Good thing or bad to have same solicitors as sellers?

rabbitmoon

I just made an offer on my first house, and had it accepted. Am now looking for conveyencers. I want to go local as despite being slightly more expensive, I feel it would be less prone to problems.

The solicitors I'm thinking of going with are also the seller's. I think this would be mainly advantageous (transference of information would be quick, they already have previous records/info of the house from when it was originally purchased). Are there any disadvantages I might be overlooking? There aren't any conflicts of interest, and I'm hoping its a straightforward sale.

Thanks.

Flashmanchop

It will be breaching various rules, and a huge conflict of interset.

rabbitmoon

Thank you.

Which rules will it breach?

mrsmchapman

You can use a different solicitor within the same practice without conflict. It depends on the practice size.

PurpleJay

One individual cannot act in the interests of both parties at the same time if any dispute arises. As others said two solicitors at the same practice shoud be ok.

princeofpounds

Your solicitor will represent your mortgage lender too. They may have a restricted panel. You should check.

Using 2 solicitors from the same practice is ok and can, but not necessarily, be slightly quicker.

However, I would never do it in two situations.

1) the seller is giving a lot of business to the firm (eg developer or estate agent recommendation). This unbalances the incentives an in a dispute you might find your own solicitor dumps you.

2) there is a genuinely contentious and tricky issue (in which case you need to be especially careful)

rabbitmoon

Thanks guys, that's helpful. Yes, two different solicitors within same practice. Your responses have been useful.

Errata

PurpleJay wrote: »

One individual cannot act in the interests of both parties at the same time if any dispute arises. As others said two solicitors at the same practice shoud be ok.

Clients' contract is with the practice, not with an individual employee within it.

princeofpounds

That is true, but the rules over representation apply per solicitor.

phill99

Don't do it. Just don't do it.

chickaroonee

I wouldn't do it, as the buyer you have by far the biggest risk to bear. As a seller I might.