Professional conduct is crucial in ensuring professionals perform their duties to the expected standards. In property law, licensed conveyancers manage legal transactions involving buying, selling, and transferring property. The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) regulates these professionals to maintain high practice standards.
What is Professional Conduct?
Professional conduct means acting according to the standards expected in one’s field. For licensed conveyancers, poor conduct includes errors like failing to do proper checks, missing deadlines, giving incorrect advice, or mishandling documents. Such actions can cause delays, financial loss, or legal disputes.
To prove a breach of professional conduct, a claimant must show:
Duty of Care: The conveyancer owed a responsibility to the client.
Breach of Duty: The conveyancer failed to meet the expected standard.
Causation and Damages: The breach caused actual harm or loss.
The Role of the Council for Licensed Conveyancers
The CLC oversees licensed conveyancers in the UK. It ensures they meet competence and ethical standards and provide quality service to clients.
When there are complaints about professional conduct, the CLC can investigate and take action. This might include warnings or removing the conveyancer from the register. Clients can file complaints with the CLC, which works to resolve disputes and hold conveyancers accountable. However, the CLC does not provide financial compensation—that is handled through legal claims.
If you experience poor professional conduct, seek legal advice promptly. Reuben Law specialises in such cases. We assess whether you have a valid claim and guide you through evidence gathering and legal processes.
Our services include:
Assessing the Claim: We review your case and advise on its strength.
Negotiating Settlements: We negotiate fair settlements out of court.
Litigation: If needed, we represent you in court to claim compensation.
Resolutions may include:
Financial Compensation: Recover losses caused by poor conduct.
Apology or Acknowledgment: Sometimes an apology is appropriate.
Regulatory Action: The CLC may fine, suspend, or remove a conveyancer.
You may also claim legal costs if your case goes to court.
In Smith v. Hamilton, a conveyancer missed a land registry issue, leading to ownership disputes. The client won damages.
In Jones v. Parkhurst Conveyancing, a failure to spot a contract clause caused financial loss. The client received compensation.
Reuben Law understands the impact of breaches in professional conduct. Our legal team is dedicated to protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. We provide personalised, friendly, and professional service, guiding you through every legal step.
If you suspect poor professional conduct by a licensed conveyancer, contact Reuben Law for expert advice and representation.