It isn’t a legal obligation to hire a solicitor. However, a property purchase has many moving parts and it is rarely a good idea to attempt to do it yourself. An experienced solicitor will handle matters such as title investigations, searches, contracts and Stamp Duty Land Tax, and will liaise with estate agents, mortgage providers, the local authority, the Land Registry and other third parties. Hiring a solicitor not only takes away the hassle, but it also gives you peace of mind that you have identified any hidden legal issues and are getting the best deal out of the purchase. If you are buying a property with the help of a mortgage, then the lender will usually require you to have a conveyancing solicitor in place.