I was advised yesterday by my financial adviser that my Sutton solicitor is not on the mortgage company Solicitor panel. What can I do to be certain whether this is indeed the case?

Your first step should be to contact your Sutton lawyer directly. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to advise you what has happened. If they are not on the panel they could put your in touch with solicitors on the conveyancing panel for your bank.

My fiancee and I are acquiring our first house. The solicitor has texted usto check if we wish to take out supplemental conveyancing searches. Unfortunately we have no idea as to what's appropriate for conveyancing in Sutton

The range of Sutton conveyancing searches depends primarily on the property, the location, the probability of any of these risks, your familiarity of the region and risks, your general attitude to risk. What matters is that you adequately appreciate what information each search could supply. You may then decide if you personally think you need that search. Should you be in doubt, ask your lawyer to explain.

We see that you have a search directory identifying firms on the Lloyds conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I retain them for our own conveyancing in Sutton?

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

I am considering applying for a Co-operative mortgage for purchase of a new build (under development) in Sutton with 70% loan to value. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Co-operative ?

In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the Co-operative conveyancing panel, but Co-operative would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same transaction.

My financial adviser has recommended their solicitor for my conveyancing in Sutton - won’t it be advisable to just instruct them?

It is worth checking if the selling agent is recommending a property lawyer or introducing to a conveyancer. There are plenty of Sutton estate agents who recommend two or three Sutton conveyancing firms and get nothing from it.