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Not to mention the way in which small firms have steadily been hoofed off the panels of some lenders simply because their transaction volumes are modest. My property partner provides a high quality service to clients who are not interested in saving a few quid only to find they are dealing with a call centre full of 'school leavers' rather than an efficient and experienced property lawyer with whose firm they have built a solid relationship over years (in many cases, decades). Then one day they apply to Nationwide or Santander for a mortgage and are appalled to be told they must: (1) find another firm they don't want; (2) pay extra for separate representation (which some lenders won't allow anyway) or (3) switch lender. It fills us with huge joy that most take the second or third option (especially the third).