Do I really need a lawyer to buy or sell a house ?

Thirty years ago a book called The Conveyancing Fraud, written by a solicitor, exposed how much lawyers were making from a process which mainly consists of form-filling and coordination. Then, conveyancing was over-priced and subsidised less profitable work. Freedom for solicitors to advertise changed all that. Charges for conveyancing dropped dramatically.

It's a laborious and boring job which for most people won't be worth the time and effort of doing it themselves to save a few hundred pounds. But there's nothing to stop you having a go. It's not advisable, though, if you're buying a flat, a newly-built house or a property not registered with the Land Registry: these are too complicated for DIYers. Since most do-it-yourself conveyancers rely on some hand-holding by the other side's solicitor, it's not a good idea for both sides to do their own.

Usually the process is straightforward but sometimes problems arise. The danger is that you may not spot them and the oversight might not show up till years later when you come to sell. Solicitors sometimes miss glitches too, but if you're using a lawyer and something goes wrong their insurers should pay up.

Buying a house can be a fraught process and it's reassuring to have someone on your side who knows the ropes. What if you're gazumped or the lender's valuer reckons the property is worth much less than the price you've agreed?

If you decide to use a solicitor, ask for recommendations from friends who've moved recently. Ring the recommended solicitors for quotes. Don't just pick the cheapest. Some cut corners because the profit margins are so slim. Charges depend largely on the firm's overheads, so don't use a firm in a high-priced area like central London.

Another option is a licensed conveyancer - a non-lawyer who specialises in conveyancing. Safeguards for the public are similar to those offered by solicitors, and there may not be much difference on price. DIY conveyancing is not advisable in Scotland, where the property buying and selling process is different from England and Wales.

Which? Way to Buy, Sell and Move House, published by the Consumers Association, has a step-by-step guide to conveyancing, including a chapter on doing it yourself, and a handy section on Scotland.