Applying for a CLC licence (conveyancing and/or probate).

Dual and cross qualifying Professionals. Qualified lawyers and STEP Probate Practitioners 

• Solicitors, FCILEx, F.NALP and F.P.NALP lawyers (with a valid practising certificate free from conditions) that have complete conveyancing and probate electives)
• Candidates that have successfully completed CILEx/Paralegal/Solicitor Apprenticeships at Level 6 and 7 (with conveyancing or probate pathways)
• Step Practitioners that have achieved either: the STEP Diploma in Trusts and Estates – England & Wales or the STEP Diploma in Will Preparation – England & Wales

Applicants should always refer to the published CLC Exemptions Policy, the CLC handbook.

In order to apply for a first qualifying CLC licence ALL dual and cross qualifying professionals must provide evidence of their past passed academic electives (conveyancing and/or probate) and are required to complete and submit with their application a Statement of Practical Experience, for 1200 hours, signed and verified by an Authorised Person (with the appropriate practise rights), with a current and valid licence.

Important information about CPD

All qualified lawyers seeking to submit an application for a CLC licence must evidence (at the point of submitting an application) that they have met the CLC’s standard annual CPD requirements. This enables cross qualifying professionals and lawyers to

a. demonstrate their legal knowledge is up to date and comparable to CLC lawyers by providing evidence that they have maintained their technical legal knowledge as well as occupational experience relevant to the licence they intend to apply for.

b. provide a copy of their most recent training record detailing the types of activities that that have completed in order to keep their legal, occupational and professional skills up to date, such as, commercial CPD activities, employer led in-house training sessions and CLC webinars.

Qualified lawyers and STEP Probate Practitioners, will be ask to provide the following supporting documentation as part of the formalities of applying for a CLC licence.

1. A current and up to date CV
2. A current practising certificate or professional licence
3. All education certificates and transcripts, to show whether the academic units associated to conveyancing/probate have been completed and passed
4. A completed and verified statement of experience (1200hrs) demonstrating 2 year’s continuous conveyancing/probate experience.
5. Evidence of completed CPD activity that meets the standard annual CPD requirements set for CLC lawyers. Please the CLC CPD Policy HERE
6. A copy of the most recent training record.

If you are unable to fulfil either the educational, work experience or CPD requirements please contact the CLC Licensing team by email at licensing@clc-uk.org and include in the subject heading: ‘Dual/Cross qualifying applicant: CLC licence enquiry’.

Important information.

Individuals that are subject to ongoing criminal investigation/action, regulatory disciplinary investigations, action or appeal processes with any enforcement or regulatory body are not able to pursue a licensing application until the outcome of the adverse event is known. This extends to:

a. Solicitors, FCILEx lawyers and/or FCA regulated Financial Controllers

i. with unspent suspensions/disqualifications;

ii. that have been removed from the Solicitors roll/CILEx or FCA register as a result of disciplinary findings and who have not yet had their licence reinstated

b. Owners, Directors, Members, Partners, HoLP and HoFA of CLC regulated practices that has been formally notified that the practice is in continued non-compliance and or subject to disciplinary allegations, investigations or proceedings and are unable (at this time) to pursue any licensing applications.

The CLC encourages qualified lawyers with relevant specialist experience to consider converting to CLC regulation. You will enjoy the benefits of being Authorised Person in terms of the Legal Services Act 2007 and will be regulated by a specialist regulator with rule book tailored to conveyancing and probate practice.  A full year individual CLC licence is £400 and your first individual licence fee will be calculated on a pro rata basis.

The following qualified lawyers can apply to transfer to CLC regulation with no further training or occupational requirement:

1. FCILEx lawyers including those with CILEx practitioner rights in Conveyancing and or Probate and/or approved as COLP or HoLP, (with valid practising certificates free from conditions); that have completed appropriate conveyancing and probate electives.

The CLC is waiving Application Fees for all applicants until the end of 2022 with the exception of the DBS check cost, which is under £100.

2. Solicitors: (with valid practising certificates free from conditions); that have completed appropriate conveyancing and probate electives, and/or approved as COLP or HoLP. Solicitors are required to provide an employer declaration of 1,200 hours of relevant practical experience completed within the last two years

The standard fees apply, which include £150.00 application fee and the DBS check cost, which is under £100.

All lawyers will need to provide information about their most recent year’s CPD

All qualified lawyers seeking to submit an application for a CLC licence must evidence (at the point of submitting an application) that they have met the CLC’s standard annual CPD requirements. This enables cross qualifying professionals and lawyers to:

1. demonstrate their legal knowledge is up to date and comparable to CLC lawyers by providing evidence that they have maintained their technical legal knowledge as well as occupational experience relevant to the licence they intend to apply for; and
2. provide a copy of their most recent training record detailing the types of activities that that have completed in order to keep their legal, occupational and professional skills up to date, such as, commercial CPD activities, employer led in-house training sessions and CLC webinars.

If you are unable to fulfil either the educational, work experience or CPD requirements please contact the CLC Licensing team by email at licensing@clc-uk.org and include in the subject heading: ‘Dual/Cross qualifying applicant: CLC licence enquiry’.

Important information.

Individuals that are subject to ongoing criminal investigation/action, regulatory disciplinary investigations, action or appeal processes with any enforcement or regulatory body are not able to pursue a licensing application until the outcome of the adverse event is known. This extends to:

1. Solicitors, FCILEx lawyers and/or FCA regulated Financial Controllers:

i. with unspent suspensions/disqualifications;

ii. that have been removed from the Solicitors roll/CILEx or FCA register as a result of disciplinary findings and who have not yet had their licence reinstated

b. Owners, Directors, Members, Partners, HoLP and HoFA of CLC regulated practices that has been formally notified that the practice is in continued non-compliance and or subject to disciplinary allegations, investigations or proceedings and are unable to pursue any licensing applications.

Request an Application Form.