Setting up as a Recognised Body

What is a Recognised Body Practice?

A body corporate or incorporate recognised by the CLC under s.32 of the 1985 Act to provide regulated services to the public.

A Recognised Body is a practice (sole practitioner, partnership, limited liability partnership or a company) that must be wholly owned by the authorised person i.e. a Licensed Conveyancer, Solicitor, or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. The authorised persons will operate and manage the business and deliver the regulated services direct to the public. At least one authorised person must hold a CLC licence with a manager designation. The recognised body can deliver conveyancing and probate services if there are authorised persons in the practice with relevant specialism for these reserved activities.

A manager is:

1. if the body is a limited company, a director of the body listed on Companies House;
2. if the body is a partnership, a person held out as a partner who may be an equity or salaried partner e.g. listed as a partner on the firm’s headed paper;
3. if the body is a Limited Liability Partnership, an LLP member listed on Companies House;
4. Sole Practitioner.

Who can apply and who can join ownership of the practice?

• CLC Lawyers who hold a current licence with the CLC with a manager designation
• CLC Lawyers who hold a current licence with the CLC (must be eligible to upgrade to a CLC licence with a manager designation first)
• Conveyancing and Private Client solicitors who hold a current practising certificate (must complete any educational requirements by the CLC and submit an application to the CLC for a CLC Licence with a manager designation first)
• A FCILEx who holds a current practising certificate and specialises in conveyancing and/or probate (must complete any educational requirements by the CLC and submit an application to the CLC for a CLC Licence with a manager designation first)

(Note that a solicitor and FCILEx can apply for a CLC licence with a manager designation and still retain their SRA/FCILEx practising certificate if they wish.)

How to apply

If you are interested in setting up a Recognised Body Practice regulated by the CLC, please email our licensing department on licensing@clc-uk.org with your expression of interest. Our licensing team will then arrange an introductory phone call and any follow up meeting that will take place in person before you complete any documentation.

Guidance For CLC Practice Applicants
It is essential you take a look at CLC’s guidance for practice applicants.

Consultations
You may want to familiarise yourself with the CLC’s current and past consultations, as well as the CLC’s responses to external consultations.