I am under pressure from the owner of a property in East Sussex to sign contracts within four weeks. What can be done to quicken up the legal process?

First, If you are under a tight deadline for your conveyancing it is advisable to make sure that your solicitor is familiar with the area as they will make use of local connections and insight. It is possible that they would have conducted otherproperties in the same street. Therefore consider using a East Sussex conveyancing firm. In addition, check that the lawyer is on the on the approved list for your mortgage company. It is understood that 18% of East Sussex conveyancing transactions are delayed or jeopardised after discovering a buyer’s lawyer was not on their mortgage lender’s list of approved solicitors. This can often result in the home move being held up by almost three weeks. It is claimed that this issue affects approximately one hundred thousand home moves every year. Almost all East Sussex conveyancing firms can not represent certain mortgage companies so do check as early as possible.

We are expecting a mortgage offer soon. The bank mentioned the loan came with free conveyancing. Is the implication that I have to appoint their panel lawyer as I would much rather use a high street conveyancing solicitor in East Sussex?

You should check but the chances are that appoint one of their panel solicitors where you accept the "fee-free" deal. Contact the mortgage company to ask if they make available a cash alternative. In the past a few lenders offered a £250 cashback as an alternative in which case that money can go towards the cost for your conveyancing solicitor near East Sussex.

I require quick conveyancing in East Sussex as I have an ultimatum to complete in less than 4 weeks. Fortunately I do not need a mortgage. Is it possible to decline from having conveyancing searches to save money and time?

As you are are a mortgage free buyer you have the choice not to have searches carried out although no law firm would suggest that you don't. Drawing on years of experience of conveyancing in East Sussex the following are examples of what can appear and therefore impact the marketability of the property: Refused Planning Applications, Overdue Fees, Overdue Grants, Unadopted Roads,...

Are there restrictive covenants that are commonly identified as part of conveyancing in East Sussex?

Covenants that are restrictive in nature can be picked up when reviewing land registry title as part of the legal transfer of property in East Sussex. An 1874 stipulation that was seen was ‘The houses to be erected on the estate are each to be of a uniform elevation in accordance with the drawings to be prepared or approved by the vendor’s surveyor…’

My conveyancers in East Sussex have advised me that they can not locate my conveyancing file. At the time of my purchase I took out a mortgage with the mortgage company. Is it case that being on the bank conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a number of years?

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 mortgage company Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting the bank directly.