Choosing a solicitor

Slithery

teachfast said:

onylon said:

I did my research online and went for a local mid-priced firm with good reviews.

My conveyancer totally refused to answer emails or phone calls, went on holiday multiple times with no warning or handover and repeatedly broke my trust. Our no-chain sale dragged on for months because of their terrible communication skills and inability to handle enquiries.

Standard practice.

Only if you pick a crap solicitor.

The one I use always answers the phone and will explain anything I want them to. She's done around 15 transactions so far for me and my extended family and they've all gone through without any issues...

onylon

Slithery said:

Only if you pick a crap solicitor.

The one I use always answers the phone and will explain anything I want them to. She's done around 15 transactions so far for me and my extended family and they've all gone through without any issues...

So how do you pick a good solicitor if you cant trust online reviews and dont have a personal recommendation from someone already in the area? It feels like a bit of a lottery.

youth_leader

I was really lucky, our neighbour  is a solicitor and has handled all of our legal affairs,  including our wills,  for twenty years.  I'm in Northumberland if you would like his details. 

allIcouldwishfor

NameUnavailable said:

First make sure whoever you think of using will be acceptable by your mortgage company! They will have a 'panel' so I would maybe seek recommendation from them first.

As for online v high street I really don't think it matters. My last solicitor was literally down the road and yet I never met with them, it was all done via email anyway, and most 'online' conveyancers use solicitors who have high street offices, just not your high street.

^^ Make sure the solicitors are on your lenders panel - but they won’t be able to make a recommendation as such ^^

We’re in the process of buying/selling right now and our solicitor uses an online case-management service called “eWay” - it’s blummin’ fantastic. I can see everything that’s been done already, everything that’s pending, I can download/upload documents - it’s all very transparent. It sends me a text message every time I’m allocated a new task and reminds me each day how many tasks I have outstanding. We last moved house 18 years ago, and I have spent the last 18 years joking I’d never move again because I found the whole process so awful...this time around having the eWay portal has made my life so much easier and less stressful. 

If I were to ever move house again, my first question to a potential solicitor would be whether they have an online case-management software that's visible to clients. 

amandacat

I put a post on my local town Facebook page asking for recommendations. I then used those recommendations and looked at online reviews. 
I ended up choosing a local one with excellent reviews both on google and from the group Facebook recommendations. They also had the added benefit of having a no move no fee guarantee. 
So far this has paid off as she has been excellent, responsive and quick to deal with everything.