I am nearing exchange of contracts for my home in Worthing and the EA has just e-mailed to warn that the buyers are appointing a new conveyancer. The reason given is that the bank will only deal with solicitors on their conveyancing panel. Why would a major lender only deal with specific law firms rather the firm that they want to choose for their conveyancing in Worthing ?

UK lenders have always had panels of law firms that can act for them, but in the last few years big names such as Nationwide, have considered and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have acted for them for more than 25 years.

Banks justify this action to a rise in fraud by way of justification for the cull – criteria have been stiffened as a smaller panel is easier to monitor. 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 do not even realise they have been dropped until contacted by a borrower who has instructed them as might be the situation in your buyers' case. The buyers are unlikely to have any sway in the decision.

Can you suggest a Accord Mortgages Ltd approved Worthing conveyancing firm who can have us moved in within a very limited time frame? Would it be better to use a local Worthing conveyancer or a nationwide conveyancer?

We can recommend some very good Worthing conveyancing firms. You can also walk up the main road in Worthing. Go in to two or three law practices and request to speak with a conveyancing solicitor for a costs illustration. Mention your deadline together with the reasons and get a commitment on speed. Select the lawyer that genuine.

I have justdiscovered that Arc property Solicitors have been shut down. They carried out my conveyancing in Worthing for a purchase of a leasehold flat 18 months ago. How can I check that my home is registered correctly in the name of the former proprietor?

The easiest method to check if the premises is registered to you, you can carry out a search of the land registry (£3.00). You can either do this yourself or ask a law firm to do this for you. If you are not registered you can seek help from one of a number of Worthing conveyancing specialists.

My uncle has recommend that I use his lawyers for conveyancing in Worthing. Should I choose my own solicitor?

There are no two ways about it the ideal way to find a conveyancing solicitor is to have referrals from friends or family who have used the solicitor you're are thinking of instructing.

Builders have put forward a conveyancing practitioner and I've obtained a quote from them. They are almost £300 cheaper than my local Worthing property lawyer. Should I use them?

Builders often have panels of property lawyers who expedite matters and who know the builder's contract and conveyancing practitioner. Plenty of developers offer an incentive to use their approved conveyancing practitioner for this reason, any increased charges can be avoided and a builder won't recommend a conveyancing factory and run the risk of having the conveyancing delayed when they want exchange within a tight deadline. A counter-argument for not opting for the recommended property lawyer is that they may be hesitant to fight for your interests at the risk of upsetting the developer. If you worry that this may be the case you should keep with your high street Worthing property lawyer.