Independent Legal Advice for Your Conveyancing Clients
When a lender asks for a solicitor's certificate of independent legal advice part-way through a purchase, we meet your clients on Microsoft Teams and return the signed certificate so the file can move to settlement.
- Both borrowers or guarantors covered in 1 Teams meeting
- $800 + GST fixed fee
- Usually completed within 24 to 48 hours of receiving the documents
- The conveyancing stays with you
Why this comes up
A Certificate Only a Solicitor Can Sign
Many lenders require a certificate from a practising solicitor confirming that each borrower or guarantor received advice on the loan and guarantee documents before signing. A licensed conveyancer or settlement agent cannot sign that certificate, however experienced they are.
The requirement usually appears late. The loan documents arrive a few weeks before settlement, the lender's conditions include independent legal advice, and the clients need a solicitor they have never met. It is most common on SMSF purchases, where the members sign personal guarantees and the directors of the trustee company sign on its behalf, but it also arises with family guarantees, company borrowers and private lenders.
We do only that part of the file. Your clients remain your clients, and we do not take over, quote on or approach them about the conveyancing.
How it works for you
What to Expect When You Refer a Client
The arrangement is designed to take the certificate off your list without adding work to it.
Both parties in 1 meeting
Where a couple are borrowing or guaranteeing together, both are advised in the same Teams meeting and the $800 + GST fee covers both of them.
Held on Microsoft Teams
Clients join from home or work. We sight identification on screen, go through the documents and confirm understanding before anything is signed.
Timed around settlement
Once we have the complete loan pack, the meeting is usually held and the certificate returned within 24 to 48 hours.
Your file stays yours
We act only on the independent advice. Questions about the contract or settlement are referred back to you.
Certificate sent where you need it
The signed certificate is returned to you, the clients or the lender, whichever you tell us.
Independent of the lender
We act for the borrowers or guarantors alone, not the lender or the other party, which is what the certificate requires.
Have a matter that needs a certificate now?
Send Us the DetailsThe process
From Referral to Signed Certificate
You send the loan pack
The loan agreement, guarantees, the lender's certificate form and any trustee or company documents the lender has issued, with your clients' names and contact details.
We check the documents
We confirm the pack is complete and the certificate form matches the people signing. If something is missing we tell you at this stage, not on the day of the meeting.
We book the Teams meeting
We contact your clients directly and arrange a time that suits them and the settlement date.
We advise and sight identification
We go through the obligations, the guarantee exposure and what happens on default, and confirm each person understands before they sign.
Documents are signed
Where the lender accepts electronic witnessing we witness during the meeting. Where it requires original signatures, we explain how the documents are signed and returned.
Certificate returned
The signed certificate goes back to you or the lender so the loan can proceed to settlement.
What the $800 + GST fee covers
Review of the loan and guarantee documents, 1 Microsoft Teams advice meeting for up to 2 borrowers or guarantors attending together, and a signed certificate for each of them. Where the borrowers need separate advice because their interests differ, or more than 2 people are signing, we quote before starting.
Ready to send a matter through?
Send Us the Loan DocumentsMatters We Commonly Certify
SMSF residential purchases
Contracts exchanged before 10 August 2026 that are now settling, where members and trustee directors sign guarantees.
SMSF commercial purchases
Borrowing to buy business real property, which remains available to SMSFs.
SMSF refinances
A new lender for an existing borrowing arrangement will usually want fresh guarantees and a fresh certificate.
Family guarantees
Parents or relatives guaranteeing a family member's home loan.
Company and trust borrowers
Directors giving personal guarantees for a company or trustee loan.
Private and second mortgage lenders
Lenders who make independent advice a condition of the loans they write.
Not sure whether a certificate is needed?
Ask UsMore on independent legal advice and SMSF borrowing.
Questions Conveyancers Ask
Can a licensed conveyancer sign a certificate of independent legal advice?
Will you contact my clients about their conveyancing?
Are both spouses covered by the $800 + GST fee?
How quickly can it be done?
Do the clients need to attend an office?
Which states do you cover?
What do you need from me?
Have a certificate request?
Contact UsSending Us a Certificate Request
Send the loan documents and your clients' details. We will confirm what the lender needs and book the meeting.
Send Us the Loan Documents