We are looking to buy a flat and need a conveyancing solicitor in Southampton who is on the HSBC conveyancing panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a solicitor?

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 Southampton.

We're in Southampton, First time buyers buying with a mortgage (lender is RBS , and our lawyer is on the RBS conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the RBS conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancing practitioner should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

Should commercial conveyancing searches disclose impending roadworks that could impact a commercial site in Southampton?

Many commercial conveyancing solicitors in Southampton will execute a SiteSolutions Highways report as it reduces the time that conveyancers invest in researching accurate data on highways that impact buildings and development assets in Southampton. The search result provides definitive information on the adoption status of roads, footpaths and verges, as well as the implication of traffic schemes and the rights of way surrounding a commercial development sites in Southampton.

For every commercial conveyancing transaction in Southampton it is crucial to investigate the adoption status of roads surrounding a site. Failure to identify developments where adoption procedures have not been dealt with adequately could cause delays to Southampton commercial conveyancing deals as well as present a risk to future plans for the site. These searches are not conducted for residential conveyancing in Southampton.

I've recently found out that there is a flying freehold issue on a property I have offered on two weeks back in what should have been a straight forward, chain free conveyancing. Southampton is the location of the property. Can you shed any light on this issue?

Flying freeholds in Southampton are rare but are more likely to exist in relation to terraced houses. Even where you use a solicitor outside Southampton you must be sure that your lawyer goes through the deeds very carefully. Your mortgage company may require your conveyancing solicitor to take out an indemnity policy. Some of the more diligent conveyancing solicitors in Southampton may determine that this is not enough and that the deeds be re-written to give you the most up to date legal protection. If so, the next door neighbour also had to sign up to the revised deeds.It is possible that your lender will not accept the situation so the sooner you find out the better. You should also check with your insurance broker as to whether they will insure a flying freehold premises.

My wife and I have recently appointed a conveyancing solicitor in Southampton. I I would like to check if they are on the bank's conveyancing panel. Could you advise?

You should phone the lawyer to check if they are on the lender's panel. Alternatively please get in touch with us and we can make some checks for you. Should the firm not be on the bank panel we can certainly arrange a specialist conveyancing solicitor in Southampton on the approved list for your lender.