Why Your Solicitor Matters in Bridging Deals

In bridging finance, your solicitor can be just as important as your lender. The wrong one can delay or even derail your deal. The right one can help you complete with confidence, even under pressure.

At Avid Finance, we’ve seen both scenarios. We’ve worked with borrowers who lost valuable time (and nearly the deal itself) because their solicitor didn’t understand bridging. We’ve also seen how a responsive, experienced solicitor can keep a deal moving despite tight deadlines or legal complexity.

This guide explains why solicitor choice matters so much in bridging transactions, and how to make sure you’ve got the right support in place.

Bridging loans move faster than traditional mortgages. They’re often used to meet auction deadlines, secure time-sensitive investments, or unlock capital for chain breaks. This pace puts pressure on everyone involved, and your solicitor is no exception.

Unlike standard conveyancing, a bridging deal typically involves:

• Time-critical undertakings
• Time-critical registration of charges
• Title insurance policies and/or indemnities
• Concessions and conditions subsequent
• Clauses with commercial implications

It’s not about being aggressive. It’s about being efficient. A solicitor who understands bridging can anticipate what’s needed, communicate clearly, and work effectively with the lender’s legal team. One who doesn’t may slow things down or raise unnecessary obstacles.

A solicitor with experience in bridging finance brings more than legal expertise. They bring pace, accuracy, and commercial awareness.
In practice, that means:

• Fast turnaround times on key documents and replies
• Familiarity with common lender requirements and clause wording
• Confidence in giving undertakings when required
• Comfort handling personal guarantees, lease controls, and security documents
• Clear communication with both you and the lender’s solicitor

They also know which issues matter and which don’t. They won’t delay the deal by pushing back on standard wording or insisting on unnecessary approvals.

We supported a client who had agreed to a bridging facility with a standard clause requiring lender approval for any new leases during the loan term. The clause wasn’t unusual — it was included due to the lender’s title insurance policy.

The lease in question was simple, low-risk, and aligned with the lender’s interests. Still, the borrower’s solicitor insisted on finalising the lease and securing written approval before progressing.

That insistence led to several days of unnecessary back-and-forth. The clock was ticking, and the whole purpose of the bridge — to move quickly and secure the purchase — was in jeopardy. We stepped in, clarified the commercial position, and worked directly with the lender’s solicitor to reassure all parties. The deal went ahead, but only just.

Another client was purchasing a property at auction and had just 20 days left to complete. The title included easements and uncertain access rights — enough to raise concerns for a cautious solicitor.

Their existing solicitor flagged the issues but couldn’t commit to resolving them in time. We recommended a solicitor we’d worked with before — someone familiar with bridging deals and confident under pressure.

Within days, they reviewed the title, proposed a practical solution that satisfied the lender, and progressed the legal work quickly. The deal completed on time, and the client secured the asset without disruption.

We work with experienced solicitors who specialise in bridging finance. Over the years, we’ve seen which individuals — not just firms — consistently deliver under pressure.

When we recommend a solicitor, it’s because we’ve seen them:

• Respond quickly and consistently
• Understand lender expectations
• Communicate clearly and calmly
• Solve problems instead of creating them

If we think your solicitor might slow things down, we’ll tell you. And if you need a better option, we’ll introduce someone who’s already helped dozens of Avid clients complete successfully.

Choosing the right solicitor isn’t about firm size or location. It’s about experience, mindset, and knowing how to keep a deal moving.

In bridging finance, your solicitor plays a vital role in keeping the deal on track. The right legal support helps you act quickly, meet deadlines, and manage risks without unnecessary delay.

If you’re unsure whether your solicitor is the right fit, talk to us. We’ll give you a straight answer and help make sure your deal has the legal support it needs to succeed.

Call Dan Scott on 020 3920 6920 or get in touch with Avid Finance today.