We're in Kew, First time buyers purchasing with a mortgage (lender is HSBC , and our solicitor is on the HSBC conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?

The fact that your lawyer is on the HSBC conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no lawyer should guarantee a timeframe for your conveyancing, due to third parties outside of your control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain.

Just acquired a detached house in Kew , What is the estimated time for the Land Registry to deal with the formalities evidencing my proprietorship? My Kew conveyancing solicitor works at snail pace, so I want to be certain that my name is recorded.

As far as conveyancing in Kew registration is no quicker or slower than anywhere else in the country. As opposed to being determined by geographic area, timescales can vary subject to the party submitting the application, whether there are errors and whether the Land registry need to notify any 3rd parties. At present approximately 80% of such applications are fully dealt with within two weeks but some can be subject to protracted delays. Historically registration is effected once the purchaser is living at the property therefore registration formalities is not usually top priority yet where there is a degree of urgency associated with the registration then you or your lawyers could speak with the land registry and explain the circumstances.

I have been recommended by a few property agents in Kew to find a conveyancer on your site. Is there a financial inducement for Estate Agents to promote your site rather than another?

We don’t make any commission for pointing buyers and sellers our way. We thought it would be too underhand to pay a commission because home movers will think, ‘How come the agent getting a kickback? Why aren’t I receiving any benefit too?’ We would prefer to grow our business on genuine recommendations.

As co-executor for the estate of my father I am disposing of a residence in Newport but reside in Kew. My lawyer (who is 300 miles awayhas requested that I execute a statutory declaration before completion. Could you suggest a conveyancing lawyer in Kew who can attest this legal document for me?

strictly speaking you are unlikely to be required to have the documents witnessed by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally or notary public or qualified solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are based in Kew

I am an executor of my recently deceased mother’s Will, with a bungalow in Kew which is to be sold. The bungalow is unregistered at HMLR and I'm advised that many estate agents will insist that it is done before they'll move forward. What's the mechanism for this?

In the situation you refer to it seems advisable to apply to register in the names of the personal representative(s) as named in the probate and in their capacity as PRs. The Land Registry’s online guidance explains how to register for the first time and what is required re the deeds and forms. You would need to include and official copy of the probate as well and complete the form FR1 to refer to the PRs as the applicant.