Legal fees and what a lawyer actually does

Why it is a range

Advocates' fees on property work are not fixed by statute. They are negotiable, and quotes vary widely for the same work. Anyone presenting a single precise number is guessing on your behalf. Get two or three written quotes before you instruct.

What the fee should cover

• A title search at the Land Registry, confirming who owns the land and what is registered against it
• Checking for mortgages, memos or other encumbrances — particularly a developer's loan secured on the whole development
• Reviewing and negotiating the sale contract rather than accepting the developer's draft
• Lodging the contract at the Land Registry within the required period
• Applying for Council of Ministers permission if you are a non-EU buyer
• Acting on the transfer of title when it issues

Independence matters more than price

Do not use an advocate introduced by the seller or the developer, however convenient it is. Their interest is in the transaction completing. Yours is in knowing whether it should. We do not run a lawyer directory and take no fee from any advocate.

Beyond the fee

Budget separately for disbursements: Land Registry search fees, certified translations, powers of attorney and courier costs. These are small individually and add up to a few hundred euros.