We are planning to acquire a property and need a conveyancing solicitor in Victoria who is on the Co-operative solicitor panel. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a conveyancing firm?

Our service is limited to being a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Co-operative . We don't recommend any particular firms conducting conveyancing in Victoria.

I used Arc property Solicitors several years ago for my conveyancing in Victoria. Now, I need my documents but 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 Victoria of the conveyancing firm of solicitors you previously used, the name of conveyancing solicitor with whom you had dealings, and the date on which you last had dealings with the firm.

I'm purchasing my first flat in Victoria with a mortgage from Barclays Direct. The sellers refused to budge the price so I negotiated 6k of additionals instead. The house builders rep advised me not reveal to my conveyancer about this side-deal as it would put at risk my loan with the bank. Should I keep quiet?.

All lenders require a Disclosure of Incentives Form from the builder of any new build, converted or renovated property, It is available online from the Lenders’ Handbook page on the CML website. CML form is completed and handed to the lender's surveyor when the inspection is done.

Lenders have different policies on incentives. Some accept none at all, cash or physical, while others will accept cash incentives up to 5%.

Hard to understand why the representative of a builder would be suggesting you withold information from a solicitor when all this will be clearly visible on forms the builder has to supply to its solicitor, the buyer's solicitor and the surveyor.

My husband and I are 3 weeks into a leasehold purchase having been recommend to solicitors by the selling agent to execute conveyancing in Victoria. We are not happy. Could you you assist me in finding new solicitors?

A conveyancer would need to be very bad to suggest replacing them. Has your mortgage been generated? If so you must make them aware of the new contact details and have the offer are re-sent. The conveyancer needs to be on the banks approved list to avoid escalating fees and frustration. So that should be your starting point. The search tool can help you find a lender approved lawyer for your conveyancing in Victoria

My solicitors in Victoria have advised me that they can not locate my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with the bank. Is it case that being on the mortgage company conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a prescribed period?

Different lenders have different requirements but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the lender Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting the lender directly.