The Council for Licensed Conveyancers has published its annual report for 2015 and outlined its plans for the current year including reforms to qualifying as a probate practitioner.
By autumn 2016 the CLC say people will be able to become licensed conveyancers and CLC probate practitioners through apprenticeships, classroom or distance learning programmes. The apprenticeship programme will be part of the Government’s “Trailblazer” programme, which enables employers to access government funding.
The CLC have also announced their intention to make members of staff redundant in order to fund a review of regulatory fees. According to the Legal Services Board, 81% of firms believe the CLC offers value for money.
Chief Executive of the CLC Sheila Kumar said: “2015 was a year of major change for the CLC as we streamlined our activity and staffing and moved to smaller, more suitable premises. Now we are turning to make sure that our rule book, PII arrangements and Compensation Fund fit current market conditions, consumer protection needs and contemporary best practice in regulation.
“This will ensure we are providing the best possible service to consumers and fostering innovation and competition for progressive providers of conveyancing and probate services.”
Chair of the CLC Dame Janet Paraskeva said: “2016 will see us continuing to focus on the core objective of exploring to the full the benefits of specialist regulation of specialist property law services providers. Specialisation delivers high standards of consumer protection in conveyancing and probate, the two most widely used legal services.
“I have been told repeatedly since taking up the role of Chair of the CLC that those we regulate value our supportive approach that helps them comply with regulation to protect the consumer and develop thriving businesses. The CLC’s approach is unique in the sector, reflecting its original and ongoing mission to promote innovation and competition while protecting the consumer.”
