Newly merged Bristol firm TLT is the first law firm to reach agreement with top mortgage broker John Charcol, part of the Bradford & Bingley Group, to act as a conveyancing partner.It is understood that six law firms are to be named as partners to John Charcol's on-line service as it branches into on-line conveyancing.A John Charcol spokesman said that around 25 firms had tendered for the work and the winners would include a spread of networks, 'direct conveyancing organisations' and bulk conveyancing firms.

Richard Waller, head of TLT's lender services team, said that while it was difficult to predict with such a new venture, the firm anticipated 'hundreds of instructions a month' from John Charcol.

Neil Rose