We are intending to buy a 1 bedroom flat in Shirebrook with a mortgage. We like our Shirebrook lawyer, but the mortgage company advise she’s not on their "panel". It appears that we have little option but to instruct one of the lender panel solicitors or retain our Shirebrook property lawyer and pay for one of their panel lawyers to represent them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?

No, not really. Your mortgage offer is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your Shirebrook conveyancing solicitor to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.

Do the conveyancing practitioners that you recommend conduct auction conveyancing in Shirebrook?

There are a few niche practitioners we can connect you with those conducting auction conveyancing. Shirebrook is one of our locations where our lawyers are based.

We see that you have a search directory identifying solicitors on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. Do companies pay you a referral fee if I instruct them for our own conveyancing in Shirebrook?

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

My wife and I have recently appointed a conveyancing solicitor in Shirebrook. I I would like to check if they are accepted on the Santander approved list of lawyers. Could you help?

You should contact your solicitor and ask them if they are on the lender panel. Alternatively you should get in touch with Santander who may be able to help.

My step-mother purchased her house in Shirebrook in 2007. She has been married, divorced and in recent months got married again. She now wishes to dispose of the Shirebrook property. I believe she will simply be asked to provide a copy of the marriage papers to the solicitor but she is anxious it could delay the conveyancing. Should she appoint a lawyer to update the title information for the house?

The is no need to bring up to date the title for the property as long as you have the evidence required to demonstrate how the name change has come about.

The purchaser’s conveyancer should check the title entries and ask for evidence to establish the change of name for instance marriage certificates.