Is the fact that my solicitor in Hotwells is not identified on my lender's conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the quality of the firm’s conveyancing?

That is more than likely an incorrect assumption to make. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. Just recently a report by the solicitors regulator revealed that over three quarters of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 5 reasons are as follows: (1) lack of transactions (2) the solicitor is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. Should you be concerned you should simply call the Hotwells conveyancing practice and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for your lender.

My brother-in-law has suggested I instruct a conveyancing solicitor in Hotwells. I I would like to check whether they are on the Halifax approved list of lawyers. Can you help?

The first thing to do is e-mail the lawyer and ask them if they can act for the lender. Otherwise you can get in touch with Halifax who may be able to help.

four months have elapsed following my purchase conveyancing in Hotwells concluded. I have checked the Land Registry site which shows that I paid £200,000 when infact I paid £180,000. Why the discrepancy?

The price paid figure is taken from the application to register the purchase. It is the figure included in the Transfer (the legal deed which transfers the property from one person to the other) and referred to as the 'consideration' or purchase price. You can report an error in the price paid figure using the LR online form. In most cases errors result from typos so at first glance the figure. Do report it so they can double check and advise.

I have been advised by a few estate agents in Hotwells to locate a property lawyer on your site. What’s the financial incentive for Estate Agents to market your services over alternative conveyancing organisations?

We refuse to offer any financial incentive for sending work our way. We thought it would be too underhand a fee as members of the public would think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

I note that you have a search directory identifying law firms on the mortgage company conveyancing panel. Do Hotwells conveyancing firms pay you a commission if I instruct them for my conveyancing?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the lender conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Hotwells.