I am purchasing an apartment in Surrey. My property lawyer is not listed on the mortgage company solicitor list. Can I still retain my Surrey conveyancing solicitor even though they are excluded from the lender list of approved lawyers?

You have a number of alternatives available to you here

• Carry on with your existing Surrey solicitor but your bank will need to appoint a conveyancing practitioner from their conveyancing panel. The net result is additional charges and likely delay.
• Choose a fresh solicitor to act in the purchase, obviously checking they are on the mortgage company conveyancing panel.
• Convince your solicitor to attempt to join the mortgage company panel

What does my ID and proof of funds have anything to do with my conveyancing in Surrey? Is this really warranted?

Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identity of the person or body they are dealing with prior to agreeing to accepting their conveyancing business. The Client Care letter that you are required to sign should reaffirm this. Your lender will also require certain documents to be viewed. Should you refuse to provide identification documents, your conveyancer will not be able to take you on as a client.

I am considering applying for a Lloyds mortgage for purchase of a new build (under development) in Surrey with 60% LTV. Is it compulsory to choose a solicitor on the conveyancing panel for Lloyds ?

In theory, you could use a solicitor that is not on the Lloyds conveyancing panel, but Lloyds would require one of their panel solicitors to be instructed to act in their interests, and you'd have to pay for this - so most people instruct a panel solicitor. It's also easier, as otherwise you'd have to deal with two solicitors for the same conveyancing matter.

I am selling our home in Surrey and the buyers lawyers are claiming that there is a risk of it being built on contaminated land. A local lawyer would know that there is no such problem. It does beg the question why the purchasers are using an online conveyancing firm rather than a conveyancing solicitor in Surrey. Having lived in Surrey for 5 years we know of no issue. Is it a good idea to get in touch with our local Authority to obtain clarification that there is no issue.

It sounds as though you may have a conveyancing firm currently acting for you. Are they able to advise? You need to check with your lawyer before you do anything. It is very possible that once the local authority has been informed of a potential issue it cannot be insured against (a bit like being diagnosed with a serious illness and then taking out life insurance to cover that same illness)

Do I need to have a meeting at the offices of the mortgage company conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the legal charge? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Surrey so that I can attend their offices if necessary.

As opposed to ten years ago, most lenders no longer require their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the borrowers signature. You will still be obliged to provide ID Documents and there are still distinct advantages to using a local solicitor, in your case a conveyancing solicitor in Surrey.