Moving Home – Deciding Which Lawyer To Appoint

When buying or selling a property, it can be tempting to choose the cheapest conveyancing quote available. In a competitive market, low-cost providers often advertise attractive fixed fees and promises of a quick service. However, many clients discover that the cheapest option can sometimes prove the most expensive if problems arise and they later need to change legal representation during the transaction.

Changing representation part-way through a conveyancing transaction is rarely straightforward. A new solicitor cannot simply pick up where the previous lawyer left off. Professional rules require the incoming firm to carry out its own due diligence, including identity verification, anti-money laundering checks, source of funds enquiries and a review of the entire transaction history. Even where substantial work has already been completed, the new solicitor must satisfy themselves that all legal requirements have been properly addressed before they can continue to act.