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Recognised Body Information

Recognised Body Applications – Introductory Information

What is it?

A body corporate or incorporate recognised by the CLC under s.32 of the 1985 Act to provide regulated services to the public

The practice must be wholly owned by the authorised person/s who will operate and manage the business and deliver the regulated services direct to the public.

At least one authorised person must also hold a CLC Managers Licence.

The practice may be owned and run by a sole practitioner, as an ordinary partnership, as a limited liability partnership or as a company.

The recognised body can deliver conveyancing and probate services if there are authorised persons in the practice with relevant specialism for these reserved activities.

Who can apply?

We will accept applications from applicants wishing to set up in practice under CLC regulation:-

Licensed Conveyancers who already hold a managers licence (with probate if relevant to the application);

Licensed Conveyancers who hold an employed licence (with probate if relevant if relevant to the application);

Conveyancing and Private Client solicitors who hold a current practising certificate (as relevant to the application);

(Note that a solicitor can apply for a CLC managers licence and retain their SRA practising certificate if they wish)

Who can join in the ownership of the practice?

There needs to be one authorised person who already holds or will satisfy requirements to hold a Managers Licence;

These requirements are based on qualification and experience;

This person can be joined in partnership, as a member of an LLP or as a director of a company by:-

A Licensed Conveyancer who already holds a Managers Licence (with probate if relevant to the application);

A Licensed Conveyancer who currently holds an Employed Licence but is eligible to upgrade to a Managers Licence (with probate if relevant to the application);

A Conveyancing and Private Client Solicitor who holds a current practising certificate (as relevant to the application);

FCILEx’s who specialises in conveyancing and probate and holds a current practising certificate;

(Note that a FCILEx can apply for a CLC managers licence and retain their CILEX  practising certificate if they wish subject to CLC qualifying requirements – Accounts and possibly Landlord & Tenant)

Probate services

The practice will be able to apply to deliver probate services if there is an authorised person with this specialism in employment.

Please see the Guidance Notes for further information

If you are interested in setting up a Recognised Body, please email licensing@clc-uk.org with your expression of interest. Our licensing team will arrange an introductory phone call and any follow up meeting which will take place before you complete any documentation.