Firm of solicitors or licensed conveyancers - SRA vs CLC

Peony2016

Is it best to use a firm of solicitors (regulated by the SRA) or a firm of licensed conveyancers (regulated by the CLC) when selling and purchasing a property?

I’ve seen a few mentions of the updated SRA code of conduct and wondered whether it now makes it more beneficial to instruct a solicitor rather than a conveyancer.
As I understand it, the Legal Ombudsman investigates complaints of poor client service but will refer the matter to the SRA if it thinks the case involves a breach of SRA principles. Does this give an additional layer of protection now that the SRA code of conduct is more focused on acting in the best interests of the client?

My husband and I have got a buyer for our property and we’re hoping to have an offer on our onward purchase accepted this week. We’ve obtained quotes from 3 local firms, 2 of which are solicitors and one is a firm of licensed conveyancers. The quotes are all within £100 of each other and the reviews are fairly equal so we’re trying to decide who to go with.

G_M

What was your instinctive reaction when you went in and met them?

SmashedAvacado

Do you have the work email and direct dial of the lawyer who will be dealing with your matter?
Do you know who would be doing the work on your matter?
Did they all seem organised?
Have any of them asked anything about the property beyond the price?

Peony2016

G_M wrote: »

What was your instinctive reaction when you went in and met them?

We haven't had chance to meet them yet. I was away with work last week and my husbands work & commute times means he leaves for work before the firms open and gets home after they have closed for the day. Do we need to meet them in person before deciding?

Peony2016

SmashedAvacado wrote: »

Do you have the work email and direct dial of the lawyer who will be dealing with your matter?
Do you know who would be doing the work on your matter?
Did they all seem organised?
Have any of them asked anything about the property beyond the price?

I have been in direct contact with the partner of one of the solicitors firms. He has given me his office number, mobile number and email address and will be the one working on our transactions.
The solicitor from the licensed conveyancing firm has also given me her direct dial and work email address (I have double checked this - she is a solicitor and licensed conveyancer but the firm itself is governed by the CLC).

The solicitor from the conveyancing firm was the first person I spoke to. She asked a lot of questions about the lender and property details. So once I'd emailed her I sent a very thorough email to the other 2 firms detailing all the initial info they might need, so there wasn't a lot of questions for them to ask.

All of them seem organised and have responded very quickly to my emails so there's not a lot in it to make a decision. We may perhaps discount one because they are a little bit further outside of town than the other 2 so it would take longer to get there if we need to drop documents off.

hazyjo

Do you require a mortgage? They'll need to be on your lender's panel.

Peony2016

hazyjo wrote: »

Do you require a mortgage? They'll need to be on your lender's panel.

Yes we do. I've got confirmation from them all that they're on the panel for the lender we want to use (either HSBC or Halifax)

G_M

Peony2016 wrote: »

We haven't had chance to meet them yet. I was away with work last week and my husbands work & commute times means he leaves for work before the firms open and gets home after they have closed for the day. Do we need to meet them in person before deciding?

No legal need to. And many people don't. But to me it's common sense. It not only gives you a good feel for how they operate, but also lets you know if you are likely to be able to go in and discuss issues, or anything you don't understand, further down the line.


Where everything is simple and goes smoothly, then fine, cheap online conveyancing may be fine. It's where it hits an aiisue, or you need some personal advice, that a local firm pays dividends.