My wife and I have recently appointed a conveyancing solicitor in Leigh On Sea. I I would like to check if they are accepted on the Barclays Direct conveyancing panel. Can you or the lender confirm if they are on the panel?

You should e-mail your conveyancer and enquire if they are on the lender panel. Alternatively you can call Barclays Direct who may be able to help.

I used Stirling Law several years ago for my conveyancing in Leigh On Sea. I now require my file but cannot find the solicitor. What do I do?

Do call the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to assist in tracing your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Leigh On Sea of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I'm purchasing a new build house in Leigh On Sea with a mortgage from Chelsea Building Society. The builders refused to budge the amount so I negotiated five thousand pounds worth of additionals instead. The house builders rep told me not inform my solicitor about the extras as it will adversely affect my mortgage with Chelsea Building Society. Is this normal?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the developer of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

Do I need to be wary by 3rd parties that I am dealing with are recommending an internet conveyancing firm rather than a local Leigh On Sea conveyancing company?

As is the case with lots of service providers, often recommendations from connections can be most helpful. But there are many people with a vested interest in a conveyancing deal; estate agents, mortgage brokers and mortgage companies may put forward solicitors to choose. On occasion these conveyancers might be known to one of the organisations as one of the best in their field, but sometimes there is an underlying financial incentive behind the endorsement. You have the right to select your preferred lawyer. You need to be aware that some lenders specify a panel list of conveyancers you must use for the lender related work in your house move.

I need to instruct a conveyancing practitioner in Leigh On Sea for my home move. Can I see a firm’s complaints history with the legal regulator?

Members of the public may find presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) decisions resulting from inquisitions commenced on or after Jan 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. To find records about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors history, ring 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 09.30 - 18.00 Tuesday. For non-uk callers, use +44 (0)121 329 6800. The SRA may monitor call for training reasons.