Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with the Solicitors Regulation Authority on the role of solicitors who are recommended to buyers by builders who are trying to sell leasehold homes; and if he will make a statement.

The legal profession is independent of government. Solicitors have a duty under their Code of Conduct to act in the best interests of each client, protect client money and assets, and not allow their independence to be compromised. The Solicitors Regulation Authority is aware that concerns have been raised in the media that solicitors are being recommended to buyers by property developers, and that the risks of purchasing a leasehold house have not always been brought to buyers’ attention, and is monitoring the situation.

Homebuyers who have concerns that a solicitor may have breached the Code of Conduct should report this to the Solicitors Regulation Authority, and if homebuyers have concerns over poor service provided by a lawyer they can complain to the independent Legal Ombudsman.