Settlement Agents are licensed under the Real Estate and Settlement Agents Act. They are authorised to draw up settlement documents, to adjust the outgoings and to lodge documents on behalf of the vendor and purchaser. They are not permitted to draw some contracts or offer legal advice.

Conveyancing Solicitors can do everything a settlement agent can do as well as preparing all legal contracts and offering comprehensive legal advice.

Ronson Mackinlay Conveyancers generally charge in accordance with the Settlement Agents Fee Scale. If you ask for additional advice or for documents to be prepared, then you may be charged for such services. You will be advised when you start to incur these costs.

Many people forget the other issues involved which need to be considered and put in place at the time of settlement. Examples include:

1. •Partnership agreement
   

2. •Shareholders agreement
   

3. •Key person insurance
   

4. •Lease assignments
   

5. •Advice to guarantors when borrowing
   

6. •Advice when vendors allow the purchaser to pay by instalment
   

7. •Security for unpaid purchase instalments
   

8. •Dispute resolution
   

9. •Contract interpretation
   

In many cases we can represent both vendor and purchaser on a sale, particularly in straightforward purchases.

Where the purchase price is high, the terms are complicated and require supervision or where there are vendor terms involved it is wise for both parties to be separately represented. We will advise you whether you need a separate conveyancer to act for you in a particular transaction.

Mackinlays Solicitors, our affiliated legal firm, contact details here