I can't travel far from Mersea Island. Is there a reason why all Mersea Island property lawyers aren't automatically on all lender panels?

Pre- 2008 most mortgage companies demonstrated an attitude to risk which differs from the current day. The FSA in 2010 carried out a thematic review into mortgage fraud which concluded: know the solicitors on your panel. Consequently, lenders have since looked to extract more data from law firms about their operations and the individuals employed by them and set certain criteria such as completing a minimum number of transactions. Thousands of law practices have found themselves excluded from lender panels even though they had 100% healthy track record, no complaints and no claims and didn't just 'dabble' in conveyancing. Many firms were never going to satisfy the criteria of volume of transactions the mortgage companies required.

We are planning to acquire a house and require a conveyancing solicitor in Mersea Island who is on the Kent Reliance conveyancing 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 Kent Reliance . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Mersea Island.

We are buying a house and the conveyancer has mentioned Chancel Repair for which the property could be liable because it falls into the area of such a church. She has suggested insurance. Is this strictly required for conveyancing in Mersea Island

Unless a previous purchase of the premises completed post 12 October 2013 you can expect lawyers delivering conveyancing in Mersea Island to remain encouraging a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

My husband and I are novice buyers - had an offer accepted, but the agent advised that the seller will only move forward if we use their recommended solicitors as they want an ‘expedited deal’. We would rather use a family conveyancer with experience of conveyancing in Mersea Island

It is unlikely the sellers are behind this. If they require ‘a quick sale', taking such a hostile approach to a genuine buyer is going to damage their objectives. Speak to the vendors direct and make the point that (a)you are serious buyers (b)you are ready to go, with mortgage lined up © you have nothing to sell (d) you wish to move quickly (e)but you are going to use your preferred Mersea Island conveyancing solicitors - not the ones that will earn their estate agent a commission or meet his conveyancing figures set by senior management.

Are there any apps to help search for a Mersea Island conveyancing solicitor on the mortgage company conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to twentymiles to attend the conveyancer.

You can use the find a conveyancing panel search on this page. Please choose the lender and your location, in this case Mersea Island and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest Mersea Island. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the lender solicitor panel.