A conveyancing chain is when there is more than one buyer and seller involved. For example, your seller is buying a house off someone else who is buying another house and the chain goes on.

The chain breaks when the buyer or seller is not relying on buying or selling another house such as a first-time buyer or someone purchasing a buy-to-let property.

The reason why conveyancing chains can cause a delay is that a buyer cannot buy a property without selling their current property, so the transactions are dependent on what happens within the chain.

A conveyancing solicitor is a legal professional that handles the legal transfer of residential property ownership from the seller to the buyer. The conveyancing solicitor will deal with all the steps of the conveyancing process including doing searches on the house, drafting amended title deeds, taking payment, and transferring funds to the required parties.

Conveyancing is the legal transfer of property ownership from one person to another.

The cost varies, dependent upon the particular area where the property is being purchased. The total cost of the search pack we provide is £231 and the solicitor will request an initial payment to cover the cost of these at the outset, when they are submitted. A seller is no longer required to provide searches.

The current maximum amount that can be gifted without triggering a tax charge is £3,000 per year.

Your solicitor will fully protect your interests and that of any lender on a purchase, to ensure that no adverse entries arise which could affect the property generally. Such matters would be revealed on the searches and the transaction would not proceed until any issues are resolved.

When contracts are exchanged, the completion date goes in the contract and is a fixed date for completion. At that time, the removal arrangements can be confirmed to the company. A suggested date given before exchange of contracts may be altered and the removal company may charge a fee for changing the date.

If there is an estate agent involved, the seller’s solicitor will telephone to arrange for the keys to be released, once all the purchase monies have been received. Your solicitor will arrange for the transfer of monies as early as possible on the day of completion, but if there is a long chain and monies are awaited, this may delay the time the keys are released.

If you are obtaining a mortgage, the lender will normally insure the property or allow you to do so, provided your own insurance arrangements are satisfactory to the lender and the property is fully covered.

The conveyancing process can take time to go through especially if you are part of a chain. Conveyancing solicitors are dealing with different clients at one time, so naturally, there will be some time taken to handle your case.

However, mostly, solicitors are waiting on information from third parties such as other solicitors, Land Registry, local authorities, estate agents, or mortgage companies which is why the process can seem slow.

If you are in a chain, the whole process can be slowed down because solicitors cannot act when they are waiting for something to happen further along the chain that is out of their control.

Part of the role of the conveyancing solicitor is to chase third parties for information so that they can do their job.

The general principle is that it is the buyer’s responsibility to be satisfied as to the general condition of a property purchased. Provided a buyer is not misled by the seller, he cannot complain after exchange of contracts and completion as to its condition. If a mortgage is being obtained, a valuer on behalf of the lender will inspect the property, but only usually to ensure that the value of the property is more than the amount borrowed. In practice, the same valuer, on payment of a fee, will carry out a more detailed report, which can be relied upon if you, as buyer, later discover a problem with the property.

Yes, but only if they’re reasonable. The law protects your right to work, so any clause that’s too broad, long, or unclear could be challenged.

Yes. Cases like Lynskey v Direct Line Insurance Services Ltd, McCabe v Selazar, A v Bonmarche, and Best v Embark show employees receiving compensation for injury to feelings and unfair treatment linked to menopause.

No. ACAS is neutral and cannot represent you or give legal advice. If you want someone to act in your best interests, negotiate compensation, and protect your claim, you’ll need an employment solicitor.

Yes, it is possible to approach your employer on a “without prejudice” (off the record) basis to investigate whether they would be willing to negotiate the terms of your exit from the business. This may be an appropriate course of action if you:

are unhappy at work;
have received an unsatisfactory outcome to a grievance and feel unable to continue in the work environment;
face disciplinary action or performance management;
believe you may have grounds to bring a claim against your employer in the Employment Tribunal.

No. It is illegal to fire or discipline an employee for taking time off to deal with an emergency involving a dependant. If this happens, you may be able to take legal action and claim compensation.

Yes.

Yes, claims can be made against both the employer and, in certain circumstances, individual managers.

Yes. In some cases, you can bring a claim against an individual manager as well as your employer.

Yes, but only if you resigned because of your employer’s conduct and acted quickly. Delaying too long can weaken or prevent your claim.

Yes. Former employees and ex-workers are protected under UK employment discrimination law, provided you act within the time limit.

Yes , in addition to compensation for loss of earnings , injury to feelings awards are available .

Yes. Many cases settle during Early Conciliation without going to tribunal. Compensation depends on your pay, losses, and the type of claim. ACAS won’t calculate this for you, but a solicitor can.

Yes, for loss of earnings and injury to feelings.