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I can trump Richard Fisher’s story. Some years ago I returned to the office at 3.20 on a Friday afternoon to be met by two gentlemen who asked to see me. (No appointment or advance warning)

“We’ve come for the contract they said “What contract said I” “The contract” they said. “We’re buying some property from your client Mr X” News to me I thought but promised to ‘phone my client.

So I sent them back to their solicitor and ‘phoned Mr X who confirmed the sale and asked if we could exchange that day.

I asked after the deeds and was assured we had them – a registered title, no problems and no mortgage. I then mentioned local searches but was told the buyers’ solicitors had already attended to that. (He had 24 advance warning, had organized a personal search, and was in funds for the deposit)

So I faxed the title across (it was before computers, e-mail, scanners, attachments, etc.) and sent the contract on an hour later. I the meantime I went through the standard form preliminary enquiries for commercial property with my client, dictated the answers to my secretary, and faxed those off.

It was a vacant piece of land and had planning permission for the intended use. (No need for a survey, insurance, or evidence of approval of works under the BRs)

By 5 p.m. we were both ready to exchange. I secured faxed authority for one of my fellow partners to sign the contract as agent for the client - he was a sole owner (I never signed anything if I could avoid it!)

The client was well known to my firm, as was the other solicitor. Money laundering regulations were for the future and client retainer letters were limited to a page or so.

At 5.10 we exchanged.

I was of course lucky. No estate agents. No chain. Deeds available, money not a problem, both sides ready, willing and able to do what it took, etc., etc.

This however is not the day to day reality.

When my wife and I bought our house in 1985 it took 6-9 months. The problem was a "jobs worth” surveyor's report which necessitated the commissioning of an engineer’s report on our old house. Our buyer was happy with this delay, our sellers were more than happy with this (had they not been we would have lost the house) and their seller – executors, tolerated the position.

Not everyone wants speed even if they think they do.