It has come to my attention via my mortgage broker that my Soho solicitor is not on the lender Solicitor panel. What can I do to check?

The first thing you need to do is to contact your Soho lawyer directly. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to advise you of the situation. Where they are not on the panel they may recommend you to a Soho conveyancing practice that is on the conveyancing panel for your lender.

What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Soho? Why is this being asked of me?

Soho conveyancing solicitors and indeed property lawyers throughout the UK have a duty under Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules to check the ID of any client with a view to ensure that clients are who they say they are.

Conveyancing clients will need to provide two forms of certified ID; proof of ID (typically a Passport or Driving Licence) and proof of address (typically a Utility Bill less than 3 months old).

Proof of the origin of monies is also necessary in compliance with the money laundering laws as solicitors are required to ensure that the money you are utilising to acquire a property (whether it be the deposit for exchange or the full purchase price if you are a cash purchaser) has come from an acceptable source (such as employment savings) rather than the proceeds of criminal behaviour.

I have a decision in principle. The bank mentioned the mortgage came with free conveyancing. Does this mean I have to appoint their panel conveyancer as I would prefer to appoint a Soho based conveyancing firm?

You should check but the the probability is that give you one of their panel conveyancers where you want the "fee-free" incentive. Speak to the mortgage company and ask if they offer you a monetary alternative. Some banks have previously offered a £250 cashback as a further option in which case that money can go towards your preferred conveyancing solicitor near Soho.

I have justfound out that Stirling Law have been shut down. They carried out my conveyancing in Soho for a purchase of a freehold house 10 months ago. How can I establish that my home is in my name in the name of the previous owner?

The quickest way to see if the property is registered to you, you can make a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Soho conveyancing specialists.

My husband and I are FTB’s - agreed a price, but the agent informed us that the vendor will only issue a contract if we instruct the agent's chosen conveyancers as they need an ‘expedited deal’. We would rather use a local conveyancer who is familiar with conveyancing in Soho

It is highly unlikely the vendors are behind this. If they desire ‘a quick sale', alienating a motivated purchaser is going to damage their objectives. Try to communicate with the vendors directly and explain that (a)you are serious purchasers (b)you are excited to move forward, with finances in place © you have nothing to sell (d) you intend to proceed fast (e)but you will continue to use your own,trusted Soho conveyancing solicitors - as opposed tothose that will earn the estate agent a commission or achieve conveyancing figures demanded by HQ.