Conveyancing in Practice
This topic covers the practical aspects of conveyancing, from taking instructions to post-completion procedures. Learners will understand the legal and procedural steps involved in property transactions, including searches, contracts, and registration.
Assessment criteria
Topic Overview
The NALP Level 7 Diploma in Paralegal Practice is a vocational qualification designed to equip students with the advanced legal knowledge and practical skills required to work as a paralegal in England and Wales. This diploma covers core areas of law such as contract, tort, criminal law, land law, and legal research, alongside professional ethics and practice management. It is recognised by the National Association of Licensed Paralegals (NALP) and provides a pathway to becoming a Licensed Paralegal, offering a credible alternative to the solicitor or barrister routes.
This qualification is particularly valuable for those seeking to enter the legal profession without undertaking a law degree or the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). It emphasises practical application, requiring students to demonstrate competence in drafting legal documents, conducting legal research, and advising clients under supervision. The diploma is structured to build a solid foundation in legal principles while developing the procedural knowledge needed to support solicitors and barristers in areas such as litigation, conveyancing, and probate.
Studying the NALP Level 7 Diploma not only prepares you for immediate employment as a paralegal but also lays the groundwork for further career progression, such as becoming a Fellow of NALP or pursuing higher-level qualifications. The curriculum is regularly updated to reflect changes in legislation and practice, ensuring that graduates are job-ready and able to contribute effectively in legal settings. Mastery of this diploma demonstrates to employers that you have both the theoretical understanding and the practical competence to handle complex legal tasks.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Legal Research and Analysis: The ability to locate, interpret, and apply primary and secondary legal sources, including statutes, case law, and regulatory materials, to solve legal problems.
- →Professional Ethics and Conduct: Understanding the NALP Code of Conduct, including duties of confidentiality, conflict of interest, and competence, which are essential for maintaining professional standards.
- →Civil and Criminal Procedure: Knowledge of the rules governing litigation, including the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and the Criminal Procedure Rules, from pre-action protocols to trial and appeal.
- →Substantive Law Areas: Core subjects such as contract law (offer, acceptance, consideration), tort law (negligence, duty of care), land law (registered title, leases), and criminal law (actus reus, mens rea).
- →Practice Management: Skills in file management, billing, client care, and use of legal technology, ensuring efficient and compliant paralegal practice.
Learning Objectives
What you need to know and understand
- 1. Understand what information to obtain when taking instructions and why it is required. Know the importance of conducting anti money laundering checks. 2. Understand the information that should be retrieved from the official copies to enable Contracts to be drafted and issued3. Understand how to obtain searches and what the results will contain including enquiries that should be raised as a result of these and the title check.4. Understand the process which should be followed when the transaction involves a mortgage5. Be able to advise upon the different options available for Co-Ownership and when to recommend that a Declaration of Trust is put in place6. Identify the differences in procedures where a property is unregistered, leasehold, new build or a transfer of par7. Understand the meaning of Exchange and the procedures to be followed8. Know what Pre-Completion procedures should be put into place following exchange9. Understand the process on the day of Completion10. Have a thorough understanding of the Post Completion procedures relating to mortgages, Stamp Duty Land Tax and registration
Assessment Criteria
Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio
- Obtains and verifies client instructions, including anti-money laundering checks.
- Retrieves and interprets official copies and search results to draft contracts.
- Advises on co-ownership options and the use of Declarations of Trust.
- Manages exchange of contracts and pre-completion searches correctly.
- Completes post-completion tasks including SDLT submission and registration.
Assessment Guidance
Guidance for achieving higher grades
- 💡Create a flowchart of the conveyancing process to visualise steps.
- 💡Practice drafting contract clauses and completion statements.
- 💡Stay updated on current SDLT rates and thresholds.
- 💡When answering problem questions, always use the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) to structure your answer. This ensures you address all elements and apply the law to the facts systematically.
- 💡Pay close attention to the wording of statutes and case judgments. Examiners look for precise legal terminology and correct citation of authority (e.g., Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] for negligence). Avoid vague references.
- 💡For practical tasks like drafting a statement of case, ensure you follow the correct format under the CPR, including the heading, statement of truth, and proper numbering. Small procedural errors can lose marks.
Common Mistakes
Common errors to avoid in your coursework
- Failing to identify discrepancies in title documents or searches.
- Incorrectly calculating Stamp Duty Land Tax or missing deadlines.
- Overlooking the need for additional enquiries based on search results.
- Misconception: Paralegals can give independent legal advice to the public. Correction: Paralegals must work under the supervision of a qualified solicitor or barrister and cannot offer legal advice directly to clients unless they are a Licensed Paralegal with specific permissions.
- Misconception: The NALP Level 7 Diploma is equivalent to a law degree. Correction: While it covers similar content, it is a vocational qualification focused on practical skills rather than academic theory. It is not a qualifying law degree for the SQE but is recognised for paralegal roles.
- Misconception: Legal research is just reading cases. Correction: Effective legal research involves using databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, updating legislation, and applying the hierarchy of sources (primary vs secondary) to find binding authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Pass / Merit / Distinction Evidence Checklist
How your portfolio evidence is graded for NALP Conveyancing in Practice
Every vocational unit is marked against named criteria rather than an exam percentage. Your tutor's brief lists the exact codes for this unit — here is what each band is asking you to do.
Demonstrate baseline knowledge, accurate terminology, and core practical application.
Provide detailed analysis, structured explanations, and clear workplace reasoning.
Deliver thorough evaluation, original problem solving, and fully justified recommendations.
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •A basic understanding of the English legal system, including the court hierarchy and sources of law (statute, common law, equity).
- •Familiarity with legal terminology and the ability to read and interpret case law and statutes.
- •Completion of a Level 3 or 4 qualification in law or equivalent work experience is recommended but not mandatory.
Coursework AI Review
Paste your assignment brief and check your draft against its P/M/D criteria
Key Terminology
Essential terms to know
- 1. Understand what information to obtain when taking instructions and why it is required. Know the importance of conducting anti money laundering checks. 2. Understand the information that should be retrieved from the official copies to enable Contracts to be drafted and issued3. Understand how to obtain searches and what the results will contain including enquiries that should be raised as a result of these and the title check.4. Understand the process which should be followed when the transaction involves a mortgage5. Be able to advise upon the different options available for Co-Ownership and when to recommend that a Declaration of Trust is put in place6. Identify the differences in procedures where a property is unregistered, leasehold, new build or a transfer of par7. Understand the meaning of Exchange and the procedures to be followed8. Know what Pre-Completion procedures should be put into place following exchange9. Understand the process on the day of Completion10. Have a thorough understanding of the Post Completion procedures relating to mortgages, Stamp Duty Land Tax and registration
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