How to check a bond attorney will move at the pace your bank needs

You've just had your offer to purchase accepted, your bank has pre-approved your bond, and you're racing the calendar—many property sales close within 60 days. Your bank has told you the registration attorney must submit your bond application within a specific window, or you risk losing the property or paying penalty rates. How do you know the bond attorney will actually move at that pace?

A slow conveyancer isn't just inconvenient. If your attorney misses your bank's deadline, the bond may be rejected, the sale collapses, or you're forced into bridging finance. So before you sign the instruction letter, run concrete checks that measure not reputation, but actual speed and reliability.

Check their track record with your specific bank

Banks have preferred panel attorneys because they've seen those firms deliver on time, repeatedly. Ask your bank's bond administrator directly: "Which attorneys do you use most, and which ones have the fastest turnaround on applications?" Banks track this. They'll give you names of firms that consistently hit their timelines.

If the attorney you're considering isn't mentioned, ask why. It might mean they're newer, working outside the usual channels, or—more concerning—they don't have a history the bank relies on. Request a reference from your bank: you want written or verbal confirmation that this firm submits applications promptly.

Request proof of recent turnaround times

Don't ask "How fast do you work?" They'll say "Very fast." Instead, ask a specific question: "Can you give me three recent examples of bond applications you submitted, with the dates you received the deed of sale from the transfer attorney and the dates you submitted to the bank?" Ask for the timeline in writing.

A competent bond attorney should be able to produce this within 48 hours. If they hedge, refuse, or give vague answers, that's a warning. You're not asking for client names—just the elapsed days between receiving documents and submitting the application. Most should do it in 5 to 10 working days if the transfer attorney's papers are clean.

Also ask: "What's your process if my bank requests supplementary documents after the initial submission?" Delays often happen here. You want an attorney who has systems to turn documents around within 24 hours, not someone who batch-processes queries weekly.

Call previous clients and ask the right questions

Request at least two references—specifically, recent clients whose sales closed within the past six months. When you call them, don't ask "Were you happy?" Ask this: "From the day your transfer attorney handed over your documents to the bond attorney, how many working days until they submitted the application to the bank? Did the bank ask for anything extra, and how quickly did the attorney provide it? Did the deadline feel tight, or did you have buffer time?"

You're listening for a specific pattern: fast initial submission, quick responses to queries, and the client's sense of whether the attorney was chasing deadlines or coasting. If someone says "I wasn't sure what was happening and just hoped it would work out," that attorney doesn't communicate urgently.

Clarify fees tied to speed

Some attorneys charge a fixed conveyancing fee for the full transaction—transfer, bond registration, and cancellation. Others may quote hourly rates or charge add-ons for rush work. Ask directly: "If my bank needs documents faster than your standard process, will you prioritise it, and will it cost more?"

This matters because it reveals whether they have the capacity and flexibility to move quickly when needed. An attorney who says "I always prioritise bank deadlines—it's standard" is safer than one who says "Yes, but that'll be extra."

Before you instruct anyone, confirm in writing that they understand your bank's deadline, that they've committed to submit by a specific date, and what they'll do if the transfer attorney runs late. A bond attorney who moves at your bank's pace isn't a luxury—it's a prerequisite. You can verify all of this before signing. If an attorney won't give you timelines, proof, and references, move on. Strove lets you compare verified conveyancers and read real feedback from recent clients, so you can cross-check speed and reliability before you commit.