Having spent time researching online forums for a recommended lawyer in Carlisle, many advise that I must use a CQS assured lawyer. What is CQS?
Carlisle Conveyancing Quality Scheme practices have obtained accreditation under the Law Society's Scheme (CQS) CQS was established to establish evidence of quality standards in the home legal process. CQS helps buyers and sellers to recognise practices who provide a quality residential conveyancing. Carlisle is one of the many areas in England and Wales in which CQS have a presence. The conveyancing scheme requires law firms to undergo a strict assessment, compulsory training, self-certification, random audits and yearly assessments in order to maintain CQS status. It is available to solicitors and not licensed conveyancers and has the support of the Legal Ombudsman.
I own a terraced Georgian house in Carlisle. Conveyancing solicitor represented me and Barclays . I did a free Land Registry search last week and I saw two entries: the first freehold, the second leasehold under the matching address. Is it worth asking Barclays to clarify?
You should review the Freehold register you have again and check the Charges Register as there may be mention of a lease. The best way to be sure that you are also the registered proprietor of the leasehold and freehold title as well is to check (£3). It is not completely unheard of in Carlisle and other areas of the country and poses no real issues for owners other than when they buy they have to account for both freehold and leasehold interests when dealing with lenders. You can also check the position with the conveyancing practitioner who conducted the purchase.
Taking into account that I am about to part with hundreds of thousands of pounds on a garden flat in Carlisle I would like to have a conversation with the lawyer regarding thehouse move before giving the go ahead to the firm. Can this be arranged?
This is something that we recommend - we would be delighted to talk to you we do not take any clients on without you speaking to the conveyancer due to be conducting your property ownership legalities in Carlisle.There is no ‘factory style conveyancing’ - each client is unique person, not a file reference. The practices that we put you in touch with believe that the fees you are quoted for residential conveyancing in Carlisle should be the amount on the final invoice that you end up paying.
Am I better off to go with a Carlisle conveyancing practitioner based in the vicinity that I am buying? I have an old university friend who can perform the conveyancing but his firm is located over three hundred miles away.
The benefit of a high street Carlisle conveyancing practice is that you can visit the firm to execute paperwork, present your identification documents and pester them where appropriate. They will also have local insight which is a bonus. That being said nothing is more important than finding someone that will do a good and efficient job. If you know people who instructed your friend and the majority were happy that must surpass using an unknown Carlisle conveyancing solicitor just because they are round the corner.
I recently discovered that one of the partners of the solicitors undertaking the purchase conveyancing in Carlisle is a relative of the owners that we are buying from. Is this allowed?
As long as there is no conflict of interest this is allowable. Where you are needing mortgage finance then the lender may have a say as many mortgage companies have specific requirements concerning this. For example for Barclays plc as of 25/9/2025, the requirements read as follows :