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Another solicitor question

I need to choose a solicitor... Do I need to have one that's close by? Does it make much difference if they aren't local?

Comments

  • katsu
    katsu Posts: 4,994 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Mortgage-free Glee!
    I didn't use local solicitors. Factor in a bit of extra time for posting documents as you can't hand deliver.
    Debt at highest: £8k. Debt Free 31/12/2009. Original MFD May 2036, MF Dec 2018.
  • nubbins
    nubbins Posts: 725 Forumite
    No, mine is in Northampton, i'm in berkshire. Go for the cheapest with the best reviews/recommendations/word of mouth.
  • TBagpuss
    TBagpuss Posts: 11,236 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Having one who is local has some advantages - you can physically go in if something needs to be provided or signed at short notice, and they are more likely to be familiar with local agents / other lawyers (if your seller has a local lawyer) etc. But it is not essential.
    All posts are my personal opinion, not formal advice Always get proper, professional advice (particularly about anything legal!)
  • stator
    stator Posts: 7,441 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    If you have a personal recommendation for a good conveyencer I would go with them, even if they are on the other side of the country. Local is preferable but there are more important criteria
    Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.
  • AnnieO1234
    AnnieO1234 Posts: 1,722 Forumite
    We used a local firm whose office is less than a mile up the road. Two years later we ended up with all our fees back because of a mistake they made. Something that they should have known about given the advantage of their location.

    Xxx
  • Thanks all. We don't have any real recommendations- a friend who bought recently gave us the name of theirs and said "not te cheapest but ok" which doesn't sound like a glowing recommendation! The broker gave us the name of one that he recommends which strangely enough, is one that I found online and emailed, and is the cheapest but is in Blackburn (I'm in buckinghamshire). Of 3 local ones I've emailed, 2 have come across quite badly on email. Argh, why is it so hard?!
  • You have to decide and a recommended firm even though a long distance away may be fine. I would always tell non-local potential clients that they couldn't just pop in and sign and they would have to accept that kind of delay - it didn't put many off - but I felt I was being honest.

    When phoning for a "quote" do they sound as if they know what they are talking about and are prepared to explain things to you as the transaction proceeds?

    If a distant firm isn't fine the bottom line is you can't go into their office and demand to see the person dealing with your file. Some distant firms don't answer their phones - or if they do they give useless information.

    SMS updates sound wonderful in theory but if you don't really understand the process, then telling you a certain stage has been reached can be more confusing than helpful if the full implications of that haven't been explained.

    So telling you that you are getting the contract to sign in the post does not mean you should give notice on your rented. You may not have been told whether the chain above is ready and that is a vital piece of information. Even then never give notice on rentals until contracts have been exchanged - which is not the same as signing!
    RICHARD WEBSTER

    As a retired conveyancing solicitor I believe the information given in the post to be useful assuming any properties concerned are in England/Wales but I accept no liability for it.
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