House purchase fell through. I want seller to pay my legal costs

[robusttoday]

We were buying a house, and we were quite near exchange.
Then, out of the blue, the seller decided not to sell.
I've incurred costs. AIBU to expect the seller to re-imburse my costs.
I think I'm probably entitled .....?

This happened to us. Divorcing couple were our vendors. We were exchanging on a Thursday and completing on the next day. She moved into rented in anticipation of the sale on the morning we were due to exchange contracts. He promptly took the house off the market (was in his name only) and changed the locks. All very much complicated by the fact that our children were in the same class of 20 at a small village school.

He told the estate agent that it was us who had pulled out as the agents wanted to apply the abortive sale clause in their contract and charge him their fees. Unfortunately for him I was more than happy to share the email from his solicitor, which had come via our solicitors, confirming that he had pulled out. Cost him £6k apparently.

We lost about £2k but, having found out a little more about his violence and controlling behaviour I was more than happy to lose it as it meant his wife was able to get away from him. I see her on school run occasionally and she looks healthy and happy.

We're now waiting to complete on a much nicer house in a much better location.

These things happen for a reason!