeship teaches you to use digital tools like case management and accounting systems to organize files and progress work efficiently, ensuring you meet service level expectations.

• S7: protect interests of clients to ensure they receive an honest and lawful service.

In practice, you will: As a Licensed Conveyancer Apprentice, your primary goal is to protect your clients, ensuring every service you provide is honest and lawful. This is a fundamental skill of the Conveyancing Apprenticeship.

• S8: manage risk in relation to legal and regulatory liabilities with regards to the client and organisation to satisfactorily discharge all professional obligation and limit exposure to complaints and reputational harm to the organisation.

In practice, you will: The Licensed Conveyancer Apprenticeship trains you to proactively manage risks, ensuring you meet all professional obligations and protect the firm from complaints and reputational damage.

• S9: manage legal processes adhering to professional, supervisory and regulatory Codes of Conduct.

In practice, you will: A successful Licensed Conveyancer Apprentice always adheres to professional and regulatory codes of conduct, ensuring all legal processes are managed with integrity and professionalism.

• S10: deliver a cost-effective service by analysing the financial costs and fees generated by activities to inform good decision making through price transparency. For example operating within the cost-model of the organisation or identifying when fees have exceeded the initial quote and taking mitigating actions.

In practice, you will: Deliver a cost-effective service: This skill, learned during your Conveyancing Apprenticeship, involves being financially transparent with clients, providing clear quotes, and taking action if fees exceed the initial estimate.

• S11: apply fraud protection measures and cyber security procedures in relation to transactions.

In practice, you will: A critical skill for any Conveyancing Apprentice is to protect against fraud by applying robust cyber security and fraud prevention procedures in every transaction.

• S12: undertake “Know Your Client" activities to ensure a clear picture of needs and risks throughout legal transactions.

In practice, you will: The Licensed Conveyancer Apprenticeship emphasizes the ongoing need to conduct KYC checks to understand and mitigate risks throughout the legal transaction.

🏠 Conveyancing Practice Skills

• S13: provide legal services in connection with sale and purchase and, or, re-mortgage or transfers of equity of residential property including advice and guidance to clients relevant to conveyancing.

In practice, you will:  The core of the Conveyancing Apprenticeship is providing legal advice for the sale, purchase, re-mortgage, or transfer of residential property.

• S14: assess legal, regulatory and commercial risk related to sale and purchase, re-mortgage or transfers of equity of residential property.

In practice, you will:  As a Conveyancing Apprentice, you will learn to assess the legal and commercial risks associated with a property, such as flood risk or title issues.

📜 Probate Practice Skills

• S16: provide legal services in connection with disposal of an estate including advice and guidance to clients relevant to wills and probate.

In practice, you will:  A Probate Apprentice will provide legal services for the disposal of an estate, including offering guidance on Wills and probate activities.

• S17: assess legal, regulatory and commercial risk related to disposal of estate.

In practice, you will:  This skill involves assessing legal, regulatory, and commercial risks related to managing a deceased person's estate.

• S18: review and interpret legal documents related to disposal of estate including completing documentation.

In practice, you will:  A Probate Apprentice will learn to review and interpret key legal documents related to an estate, including completing all necessary forms.

• S19: draft legal documents related to probate transactions such as Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

In practice, you will:  You will develop the skills to draft legally binding documents like Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, a fundamental part of the Licensed Probate Practitioner Apprenticeship.

• B1: Accountable for a caseload of fee generating work and the costs incurred to deliver organisational outputs.

In practice, you will: A key behaviour of a Conveyancing Apprentice is taking full ownership of your work. You will be accountable for your caseload, understanding that your efficiency and performance directly contribute to the firm's financial output. This sense of responsibility is a core part of the Licensed Conveyancer Apprenticeship.

• B2: Provides a timely, efficient and legally correct service to generate a positive client experience. Manages professional relationships and resolves conveyancing or probate issues impartially and comprehensively, taking advice where needed.

In practice, you will:  The mark of a great Conveyancing Apprentice is the ability to deliver excellent, timely client service while maintaining legal accuracy. You will learn to manage professional relationships and resolve issues impartially, a vital behaviour for anyone on a Licensed Conveyancing Apprenticeship.

• B3: Generates solutions to conveyancing or probate problems, considering a range of options and identifying when to escalate when problems are outside their remit.

In practice, you will:  A proactive and solution-oriented approach is a critical behaviour for a Licensed Conveyancer Apprentice. You will learn to identify problems and propose solutions, while also knowing when to escalate complex issues beyond your expertise.

• B4: Takes an analytical approach to risk in legal transactions ensuring that the client and organisation are protected from financial crimes and cyber-crime.

In practice, you will:  This behaviour is essential for any Conveyancing Apprentice. You will learn to think analytically about legal risks, actively protecting both the client and your firm from financial and cyber-crimes. This proactive mindset is a key part of the Licensed Conveyancer Apprenticeship.

• B5: Adheres to professional codes of conduct in legal activities and relationships with others.

In practice, you will: The final behaviour is about integrity. As a Licensed Conveyancer Apprentice, you will consistently adhere to the professional codes of conduct in all your activities and relationships, building a reputation for ethical and trustworthy practice.