Why do you have to pay a solicitor for a stamp duty form

[kerrymucklowe2020]

When there's no stamp duty? Or have I missed something?

For what?

Because they have to submit a return to HMRC whether SDLT is payable or not.

yes, you have missed.
it is for HMRC to approve the exemption not your solicitor nor you, therefore they need to submit it.

Ahhhhh. Cheers for that