Me and my husband are buying a maisonette in East Yorkshire. My Conveyancer is not listed on the mortgage company approved list. Can I still use my East Yorkshire conveyancing solicitor notwithstanding that they are excluded from the bank approved list?

Various options include

• Complete the purchase with your existing East Yorkshire conveyancing practitioner but your bank will no doubt instruct a property lawyer from their approved list. This will result in additional fees and probable delay.
• Appoint a new property lawyer to conduct the conveyancing, ensuring that they are on the lender conveyancing panel.
• Convince your lawyer to do everything possible to get listed on the lender’s conveyancing panel

I require conveyancing for a flat in a relatively new development (seven years old) in East Yorkshire. The vast majority the appartments are already sold. Do I need carry out the local searches as part of conveyancing in East Yorkshire?

If you getting a loan, your bank will insist on some (many) of the searches so you'll have no choice. If not, then East Yorkshire conveyancing searches are optional. Your solicitor, will 'advise', perhaps in the strongest possible terms, that you should not go ahead without searches, but he or she is duty bound in this regard. One thing to bear in mind; if you are likely to sell the house one day, it may be of interest to your future buyer what the searches contain. Sometimes houses with no practical issues can still throw up adverse search results. But if you choose to instruct your lawyer to proceed without searches then your lawyer will have to follow your instructions or it may be necessary to instruct a new lawyer for your conveyancing in East Yorkshire.

We are looking to buy a flat and require a conveyancing solicitor in East Yorkshire who is on the Virgin Money solicitor panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a conveyancing firm?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Virgin Money . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in East Yorkshire.

Am I right to be wary that third parties that I am dealing with are encouraging me to use a national conveyancing firm rather than a local East Yorkshire conveyancing practice?

As is the case with many professional services, often referrals from connections can be very helpful. But there are many people with a keen interest in a conveyancing matter; estate agents, mortgage brokers and mortgage companies may recommend conveyancers to choose. Sometimes these lawyers might be known to one of the organisations as one of the best in their field, but occasionally there exists a financial incentive behind the recommendation. You are free to appoint your own conveyancer. You need to be aware that some mortgage providers have an approved list of solicitors you must use for the mortgage related work in your home move.

I need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer in East Yorkshire for my home move. Can I review a firm’s complaints history with the profession’s regulator?

Anyone may find presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations arising from investigations started on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a firm's record, call 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For callers outside the UK, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA sometimes monitor telephone calls for training requirements.