Conveyancing Lawyers Caulfield

Experienced property lawyers for buying, selling and transferring property

Buying or selling property is a major financial and legal transaction. The paperwork may look straightforward, but the details in a contract, Section 32 statement, title or settlement can have significant consequences.

If you are buying or selling property in Caulfield, Caulfield North, Caulfield South or the surrounding Melbourne suburbs, Littlejohn Legal can assist with the legal side of your transaction.

Our property lawyers and conveyancing team provide practical advice throughout the process, from reviewing contracts before you commit through to settlement and property transfer.

Need help with a property transaction? Contact Littlejohn Legal to discuss your circumstances with our legal team.

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Contract and Section 32 reviews

You do not necessarily need to wait until you have committed to a property before seeking legal advice.

A contract review can be particularly valuable before making an offer or signing a contract, especially where the property has features that require additional consideration.

A Littlejohn Legal property lawyer can help you understand the legal documents and identify matters that may warrant further consideration before you proceed.

What is a Section 32 statement?

A Section 32 statement, also known as a vendor statement, is a legal document provided by the seller to a prospective buyer in Victoria.

It contains prescribed information about the property, including certain details relating to:

• Mortgages

• Easements

• Covenants

• Zoning

• Outgoings

• Other matters affecting the title

Importantly, a Section 32 is not a building inspection or a guarantee about the physical condition of a property. Consumer Affairs Victoria notes that it does not generally provide information about the condition of buildings or whether buildings comply with building regulations.

That is why legal review and appropriate property due diligence are separate but complementary parts of the buying process.

Property transfers and more complex transactions

Not every property transaction involves a straightforward sale from one unrelated owner to another.

Littlejohn Legal also assists with property matters involving transfers, family arrangements, subdivisions, partition agreements, mortgage documentation and other property-law issues.

For example, you may need legal advice when:

• Transferring property between family members

• Changing ownership arrangements

• Dealing with a property following a relationship breakdown

• Transferring an interest in property

• Purchasing property through a more complex ownership structure

• Subdividing land

• Dealing with development-related property matters

• Arranging mortgage or guarantee documentation

These transactions can have legal and tax consequences that are not always apparent from the transfer document itself.

Land transfer duty, commonly called stamp duty, generally applies when property is acquired in Victoria, although exemptions, concessions and special rules can apply depending on the transaction and circumstances.

If your transaction is outside a standard purchase or sale, it is worth obtaining legal advice before documents are signed or ownership is changed.

Residential and commercial conveyancing

Littlejohn Legal works across property law and conveyancing for different types of property transactions.

Residential property

We can assist with residential property transactions involving:

• Houses

• Units and apartments

• Investment properties

• Property purchases

• Property sales

• Transfers of ownership

• Contract and Section 32 reviews

Commercial property

Commercial property transactions can involve additional considerations around leases, financing, ownership structures, development and the intended use of the property.

Littlejohn Legal’s broader property practice includes commercial property matters, leasing, private lending, guarantee and mortgage documentation, subdivisions and other property-law services.

Where your property transaction involves issues outside straightforward conveyancing, having access to a broader legal practice can be useful.

Why choose Littlejohn Legal for conveyancing in Caulfield?

Choosing a conveyancing lawyer is not simply about finding someone to process the paperwork. You want to know that your legal documents are being handled properly and that you can obtain advice when an issue arises.

Littlejohn Legal brings together property law and conveyancing experience within an established Victorian legal practice.

Experience across property law

Littlejohn Legal has supported clients across Victoria for more than 30 years. Its property team assists buyers, sellers and developers with property acquisition, contracts of sale, subdivisions and other property matters.

Lawyers and conveyancing professionals

The team includes lawyers with experience in property law and conveyancing, including Principal and Founder David Littlejohn, whose practice areas include property law and conveyancing. The firm’s property team also includes lawyers with experience in conveyancing and real estate transactions.

Clear, practical communication

Littlejohn Legal’s approach is built around client-first service, clarity and communication. That matters when you are dealing with contracts, settlement dates and legal terminology that may be unfamiliar.

