This review is for a different branch.
We made the mistake of looking for a conveyancer on the cheap as our purchase was a straight-forward staircase with full cooperation from the Seller (Housing Association) and a mortgage offer and RICS valuation in place from the start. We went with SAM Conveyancing as they were more affordable than other conveyancing solicitors and initially were very helpful with decent reviews; however, it turns out SAM Conveyancing is a front end business (albeit legit) who farm out cases to conveyancers across the country. Our case was farmed out to Chadwick Lawrence in Bradford, who had less good reviews. When we expressed this concern to our contact at SAM, we were assured SAM would support us along the way, so we went ahead. What a mistake!
Within a week of instruction, we got a bounced back email from our contact at SAM. Attempts to reach her or a manager at the office were met with ‘no one available to speak’ and no response to emails. Our case handler at Chadwick Lawrence turned out to be worse. Although our staircase was initially set up on the firm's online system/app and the process started, there was no further movement. They sat on a letter from the Seller’s solicitor for over a month and then said we needed to pay an associated fee before we could progress (one month wasted). We couldn’t reach our case handler (conveyancer in this case, not a qualified solicitor) by phone at the office; no response to voicemails or emails on valid requests for a quick update. It was particularly stressful when our valuation was expiring and we needed an urgent update. In over 12-weeks, the only time our case handler contacted us was by email on four occasions to ask for additional fees in relation to the purchase - fees, which it turns out were not required (eg, a Deed of Variation from the lender in relation to the leasehold - our lender was happy to go ahead as is).
After over 12 weeks and no progress, we issued a formal complaint. Their response (issued quickly for once) took no responsibility for the lack of communication or progress on our case, and again asked for additional fees before the case could be progressed (the Deed of Variation again - no response when we challenged them on this with a letter from the lender stating they were happy to proceed as is).
We ended up terminating Chadwick Lawrence services, but lost 13-weeks in the process - valuable time in a flat purchase with expiring mortgage offers and valuations. Word to the wise - pay for a decent solicitor for your conveyancing services - one who is available to explain the process to you and provides confidence that the sale is progressing. The stress otherwise is not worth it. What should have been an exciting and fulfilling milestone for us was joyless and unduly stressful thanks to Chadwick Lawrence. Avoid.
