What To Look For In A Solicitor

It is of absolute importance that you choose the right solicitor when you are either buying or selling a residential property.

In much the same way as when choosing your Estate Agent (and in fact with many things in life) cheapest is not usually the best.

Estate Agents often try to recommend solicitors that they have dealt with in the past.

The reason for this is not because they are making some money on the side but because they know the solicitor is a) good at their job and b) will respond to an email or phone call which is imperative when trying to speed things along and problem solve.

Any solicitor that doesn’t liaise with Estate Agents is taking a very narrow view on a transaction as we are all there with one common aim and that is to get the deal done.

I will never forget receiving a solicitor’s letter once which actually stipulated that their company policy was “not to provide Estate Agents with updates!”

Location-wise whilst a solicitor doesn’t have to be local it can help if they need to meet you at their office for any reason. I’m not suggesting necessarily that they have to be based in Finchley for example but more that they are based in London rather than outside of London.

Also if they are based locally they are likely to have a more intimate knowledge of the local area and therefore for example will know how long searches are likely to take, planning policies for the Local Authority etc.

It’s completely understandable to get more than one quote but just make sure there are no hidden charges and remember that your solicitor is someone you will have many dealings with throughout the process so make sure you can get on with them and that you will actually be able to speak to them when necessary!

Edward, Director of Squires Estates