Duncan Lewis' Solicitor Featured in This is Money on Legal Fees after Cancelled Sale (16 February 2026)

Manjinder Kaur Atwal, Director of Housing Law at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, has been featured in This is Money (MailOnline) providing expert legal commentary on conveyancing fees when a property transaction is cancelled shortly after instruction.

The article examined a reader’s situation after they were forced to withdraw from a house sale and purchase due to sudden serious illness just three business days after appointing a conveyancer. Having already paid £100 on account, the reader queried what level of “abortive costs” would be reasonable.

Manjinder explained that while conveyancers are entitled to charge for work actually undertaken, they cannot bill for work that was merely anticipated. She stressed that timing is key, particularly where a file has not yet progressed to substantive stages such as reviewing title documents, ordering searches or raising enquiries.

In such early-stage cancellations, fees should typically be modest and proportionate, often limited to administrative steps such as file opening and anti-money laundering checks. Manjinder also clarified that documents supplied by a client remain their property and should not be withheld pending calculation of fees.

She further advised that clients concerned about excessive invoices should request a detailed breakdown, follow the firm’s complaints procedure if necessary, and consider referral to the legal ombudsman if the matter remains unresolved.

About the instructing team:

Manjinder Kaur Atwal, Director of Housing, is recognised by the Chambers UK legal directory as a UK-wide notable practitioner, offering strength across a wide range of social housing matters, including interim relief and homelessness applications. She heads a Housing Team ranked Tier 1 across the South East by The Legal 500 for its "excellent knowledge of the law" and "extensive experience". The department is recognised as a market-leader in all areas of social housing and property litigation including disrepair, unlawful evictions, homelessness, possession disputes, and complex judicial review matters.

Contact Manjinder via email at manjindera@duncanlewis.com or by telephone at 07342 081 785.

Duncan Lewis’ Housing Team

Duncan Lewis' Housing team, ranked by The Legal 500 directory as a Top Tier practice for its services, offers both publicly funded (legal aid) and privately funded legal services from 14 key offices nationwide. Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors can guide clients in any matter or issues arising with local housing authorities, housing applications, tenants, landlords, ownership and repairs. With a niche expertise in unlawful eviction, disrepair and homelessness matters the team offers representation in all proceedings including reviews, appeals and judicial review proceedings.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is an award-winning Times Top 250 law firm, which is ranked as Top Tier by both the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 directories. The company represents clients in more than 25 practice areas across 13 key offices nationwide. This year the company was crowned Law Firm of the Year at the Lexis Nexis awards 2024 and has been noted for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.