My IFA has requested my Cathays lawyer’ panel reference for the Nat West conveyancing panel. Can you suggest how I find this out. I have e-mailed my local Cathays office but they cant find it on their system.

Have you tried speaking to your Cathays conveyancing practitioner about this?. Most Cathays conveyancing firms will retain a file or database of lender panel information which would include, if applicable, their conveyancing panel details for each lender.

A friend advised me that where I am buying in Cathays I should carry out a Neighbourhood, Planning and Local Amenity Search. What does it cover?

This is a search is usually quoted for as part of the standard Cathays conveyancing searches. It is a large report of about 40 pages, listing and setting out important information about Cathays around the property and the people living there. It includes an Aerial Photograph, Planning Applications, Land Use, Mobile Phone Masts, Rights of Way, the Cathays Housing Market, Council Tax Banding, the type of People living in the area, the dominant type of Housing, the Average House Prices, Crime details, Local Education with maps and statistics, Local Amenities and other useful information regarding Cathays.

Am I right to be concerned that third parties that I am dealing with are recommending an internet conveyancing firm as opposed to a High Street Cathays conveyancing company?

As with many professional services, often input from relatives can be worth their weight in gold. But there are many people with a keen interest in a conveyancing transaction; estate agents, mortgage brokers and banks may recommend solicitors to retain. Sometimes these lawyers might be known to one of the organisations as being good in their field, but occasionally there may be a commercial relationship behind the recommendation. You have the discretion to select your preferred lawyer. You need to be aware that some banks operate an approved list of conveyancers you must use for the mortgage related work in your house move.

Am I best advised to choose a Cathays conveyancing lawyer who is local to the property I am buying? We have a good friend who can perform the conveyancing but her office is approximately 350kilometers drive away.

The primary upside of using a high street Cathays conveyancing practice is that you can visit the firm to execute paperwork, hand in your ID and pester them if necessary. They will also have local knowledge which is a benefit. However nothing is more important than finding someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If other friends have used your friend and they were happy that should surpass using an unfamiliar Cathays conveyancing lawyer just because they are local.

I have read on numerous online forums that before choosing a conveyancing solicitors they need approved by your lender. I am new to the process but I have an offer in principle with Nat West Bank and I already have a bricks and morter conveyancing solicitor in Cathays in place. Can Halifax insist on an approved conveyancer to be selected? Does a directory of approved firms even exist so I can appoint a conveyancing lawyer in Cathays?

You should choose a solicitor that is on the Halifax panel. Just call your chosen Cathays conveyancing lawyer to check if they are on the Halifax panel. If they are not approved you have a number of alternatives available to you here:

• Proceed with your preferred Cathays solicitor but Halifax will undoubtedly retain a solicitor from their conveyancing panel. The net impact is additional fees and likely interruption.
• Choose a fresh conveyancing practitioner to conduct the conveyancing, not forgetting to check that they are on the Halifax conveyancing panel.
• Appeal to your lawyer to seek to join the lender panel.