You should be able to ask questions and understand the advice you receive.

Broader legal support when you need it

Property matters can overlap with family law, commercial law, estate planning or disputes.

Littlejohn Legal is a broader legal practice with expertise across property, family law, commercial law, wills and estates, litigation and other areas.

That broader capability can be relevant when a property transaction forms part of a larger legal matter.

What happens during conveyancing?

While every transaction is different, a typical property purchase or sale involves several stages.

1. Review the legal documents

For buyers, this may involve reviewing the contract of sale and Section 32 statement before you commit to the transaction.

For sellers, it can involve preparing the relevant sale documentation and ensuring the required information is provided.

2. Progress the transaction

Once the contract has been signed, your lawyer or conveyancer works through the required legal and administrative steps, communicates with the relevant parties and deals with issues that arise.

3. Prepare for settlement

Before settlement, the transaction needs to be checked and the required transfer and settlement arrangements completed.

In Victoria, land transfer duty generally needs to be paid before a property transfer can be registered, usually at settlement. A conveyancer, solicitor or bank will commonly handle the duty payment process on the purchaser’s behalf.

4. Settlement and transfer

Settlement is the point at which the required funds and documents are exchanged and the transaction proceeds to transfer ownership.

Littlejohn Legal can assist with the legal work required to bring the transaction through to completion.

Local conveyancing for Caulfield and surrounding suburbs

Littlejohn Legal services clients across Melbourne and Victoria, with offices in Dingley Village and Melbourne CBD. The firm also provides remote legal services, making it possible to work with the team without needing to be located directly in Caulfield.

If your property is in Caulfield, Caulfield North, Caulfield South or Caulfield East, our team can discuss your circumstances and explain how we can assist.

We can also assist clients with property matters across Melbourne and Victoria.

Frequently asked questions about conveyancing

Do I need a lawyer or conveyancer when buying property in Victoria?

You should consider obtaining professional legal assistance for a property transaction. A legal practitioner can provide legal advice and prepare or review property documentation, while licensed conveyancers can undertake conveyancing work within the scope of their licensing. Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends using a legal practitioner or licensed conveyancer if you are not confident handling the transaction yourself.

Should I have the contract reviewed before making an offer?

It can be useful to have the contract and Section 32 reviewed before you commit to purchasing a property. Consumer Affairs Victoria specifically recommends that buyers have these documents checked by their own legal practitioner or conveyancer before buying.

What does a conveyancing lawyer do?

A conveyancing lawyer can assist with the legal work involved in buying, selling or transferring property. This can include reviewing or preparing contracts, dealing with property documentation, coordinating settlement requirements and advising on legal issues that arise during the transaction.

What is included in a Section 32 statement?

A Section 32 statement contains prescribed information about matters affecting the property, including certain title details, mortgages, easements, covenants, zoning and outgoings. It is not a substitute for a building or pest inspection.

How much does conveyancing cost in Victoria?

The cost depends on the transaction and the legal work required. There may also be disbursements and government charges associated with the matter. Consumer Affairs Victoria recommends obtaining a written quote and discussing disbursements with your legal practitioner or conveyancer.

For a specific estimate, contact Littlejohn Legal with details of your property transaction.

Can Littlejohn Legal help with property transfers?

Yes. Property transfers form part of Littlejohn Legal’s property law services, including family transfers and other property matters.

Can you help with commercial property?

Yes. Littlejohn Legal provides property and commercial legal services, including commercial property-related matters, leasing, private lending and mortgage and guarantee documentation.

Talk to Littlejohn Legal about your Caulfield property transaction

Whether you are preparing to buy, getting ready to sell or dealing with a more complicated property transfer, getting legal advice early can help you understand the transaction before you are committed to it.

Littlejohn Legal combines property and conveyancing experience with the broader capabilities of an established Victorian law firm.

If you need conveyancing lawyers in Caulfield, contact Littlejohn Legal to discuss your property matter.