If you are buying, selling, or transferring a property in NSW, you will likely wonder about the difference between a conveyancer and solicitor. Both professionals can handle the legal side of your property transaction, and at first glance, they might appear to do the same job. They prepare contracts, review terms, manage settlements, and ensure your property transfer is completed correctly.

The key differences come down to their qualifications, scope of work, the level of legal advice they can provide, and how they approach complex situations. Understanding these differences will help you decide which professional is the right choice for your needs.

What is a Conveyancer? 

A conveyancer is a licensed professional who specialises in property transactions. In NSW, they are regulated under the Conveyancers Licensing Act 2003, and their work includes buying and selling property, transferring ownership between family members, and title change transactions. 

Think of a conveyancer as someone who works with property transfers every day. They understand the process from start to finish, and because they focus on this area, they have detailed knowledge of each step involved. 

A conveyancer can: 

  • Review your contract before you sign it
  • Order title searches to confirm ownership and check for restrictions
  • Arrange and coordinate settlements through platforms like PEXA
  • Prepare and lodge the legal documents required with NSW Land Registry Services
     

While conveyancers are specialists in property law, they are not qualified to give you legal advice outside of conveyancing. For example, they cannot assist with family law matters, represent you in court for unrelated disputes, advise on business or commercial agreements, or handle criminal law cases. 

What is a Solicitor?  

A solicitor is a lawyer who has been admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and holds a practising certificate. They can work in many areas of law, and conveyancing is just one part of what they do. 

The main difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer is scope. While a solicitor can handle property transactions in the same way as a conveyancer, they can also give advice on broader legal issues. This can be especially useful if your property matter is linked to other legal areas or has several moving parts. 

difference between a conveyancer and solicitor

A solicitor can: 

  • Represent you in disputes over ownership or boundaries
     
  • Assist with legal issues connected to your transaction, like preparing a will or resolving family law matters
     
  • Act for you in court if a dispute arises 

In short, a solicitor’s toolkit is broader, and they can take on matters that overlap with property law, commercial law, family law, and other areas. 

Key Differences Between a Conveyancer and a Solicitor 

While both conveyancers and solicitors can help you buy or sell property, there are important differences in what they can do, how they work, the situations they are best suited for, and the type of support they can provide throughout the process. 

  1. Scope of Services

  • Conveyancers – Focus only on property transactions. This means they prepare and review contracts for buying or selling property, carry out title searches, arrange settlements, and handle all the paperwork with NSW Land Registry Services. Their work is limited to property law matters.
  • Solicitors – Handle property transactions too, but they can also give legal advice in other areas. This is helpful if your property matter overlaps with family law, commercial law, wills and estates, or court disputes.
     

  1. Complexity of Cases

  • Conveyancers – A good choice for straightforward sales, purchases or transfers where there are no legal disputes.  
  • Solicitors – Better suited for complex cases whereby additional legal considerations are required.  

  1. Regulation

  • Conveyancers – Licensed and regulated by NSW Fair Trading, which sets their professional standards and ensures they follow the Conveyancers Licensing Act 2003.
  • Solicitors – Regulated by the Law Society of NSW, which sets broader professional and ethical standards for lawyers across all areas of law.
     

  1. Professional Approach and Coverage

  • Both conveyancers and solicitors – Have professional indemnity insurance, which protects you if they make an error that causes you a loss.
  • Solicitors – Can go beyond conveyancing to develop a wider legal strategy, especially when your property matter is tied to other legal areas such as disputes, trusts, business agreements or estate planning. 

When to Use a Conveyancer 

A conveyancer is often the ideal choice when your property transaction is straightforward and unlikely to involve legal issues outside of property law. 

You might choose a conveyancer in situations such as: 

  • Buying, selling or transferring residential, commercial or industrial property.  
  • Wanting an expert who focuses solely on property law and manages conveyancing matters every day
  • Needing a streamlined process with predictable timelines and fees 

Strictly Conveyancing specialises in guiding clients through straightforward property transactions, ensuring a smooth, stress-free, efficient, and easy-to-understand process from start to finish. 

When to Use a Solicitor 

A solicitor is often the better choice when your property transaction is complex or linked to other areas of law. 

You might choose a solicitor if:

  • There are disputes involving the title, caveats, restrictive covenants, or boundary encroachments
  • You need advice beyond the conveyance itself, such as wills and estate planning that follow the purchase, family law property settlements. 

How to Choose the Right Professional for Your Property Transaction 

If you are deciding between a conveyancer and a solicitor, start with this quick checklist.
 

  • Legal needs – Will you need advice on related matters such as wills and estate planning, family law property settlements, tax implications, or business agreements?
  • Specialisation preference – Do you want someone who focuses solely on property law, or someone who can cover a wider range of legal matters if your transaction becomes more complex?
  • Comfort level – Which professional’s communication style, approach, availability, and track record makes you feel more confident and supported?
     

Once you have narrowed down your choice, speak to one or two professionals and ask: 

  • Are you licensed and insured?
  • What is included in your service, and are there any potential extra costs?
  • How will you keep me updated during the process, and how quickly do you usually respond?
  • What is your availability if something urgent happens before the settlement? 

This combination of self-assessment and direct questions will give you a clear picture of who is the best fit for your situation. 

At Strictly Conveyancing, we help clients across NSW by providing expert guidance, delivering high-quality conveyancing services, ensuring the process runs smoothly, and meeting their specific property needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it cheaper to use a conveyancer or a solicitor?
Generally, conveyancers charge lower fixed fees compared to solicitors because they specialise only in property transactions. Solicitors may charge more, particularly if your matter involves disputes or additional legal advice. However, the right choice depends on whether your situation is simple or complex.

2. Can a conveyancer give me legal advice?
Yes, but only within the scope of property law. A conveyancer can explain contracts, settlement processes, and title issues. They cannot advise you on family law, business law, disputes, or prepare unrelated legal documents like wills. For those matters, you will need a solicitor.

3. Do I need a solicitor if my property transaction is straightforward?
Not necessarily. If your matter is simple (like a standard purchase or sale), a licensed conveyancer is usually sufficient and cost-effective. But if your transaction involves disputes, multiple parties, trusts, or is tied to other legal issues, a solicitor is better suited.

Making Your Next Move Simple 

Choosing between a conveyancer and a solicitor is easier when you understand the differences and know what matters most for your situation. Think about the complexity of your matter, if you need additional legal advice, your preference for a specialist or a broader legal service, how you want to manage the process, and the level of personal support you expect along the way. 

If you are buying or selling a property in Rydalmere, Parramatta, or anywhere in NSW, Strictly Conveyancing can help you understand your options. We specialise in property law and pride ourselves on making the process straightforward and stress-free. 

Get in touch with us today to talk about your property plans and find out how we can make your next move easier.