I am nearing exchange of contracts for my maisonette in Taplow and the EA has just text me to warn that the buyers are appointing a new property lawyer. The reason given is that the bank will only deal with solicitors on their approved list. On what basis would a major mortgage company only work with certain law firms rather the firm that they want to choose for their conveyancing in Taplow ?

Banks have always had an approved set of law firms that can act for them, but in the past few years big names such as Nationwide, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have worked with them for more than 15 years.

Lending institutions attribute this action to a rise in fraud by way of justification for the pruning – criteria have been narrowed as a smaller panel is easier to oversee. Banks tend not to reveal how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society claims that it is being contacted daily by practices that have been removed from panels. Some are unaware that they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. Your purchasers are not going to have any sway in the decision.

I require expedited conveyancing in Taplow as I am under a deadline to complete within one month. A mortgage is not required. Can I escape the need for conveyancing searches to save money and time?

If.Given you are not taking a home loan you have the choice not to do searches although no lawyer would recommend that you don't. Drawing on years of experience of conveyancing in Taplow the following are instances of what can be revealed and therefore impact market value: Enforcement Actions, Overdue Charges, Overdue Grants, Road Schemes,...

I used Action Conveyancing several years ago for my conveyancing in Taplow. I now require my papers however the law firm has closed. What do I do?

You should contact the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) to help locate your conveyancing files. They can be contacted on please contact on 0870 606 2555. Alternatively, you should use their online form to make an enquiry. You will need to provide the SRA with as much information as possible to assist their search, including the name and address in Taplow of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously hired, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

As co-executor for the estate of my father I am selling a house in Newport but reside in Taplow. My solicitor (based 300 miles from meneeds me to execute a statutory declaration prior to completion. Can you recommend a conveyancing practitioner in Taplow who can attest this legal document for me?

Technically speaking you should not be required to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Ordinarily any notary public or solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are Taplow based

Is it the case that all Taplow property lawyers on every bank conveyancing panel?

You can use our search tool or you can drop into your local bank branch in Taplow. Chances are that they will be in a position to list some approved conveyancing solicitors in Taplow