Remortgage issues

[goosebuster]

I have recently remortgaged. Very simple switch from one deal to another, shortened term slightly but no additional borrowing or anything complex.

Unfortunately the lender appointed a solicitor, who was horrific and missed my required completion date by 8 days due to negligence and the fact they quite honestly didn't give a shit. I obviously complained, 1 because of the missed completion date and 2 because of their slowness and the inability to contact them (phones ringing out for 30 mins minimum). They have admitted fault and have offered to pay me the difference between interest rates, which works out at a measly £20, but better in my pocket than theirs I guess. They have however told me that because I chose to represent myself, it is expected that I woukd have been in touch to check on progress (not every day and at every step of the way I wouldn't have thought...).

Could I have appointed a solicitor? I thought that the lender had chosen them to represent me? Why would I appoint a solicitor to chase the lender appointed solicitor? I'm a bit confused to be totally honest and wondering if they are trying to do this to make me think that they are in the wrong so I think it isn't worth pursuing?

I'm in Scotland if this makes any difference. Is anyone able to help clarify for me?

Wee bump in case anyone is around who is able to help!

The solicitor was almost certainly acting for the Lender and not for you
You could have instructed your own solicitor
This should have been made clear to you

When we remortgaged recently we had two options for solicitor support.
The first (which sounds like what you had and what we chose) was a solicitor appointed by the lender, working on behalf of the lender. We had to do all of the chasing, which was significant (phone, email, letter, constant reminders and checking) as the date approached. This was free and included within the mortgage deal.
We were also offered the ability to instruct our own solicitor to act on our behalf, this cost money.
Our mortgage broker explained it all to us.

Having the same issue with Halifx and their appointed company "Optima legal" awful company been dragging on 5 months now. sorry not helpful but feel the frustration

Ours was Halifax too, but the company was Solex Legal Services.

We are using optima legal too - appointed by Barclays. Absolutely dreadful and now costing us money as 3 months has lapsed and we are now on previous lender's SVR. Optima are obviously taking 6 months plus to do what they could in 6 weeks. Avoid at all costs. We are now considering switching to a new conveyancer because I don't believe they will complete by end of Jan when the rate runs out. That sounds ridiculous but you wouldn't believe the incompetence of this company.