--- title: "Choosing the Right Solicitor in Property Finance: What Anastasia Learned from Matthew Stayt - Independent Legal Advice | ILA | UK's Leading ILA Provider" description: "In this episode of ILA On Air, Anastasia speaks with Matthew Stayt about how to choose the right solicitor, avoid delays, and understand the role of legal expertise in property finance." url: "https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts/choosing-the-right-solicitor" date: "2026-05-31T10:55:01+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # Choosing the Right Solicitor in Property Finance: What Anastasia Learned from Matthew Stayt - [ ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts/choosing-the-right-solicitor "Facebook") - [ ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts/choosing-the-right-solicitor "LinkedIn") - [ ](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts/choosing-the-right-solicitor&text=Choosing%20the%20Right%20Solicitor%20in%20Property%20Finance:%20What%20Anastasia%20Learned%20from%20Matthew%20Stayt "X (formerly Twitter)") In this week’s episode of *ILA On Air,* Anastasia sat down with Matthew Stayt from Seddons to explore a topic that sits at the centre of every property transaction, yet is often misunderstood in practice. Choosing the right solicitor. While most people recognise that a solicitor is required to complete a deal, the conversation moved beyond that basic understanding. Instead, it focused on how the type of solicitor you appoint can directly influence the speed, structure and outcome of a transaction. At its core, this episode examined the role of legal expertise within property finance. Not just as a requirement, but as a factor that can either support or slow down progress, depending on how well it aligns with the deal. Here is what Anastasia took away from the discussion. ### Not all legal expertise is interchangeable One of the most important takeaways from the conversation was the distinction between general conveyancing and specialist property finance work. At a high level, both involve property transactions. However, the similarities often stop there. Bridging and development finance introduce additional layers of complexity. These can include tighter deadlines, different funding structures, and more detailed legal documentation such as personal guarantees, legal charges and security arrangements. Matthew explained that while the foundations may be similar, the application is different. A solicitor who regularly handles standard residential transactions may not be familiar with the pace or requirements of bridging finance. For Anastasia, this highlighted a key point. Legal expertise in property is not one-dimensional. It is contextual. Choosing a solicitor without considering the type of deal can lead to avoidable friction later in the process. ### Experience directly impacts speed Another key theme from the episode was how experience influences the pace of a transaction. Delays are often attributed to a lack of urgency. In reality, they are frequently caused by a lack of familiarity. A solicitor who has experience in bridging or development finance is more likely to understand: - How to respond to lender requirements - What documentation is needed and when - How to manage compressed timelines In contrast, someone encountering these elements for the first time may need additional time to process and respond. Anastasia observed that this difference is not always visible at the outset. Both options may appear equally capable. The impact only becomes clear once the transaction is underway. This reinforces the importance of selecting a solicitor based on relevant experience rather than general capability. ### Fee pressure can affect service quality The discussion also addressed the role of pricing within the legal market. There is significant competition for work, which has led to downward pressure on fees. While this may appear beneficial on the surface, it can create challenges in delivery. Matthew explained that firms operating on lower fees often rely on higher volumes of work to remain profitable. This increases caseloads and reduces the time available to allocate to each transaction. For Anastasia, this highlighted a practical consideration. Lower cost does not always equate to better value. In property finance, where timing and coordination are critical, reduced service levels can lead to delays that outweigh any initial cost savings. ### Communication shapes the transaction experience A consistent theme throughout the episode was the importance of communication. Many of the frustrations experienced in transactions are not caused by complexity alone. They are often the result of limited or unclear communication between parties. Matthew emphasised that even when delays occur, clear updates and expectation management can significantly improve the experience. Good communication allows: - Issues to be identified early - Expectations to be managed realistically - Parties to remain aligned throughout the process Anastasia noted that communication is often underestimated. It is treated as an added benefit rather than a core requirement. In practice, it is one of the main factors that determines how smoothly a transaction progresses. ### Relationships improve efficiency over time Another important takeaway was the role of existing relationships within the industry. Property finance transactions involve multiple parties, including brokers, lenders, and legal teams. When these parties have worked together previously, processes tend to be more efficient. There is a shared understanding of expectations, communication styles and requirements. This reduces the need for repeated clarification and allows transactions