I was told yesterday by my lender that my Carisbrooke property lawyer is not on the lender Solicitor panel. What can I do to be certain that this is indeed the case?

Your first step should be to call your Carisbrooke conveyancer. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to notify you of the situation. Where they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the conveyancing panel for your lender.

We're in Carisbrooke, First timers buying with a mortgage (lender is Santander , and our lawyer is on the Santander conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the Santander conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no property lawyer should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

I appreciate that there are debates on Chancel Insurance on online forums. Am I compelled to have this when acquiring a residence in Carisbrooke? or I am told that there is historic law that means some owners of property residing in a parish church boundary will be compelled to contribute towards maintenance to the chancel within the church. Is this appropriate for conveyancing in Carisbrooke?

Unless a previous purchase of the premises took place after 12 October 2013 you could expect solicitors delivering conveyancing in Carisbrooke to continue to advocate a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

In my capacity as executor for the will of my aunt I am selling a property in Cardiff but reside in Carisbrooke. My conveyancer (based 200 kilometers awayhas requested that I execute a statutory declaration ahead of completion. Could you suggest a conveyancing solicitor in Carisbrooke to attest and place their company stamp on the document?

Technically speaking you should not be required to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally any notary public or qualified solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are Carisbrooke based

How and when do I pay stamp duty chargeable for my Carisbrooke property purchase?

The majority of solicitors will fill out a stamp duty return for you during your Carisbrooke conveyancing transaction for you to sign. After completion your solicitor will submit the STL application to the Tax Authorities and - as long as they have the money - settle any Stamp Duty due on your behalf.