Regarding conveyancing solicitors, the main thing I see in these threads is the completely unrealistic expectations of buyers and sellers as to when they want to exchange and complete. There are lots of groups involved in the transaction and all need to be in agreement regarding dates. The conveyancing solicitor is working for their client in the legal aspects of buying and selling and is not going to agree dates when there are still outstanding matters, regardless of how much the client shouts, screams and demands that this and that are done today and, if not done, threatens to pull out or refuses to pay our fees.
I am a conveyancing assistant and I'm sitting in the office today where the fee earner is going crazy because a transaction is due to be completed on Thursday and there is a problem because the client has paid the deposit with a bankers draft. This has caused a problem because although generally speaking a bankers draft won't bounce, the fact is that the client can stop the payment while it is clearing means that we can't complete until funds are cleared which takes around 6 working days. The client was informed that they needed to TT the deposit money but apparently thought they knew better and the client has been on the phone all morning shouting and screaming. This was not our fault but yet we are expected to put it right. Client has now cancelled the bankers draft and will be transferring funds but will no doubt make a complaint once the transaction is completed, which will mean yet more time wasted in reviewing the case.
Ever since I have worked in this field, I have been aghast at the way clients think they can ring hourly, daily and demand that this and that are done as though they call the shots. I constantly see on these threads statements like "after all we are paying for their service" and yet actually when you compare the fees to how much Estate Agents charge, it is a bargain. A house is expensive and to try and cut corners on conveyancing or rushing things through just is madness. I do understand how frustrating it is when you are waiting on a document to be forwarded and while a lot can be emailed, some cannot, and your solicitor has no priority over how long it takes other parties to provide various documents, and/or the method by which it is sent.
The above is just one example of things going wrong. There are so many other areas where it is not clear cut, but yet clients seem to think by hassling the solicitor every day will result in things being done quicker, but all it does is raise the risk of a serious mistake being made.
Sorry for getting on my high horse but if you saw it from this side, you would understand how important it is to get it right.