<p>In <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England_and_Wales">England and Wales</a>, conveyancing is usually done by a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solicitor">solicitor</a> or a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Licensed_Conveyancer">licensed conveyancer</a>; either may employ or supervise an unqualified <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conveyancer">conveyancer</a>. What is being conveyed, or transferred, is a piece of land or property, that historically (especially in England) may or may not include the &quot;messuage&quot;,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conveyancing#cite_note-4">[4]</a> that would be the principal dwelling, and might include an orchard, any outbuildings, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtilage">curtilage</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conveyancing#cite_note-5">[5]</a> if present.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conveyancing#cite_note-Bouvier1870-6">[6]</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conveyancing#cite_note-Sheets-7">[7]</a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conveyancing#cite_note-8">[8]</a> The domestic conveyancing market is price competitive, with a high number of firms of solicitors and conveyancing companies offering a similar service. It is possible for someone to carry out their own conveyancing.<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conveyancing#cite_note-9">[9]</a></p>

<p>Under <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_law">English law</a> agreements are not legally binding until contracts are exchanged. This affords both the advantage of freedom before contract, but also the disadvantage of wasted time and expense in the event the deal is not done.</p>

<p>The normal practice is for the buyer to negotiate an agreed price with the seller then organise a survey and have the solicitor (or conveyancer) carry out their searches and pre-contract enquiries. The seller&#39;s solicitor or conveyancer will prepare the draft contract to be approved by the buyer&#39;s solicitor. The seller&#39;s solicitor will also collect and prepare property information to be provided to the buyer&#39;s solicitors, in line with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_Society">Law Society</a>&#39;s <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Protocol&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1">National Protocol</a> for domestic conveyancing.</p>

<p>It takes on average 10&ndash;12 weeks to complete a conveyancing transaction, but while some transactions are quicker, many take longer. The timescale is determined by a host of factors &ndash; legal, personal, social and financial. During this period prior to exchange of contracts (exchange being the point at which the transaction becomes legally binding) either party can pull out of the transaction at any time and for any reason, with no legal obligation to the other. This gives rise to a risk of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gazump">gazumping</a> and its converse, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gazundering&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1">gazundering</a>. Conveyancing is a component of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost_of_moving_house_in_the_United_Kingdom">cost of moving house in the United Kingdom</a>.</p>

<p>The conveyancing process applicable to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudalism">feudal</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fief">fiefdoms</a> heritable by an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heir">heir</a> was that of &quot;re-<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enfeoffment">enfeoffment</a>&quot;, involving the consecutive procedures of paying <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homage_%28feudal%29">homage</a>, paying a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudal_relief">feudal relief</a> and obtaining <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seisin">seisin</a>.</p>

<p>The conveyancing process applicable to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudalism">feudal</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fief">fiefdoms</a> heritable by an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heir">heir</a> was that of &quot;re-<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enfeoffment">enfeoffment</a>&quot;, involving the consecutive procedures of paying <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homage_%28feudal%29">homage</a>, paying a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feudal_relief">feudal relief</a> and obtaining <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seisin">seisin</a>.</p>
