Conveyancing process during Covid19

anewbuyer

Hello,
We decided to delay the conveyancing process until after we would get a mortgage offer, which came this week. However, it seems that our lawyers have closed their offices due to the quarantine, we haven't paid them anything yet. I understand that by law, we wouldn't be able to exchange contracts before the quarantine ends, however, can any of the conveyancing processes be done during quarantine? are there any firms working currently? also, is it possible to change our lawyer after the offer is sent without risking anything?

Thank you.

davidmcn

anewbuyer said:

I understand that by law, we wouldn't be able to exchange contracts before the quarantine ends

There's no such law. Maybe you've misunderstood something else?

Plenty of lawyers are working from home, like many other professionals. Obviously a bit of administrative hassle for post which is going to/from the offices (or accessing paper files etc) but to a large extent business can be carried on as usual.

You can change your lawyer whenever you want, whether you need to pay anything to the first one depends on what they've done (if anything) and their terms of business.

Thrugelmir

While your solicitors offices are closed. Are you sure they've ceased all work activities i.e. from home. 
You are some time away from exchanging contracts even in normal times. What's the position in the chain above you? 

anewbuyer

Hello, I just contacted the head office and they are helping me now, it seems like they just reduced their staff and weren't able to communicate me how to contact them. Thanks for your responses

onthemend88

Our solicitor and our vendor's solicitors are working from home. 

We have had a small update from our solicitor today to say that 2/3 of the searches have been completed and they are just awaiting Local Authority searches (would imagine this will be the one that is delayed substantially).

They had also raised a few queries with the vendor's solicitor which are also in the process of being processed. 

ACG

Solicitors are still working, but not all. 
I know the guys we are working but they are definitely on a bit of a go slow as they are working from home, so no doubt have children running around who also need entertaining. Just one of those things at the minute where we all have to take it in our stride.