The Stone conveyancing lawyers that just started acting on my house acquisition in Stone have suddenly shut down. I chose them because I needed a lawyer on the Principality conveyancing panel and my preferred Stone lawyer was not. I gave my credit card details for them to take £195 for searches. What are my options?

Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then let them know immediately so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to reasons beyond your control. Hopefully they will be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You will need to appoint new lawyers that are on the Principality conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money, it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new solicitors may be able to assist.

I have been told that property searches are the primary cause of obstruction in Stone conveyancing transactions. Is there any truth in this?

The Council of Property Search Organisations (CoPSO) released determinations of research by MoveWithUs that conveyancing searches do not feature amongst the top 10 causes of delays during the legal transfer of property. Local searches are not likely to be the root cause of delay in conveyancing in Stone.

I am a sole trader planning to take over a lease of a shop on a shopping parade. Can you recommend conveyancers offering no-move-no charges for non-domestic conveyancing in Stone for less than 2k?

We are happy to recommend firms who host a wealth of experience of commercial conveyancing in Stone, including the sale and purchase of businesses as well as simply property. Whether you are intending to acquire or sell a shop, pub, restaurant, office, retail unit or a complete business we will find you the right solicitor. Regarding the costs these will vary based on the structure and nuances of the deal. Let us have your contact information or telephone us so that we may provide you with comprehensive commercial conveyancing calculation.

Am I better off to instruct a Stone conveyancing lawyer based in the vicinity that I am purchasing? An old friend can conduct the legal work however his firm is located over three hundred kilometers drive away.

The primary upside of using a high street Stone conveyancing firm is that you can attend the office to sign documents, present your identification documents and pester them where appropriate. Having local Stone know how is a bonus. That being said it's more important to get someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If if people you trust instructed your friend and in the main were content that must surpass using an unfamiliar Stone conveyancing lawyer just because they are local.

Can you offer any advice when it comes to choosing a Stone conveyancing practice to carry out our lease extension conveyancing?

When appointing a conveyancer for your lease extension (regardless if they are a Stone conveyancing firm) it is imperative that they be familiar with the legislation and specialises in this area of conveyancing. We advise that you make enquires with several firms including non Stone conveyancing practices prior to instructing a firm. If the firm is ALEP accredited then so much the better. The following questions might be useful:

How familiar is the practice with lease extension legislation?

Stone Leasehold Conveyancing - Examples of Questions you should ask before Purchasing

How long is the Lease? Who takes charge for maintaining and repairing the building? Best to be warned whether redecorating or some other major work is due shortly that will be shared between the leasehold owners and will materially impact the level of the maintenance fees or result in a specific payment.