Finding A Solicitor
What is the best way to find a solicitor?
The best way to find a solicitor is by personal recommendation: if you know someone who's dealt with a solicitor and where they've dealt with them satisfactorily, get the name and address of that solicitor. If you haven't got anybody you can contact in that way, I would suggest you look up a directory to find a solicitor, something like the law society's directory of local solicitors.
Where can I find a solicitor?
You can find solicitors pretty well on every high street. There are at least 100,000 solicitors across the country, so it shouldn't be too difficult to find a solicitor.
What is the difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer?
The difference between a solicitor and a conveyancer is that a solicitor has qualified by taking an educational route to qualify as a solicitor. A licensed conveyancer is a person who has qualified through an educational route to become a licensed conveyancer dealing just with the conveyancing of property.
Can the buyer and the seller use the same solicitor?
No. A buyer and seller can't normally use the same solicitor: there is what is called a "conflict of interest" because what the buyer might want the seller might not want and vice versa. So it's in the best interest of both parties if they are separately represented, and don't use the same solicitor.
Should I choose a solicitor based on my mortgage lender or estate agent's recommendations?
You should normally choose a solicitor who you feel is going to do the job for you. Now, if that means they come through your estate agent's or your lender's recommendation, then so be it. But you should have an entirely free and unfettered choice of who your solicitor is.
What questions should I ask my solicitor before instructing them?
Before instructing your solicitor you should first of all ask them the question whether they do the kind of work that you hope that they would do for you. If they do, ask the solicitor the further questions of what would they charge, and how busy they are.
Will my solicitor deal with my case personally?
A solicitor will normally deal with the case personally, or will supervise one of his or her members of staff who will deal with your case. So there will be an element of personal involvement or personal supervision.
What is the Law Society's TransAction Protocol?
The Law Society's TransAction Protocol is a scheme that the Law Society have promoted to try to streamline the conveyancing process. The TransAction Protocol introduces simpler forms and simpler procedures so that the conveyancing transaction passes quickly.