to move forward more quickly. Matthew highlighted that in some cases, legal teams can begin preparing for a deal before formal instructions are even received, simply based on prior experience with the parties involved. For Anastasia, this reinforced the value of building and maintaining professional relationships over time. ### Dual representation introduces both benefits and risks The conversation also explored the concept of dual representation, where a single solicitor acts for both the lender and the borrower. While this approach can increase efficiency in certain scenarios, it also introduces potential risks. If a conflict of interest arises during the transaction, the solicitor may need to step away from acting for both parties. This can disrupt the process, particularly if it occurs at a later stage. As a result, some firms choose not to offer dual representation in order to maintain clarity and reduce the risk of complications. Anastasia observed that this reflects a broader theme from the episode. Efficiency should not come at the expense of stability. ### Looking ahead: legal alignment as a competitive advantage The overall insight from this episode is that legal support is not simply a procedural step in property finance. It is a strategic component of the transaction. Choosing the right solicitor, with the right experience and approach, can improve speed, reduce friction and support better outcomes. As the market continues to evolve, this alignment between deal type and legal expertise is likely to become even more important. Anastasia noted that while many aspects of property finance can change, the need for the right people in the right roles remains constant. ### Want to hear the full conversation? This article is based on this episode of ILA On Air, where Anastasia is joined by Matthew Stayt to explore how to choose the right solicitor and avoid common delays in property finance transactions. You can listen to the full episode here: If you are a broker, developer or investor looking to better understand how legal expertise impacts deal outcomes, this episode offers a practical and grounded perspective. ### Tiny disclaimer alert 🚨 This is not advice from iLA, it is simply a helpful summary of our conversations on ILA On Air, our educational podcast for the property finance community, making the complicated simple. [Read the full article >](https://xn66g.mjt.lu/nl3/MWaw1V1kx3ptwBU9n_-DeA?m=AXIAAC5JbqYAAckqdfoAALosXk4AAYCr_IwAm-R-ABYXTQBlWvk2MU8Ufd7SSOur6CKN10_alwATiL0&b=1978e715&e=c87d3fbe&x=aUS8oJ5WoNjXQ_cnJYFqn7a5BNwauWhJTE7IUnxSrWo) **[ANASTASIA TTOFIS](https://www.ila.co.uk/about-us/anastasia)** CO-FOUNDER & CEO [020 4571 9207](tel:020%204571%209207) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasia-ila/) ![Anastasia Ttofis](https://www.ila.co.uk/images/2025/06/02/anastasia-white-bg.webp) ### Recent Articles ### [Choosing the Right Solicitor in Property Finance: What Anastasia Learned from Matthew Stayt](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts/choosing-the-right-solicitor) [➜](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts/choosing-the-right-solicitor) ### [Partnerships in Property Finance: What Anastasia Learned from Charlotte Rutter](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts/property-partnerships) [➜](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts/property-partnerships) [![Risks of signing a personal guarantee, company director signing documents.](https://www.ila.co.uk/images/2026/05/17/business-meeting-with-signing-of-contract-agreement_thumbnail.jpg)](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/education/signing-personal-guarantee-risks)### [What Directors Should Know Before Signing a Personal Guarantee](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/education/signing-personal-guarantee-risks) [➜](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/education/signing-personal-guarantee-risks) ### [Why Most Property Businesses Are Not Ready for AI (Yet): What Anastasia Learned from Max Bryden](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts/how-to-use-ai-in-property-finance) [➜](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts/how-to-use-ai-in-property-finance) [![Documents needed for independent legal advice, client with an independent legal advisor.](https://www.ila.co.uk/images/2026/05/17/meeting-with-legal-documents_thumbnail.jpg)](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/education/ila-appointment-documents)### [What Documents Do You Need for an ILA Appointment?](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/education/ila-appointment-documents) [➜](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/education/ila-appointment-documents) [![ILA certificate mistakes, A person ready to sign a paper during a legal meeting](https://www.ila.co.uk/images/2026/05/17/ILA-certificate-mistakes_thumbnail.jpg)](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/education/avoid-invalid-ila-certificate)### [What Makes an ILA Certificate Invalid (and How to Avoid It)](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/education/avoid-invalid-ila-certificate) [➜](https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/education/avoid-invalid-ila-certificate) ## Schema ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.ila.co.uk" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Education & Media", "item": "https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Podcasts", "item": "https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Choosing the Right Solicitor in Property Finance: What Anastasia Learned from Matthew Stayt", "item": "https://www.ila.co.uk/news-awards/podcasts/choosing-the-right-solicitor.md" } ] } ```