I am in the process of selling my maisonette in Hotwells and the EA has just called to warn that the purchasers are changing their solicitor. I am told that this is due to the fact that the mortgage company will only engage with solicitors on their conveyancing panel. On what basis would a major lender only engage with certain lawyers rather the firm that they want to select for their conveyancing in Hotwells ?

Banks have always had panels of law firms that can represent them, but in recent years big names such as Yorkshire Building Society, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have acted for them for many years.

Lenders blame a rise in fraud by way of justification for the cull – criteria have been tightened as a smaller panel is easier to keep an eye on. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is hearing daily from firms that have been removed from panels. Some do not even realise they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. The buyers are not going to have any sway in the decision.

Would the conveyancing practitioners identified via your search tool execute auction conveyancing in Hotwells?

There are a number of auction practitioners we can connect you with those specialising in auction conveyancing. Hotwells is just one of hundreds of locations where our lawyers have offices.

I am buying a semi-detached house in Hotwells. Conveyancing solicitors are said to be ‘a necessary evil’ but can I do it myself?

Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing in Hotwells you will have to appoint a solicitor on your lender's conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to be made in you doing conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on your lender panel in Hotwells.

My father-in-law has recommend that I instruct his conveyancers in Hotwells. Do I follow his guidance?

No doubt the best way to find a conveyancing practitioner is to seek feedback from friends or family who have actually previously instructed the solicitor you're contemplating using.

A licensed conveyancer dealt with my conveyancing in Hotwells half a dozen years ago having stored my registration documents but has since been shut down – What steps do I now take to get hold of them?

Title deeds, as such, are no longer appropriate for most properties in Hotwells are recorded electronically at Land Registry. Should you need to prove ownership or are selling or refinancing your conveyancer should obtain up to date copies of the register from the Land Registry in any case.

If you feel there may be other documents or you have any other queries please e-mail your request with details of the transaction and documents you need to filerequest@clc-uk.org. The CLC will let you know what information they have and any additional information they may need before they are in a position to identify and send the documents to you. Following an intervention it may take some time for the CLC to access archived files and documents, but your request will be actioned with reasonable haste.