What does a conveyancing solicitor do?

Conveyancing is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. In Scotland, this process is governed by its own legal system and involves a series of structured steps that must be completed in the correct order.

When you are selling a property, your solicitor will handle the following tasks:

• Drafting and reviewing formal legal documents including the qualified acceptance, missives, and any additional clauses
• Checking the title deeds and ensuring the legal ownership can be transferred cleanly to the buyer
• Communicating with the buyer’s solicitor to answer questions and agree on contractual terms
• Concluding the missives, which is the point at which the sale becomes legally binding
• Requesting a redemption statement from your lender, so that any mortgage can be repaid on settlement
• Receiving the funds from the buyer’s solicitor on settlement day and transferring them accordingly
• Arranging for the property to be formally discharged from your name with Registers of Scotland

If any of these steps are missed or delayed, it can cause legal and financial problems. That is why it is essential to work with an experienced solicitor who understands Scottish conveyancing and who can complete the process accurately and on time.