I am purchasing a new build flat in Haslington and my lawyer is telling me that she is duty bound to the mortgage company to disclose incentives from the developer. I am under pressure to exchange and I would rather not delay the conveyancing. Is my lawyer right?

You should not exchange unless you have been advised to do so by your conveyancing practitioner. A precondition to being on a bank panel is to comply with the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook provisions. The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.

I have a decision in principle. The lender mentioned the loan came with free conveyancing. Is the implication that I have to appoint their panel solicitor as I would prefer to instruct a local conveyancing solicitor in Haslington?

Do check but the the probability is that appoint one of their panel lawyers if you accept the "fee-free" incentive. Speak to the mortgage company to determine if they allow a monetary alternative. Some banks have previously offered a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case you could put that amount towards the cost for your conveyancing solicitor in Haslington.

I am buying a property and the conveyancer has identified Chancel Repair to which the property may be obligated to pay because it falls into the area of such a church. She has recommended insurance. Is this strictly required for conveyancing in Haslington

Unless a previous acquisition of the house took place after 12 October 2013 you can assume that conveyancing practitioners carrying out conveyancing in Haslington to remain encouraging a chancel search and or insurance against a claim.

My partner has urged me to instruct his conveyancing solicitors in Haslington. Should I use them?

There are no two ways about it it’s preferable to choose a conveyancing practitioner is to seek feedback from friends or relatives who have actually previously instructed the solicitor that you are contemplating using.

My wife and I have chosen a Haslington conveyancing solicitor for our house purchase (first time buyers) and have spotted in the Ts and Cs that they are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Need I be worried or is that usually the case with conveyancer?

We can't see why they should be. Most lawyer don't lend money. They should be regulated by the SRA, who set stringent rules regulating monies held in their bank.