I am one month into the sale of my flat in Derby and the estate agent has just text me to advise that the purchasers are appointing a new property lawyer. The excuse is that the lender will only deal with solicitors on their conveyancing panel. On what basis would a major lender only work with certain solicitors rather the firm that they want to appoint for their conveyancing in Derby ?

Lenders have always had an approved set of law firms they are content to work with, but in recent years big names such as Nationwide, have reviewed and reduced their conveyancing panel– in some cases removing conveyancing firms who have acted for them for more than 25 years.

Banks point to the increase in fraud as the reason for the cull – criteria have been tightened as a smaller panel is easier to oversee. No lender will say how many solicitors have been dropped, claiming the information is commercially sensitive, but the Law Society says it is being contacted daily by practices that have been removed from panels. Plenty of firms 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 unlikely to have any impact on this.

We see that you have a post code search directory listing law firms on the Principality conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I instruct them for our own conveyancing in Derby?

We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Principality conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint for your conveyancing in Derby.

I am buying a flat and need a conveyancing solicitor in Derby who is on the Nottingham Building Society solicitor. 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 listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Nottingham Building Society in certain locations such as Derby. We dont recommend any particular firm.

I'm converting the mortgage on my existing property to a buy to let loan with Alliance & Leicester and I will use the rest of the raised equity as a deposit on a second house. The location we are interested in is Derby. Will your lawyers be able to act for both sets of mortgage companies and tie in the conveyances?

Make use of our search tool on this page to be sure that the solicitors are on the relevant lender panels. On the basis that they are the conveyancer will be able to simultaneously deal with the two transactions but you should have a chat with you solicitor and make apparent your expectations and needs.

In my capacity as executor for the estate of my uncle I am disposing of a residence in Monmouth but I am based in Derby. My lawyer (who is 200 kilometers from merequires that I sign a stat dec ahead of completion. Could you suggest a conveyancing lawyer in Derby to witness and place their company stamp on the document?

Technically speaking you are not likely to need to have the documents attested by a conveyancing solicitor. Normally or notary public or solicitor will suffice regardless of whether they are Derby based