It is absolutely essential to engage a solicitor when purchasing or selling a property. Your solicitor will ensure the correct transfer of ownership (or title) of the property into your name. He or she will also check the title of the property, any planning issues, the vendor's contract for the sale of the property and so on. This process is known as conveyancing.

Your solicitor will also liaise with the lending institution on the provision of the mortgage, reviewing their Letter of Offer and advising you on its terms. The signed Letter of Offer is then returned to the mortgage provider.

Many people will find a solicitor through personal recommendation from a friend who has been happy with the service they received, and this can be an effective way of selecting a competent legal representative.

As solicitor's fees are generally charged as a percentage of the purchase price of the property, this is a substantial additional cost when purchasing a home. You can expect to pay approximately 1% to 1.5% of the purchase price of the property (plus 21% VAT). Always discuss fees with the solicitor before engaging his or her services; it can pay to query fees and shop around.

Your solicitor is working for you, and should explain the conveyancing process and keep you updated with progress throughout. When your solicitor, the vendor's solicitor and the lending institution are satisfied with the situation, your solicitor will advise you on signing contracts >>