Conveyancing Solicitor Sydney
A conveyancing solicitor in Sydney manages the legal side of buying or selling property: preparing or reviewing the contract for sale, carrying out searches and enquiries, advising on your rights and obligations, and completing settlement so ownership is transferred and registered. Because a solicitor is a lawyer, we can also advise and act for you if a dispute arises before or after settlement.
Reviewed by Sam Saadat, Principal Lawyer, Invictus Legal. Last reviewed: 12 October 2026.
Why choose an expert conveyancing solicitor in Sydney?
Choosing the best conveyancing solicitor in Sydney gives you comprehensive legal protection. While many people search for a conveyancing solicitor near me, it pays to choose a property conveyancing Sydney team that offers more than document processing. Buying or selling property is often the largest financial transaction you will make. A careful review of the contract and the documents attached to it can reveal issues that affect the value or use of the property, such as easements, covenants, zoning, unapproved building work, or matters disclosed in strata records. Identifying these before you are bound gives you the chance to negotiate, ask questions or walk away.
For more detail on our property work, see our Property Law and Conveyancing pages.
What does a property conveyancing solicitor do?
Prepare the contract for sale (for sellers) or review it and advise on special conditions (for buyers).
Check that the seller has attached the documents the law requires. In NSW, a vendor must attach the prescribed documents to the contract before the purchaser signs it (Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) s 52A).
Review the title search, the planning certificate issued by the council (Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) s 10.7), and any strata or building information.
Advise on the cooling-off period, deposits, finance and the settlement timetable.
Calculate adjustments for council rates, water rates and strata levies.
Coordinate with your lender and the other party's representative, and complete settlement electronically through an electronic lodgement network (ELN).
Title to most land in NSW is registered under the Real Property Act 1900 (NSW), and the transfer is recorded on the register after settlement.
How does the cooling-off period work in NSW?
For most contracts to buy residential property in NSW there is a cooling-off period that starts when the contract is made. It ends at 5 pm on the fifth business day after the contract was made, or on the tenth business day for an off-the-plan contract (Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) s 66S). If you rescind during the cooling-off period, you forfeit 0.25% of the purchase price to the vendor (Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) s 66V).
There is no cooling-off period if the property is bought at public auction, if the contract is made on the same day the property was passed in at auction, if it is made by exercising an option, or if the purchaser provides a certificate waiving it (Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) s 66T). Get advice before you sign or bid.
How much does a conveyancing solicitor cost?
Our fixed fee for a standard residential purchase or sale in NSW is $2,200 incl. GST, plus disbursements such as search fees, certificates and registration fees, which are itemised in your costs agreement. Non-standard transactions are quoted according to the scope of work involved. Every client receives a written costs agreement before we commence any work, in accordance with the Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW), so you have full transparency from the start.
We offer a free 15-minute Express Consultation and a free 30-minute Initial Consultation, in person at our Marrickville office or by video.
Common issues when buying or selling property in Sydney?
Special conditions that shift risk onto the buyer, or that the seller has not properly disclosed.
Delays in finance approval that put pressure on the settlement date.
Disputes about inclusions, fixtures and the condition of the property.
A caveat on the title. A person claiming an interest in land can lodge a caveat with the Registrar-General (Real Property Act 1900 (NSW) s 74F), which can stop a sale or refinance from proceeding until it is removed.
A party failing to settle on time, which may lead to a notice to complete.
We also review and draft commercial contracts through our Contract Drafting and Review service, and act in property disputes.
The conveyancing process in NSW explained
As experienced conveyancing lawyers in Sydney, we act as your representative throughout. The process usually runs in four stages: preparing or reviewing the contract; exchange of contracts, when the contract becomes binding and the deposit is paid; the settlement period, during which searches, finance and adjustments are finalised; and settlement, when the balance is paid and the transfer is lodged for registration. The standard-form contract commonly used in NSW provides for settlement 42 days after the contract date, but the parties can agree a different period.
Call our office on 02 8553 0500 or book online. For urgent matters, such as an arrest, a bail application or urgent injunctive relief, call our 24/7 urgent line on 0410 600 230.
This page is general information only and is not legal advice. Contact Invictus Legal to discuss your situation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a conveyancing solicitor and a conveyancer?
A licensed conveyancer can handle the transaction itself. A solicitor can do the same work and can also advise on wider legal issues and act for you if a dispute arises, including in court.
How long is the cooling-off period in NSW?
For most residential property contracts, the cooling-off period ends at 5 pm on the fifth business day after the contract was made, or the tenth business day for an off-the-plan contract. There is no cooling-off period for purchases at public auction (Conveyancing Act 1919 (NSW) ss 66S, 66T).
How long does the conveyancing process take in Sydney?
The standard-form contract commonly used in NSW provides for settlement 42 days after the contract date, but the parties can agree a shorter or longer period depending on finance and other requirements.
Do I need a solicitor to buy or sell property?
You are not legally required to use one, but it is strongly recommended. A mistake in the contract or a missed issue on the title can be costly and difficult to fix after you are bound.
What happens if a dispute arises before settlement?
The parties' representatives will usually try to resolve it by negotiation. If that fails, your solicitor will advise you on your rights, which may include serving a notice to complete, terminating the contract or starting proceedings.