I am nearing exchange of contracts for my house in Saltney and the EA has just e-mailed to advise that the purchasers are changing their property lawyer. I am told that this is due to the fact that the bank will only work with property lawyers on their approved list. On what basis would a leading lender only engage with certain law firms rather the firm that they want to appoint for their conveyancing in Saltney ?

UK lenders have always had an approved set of law firms that can act for them, but in the past few years big names such as Yorkshire Building Society, have considered and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have acted for them for more than 25 years.

Lenders point to the increase in fraud by way of justification for the pruning – criteria have been narrowed as a smaller panel is easier to maintain. Banks tend not to reveal 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. Plenty of firms are unaware that they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. The purchasers are unlikely to have any impact on this.

Some advice if I may. My Saltney lawyer is assuring me that she is duty bound toapply for Saltney conveyancing searches resulting from the fact thatthe firm are on the Lloydsconveyancing panel. Is this really necessary?

You have limited options available to you. As you are obtaining a mortgage with a mortgage company your conveyancer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your property lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of your lender’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to comply with the CML Handbook provisions . Even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out Saltney conveyancing searches.

We are purchasing a flat and need a conveyancing solicitor in Saltney who is on the HSBC approved panel. Can you recommend a local 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 HSBC . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Saltney.

I am buying a new build apartment in Saltney. Conveyancing is a frightening process at the best of times but I have never purchased a new build flat before. Can you give me some examples of some of the questions asked in new build legal work.

Here is a sample of a few leasehold new build questions that you may expect your new-build leasehold conveyancing in Saltney

The Lease must contain a provision on behalf of the Vendor to pay the service charges in respect of unoccupied units in order to ensure that all services can be provided. Where service of notices and proceedings can be at the property demised please confirm that this can be amended to include simultaneous services at the Lessees’ solicitors’ offices where the Lessee from time to time is not resident in the UK - such solicitors may be varied by notice in writing to the Landlord from time to time but otherwise will be as previously specified. The Landlord must covenant to assume the management if the Management Company goes into liquidation or otherwise defaults in running the management scheme. Investor purchasers must be able to freely grant unsecured tenancies at market rents without requiring any consents. Will the freehold then be transferred for a nominal consideration (not exceeding £100) to the Management Company?

I need to instruct a conveyancing lawyer in Saltney for my house move. Is there any facility to check a solicitor's complaints history with the legal regulator?

One may read presented Solicitor Regulator Association (SRA) determinations resulting from investigations commenced on or after 1 January 2008. Visit Check a solicitor's record. For information about the period before 1 January 2008, or to check a solicitors history, telephone 0870 606 2555, 08.00 - 18.00 any week day save for Tuesday when lines open at 9.30am. International callers, call +44 (0)121 329 6800. The regulator could monitor call for training requirements.