The missive in English...

Dear Manuel,

Having not heard whether the vendors were in agreeance regarding the sale at 12:30 on the 17^th of this month, I contacted Javier who sent me the below emails and texts. I must admit to being at a loss as to why it has taken so long to be able to arrange this, and I still do not have a clear confirmation. Of course, I will not be ordering the transfer of the funds from Australia until the attendance of the vendors has been assured. Consequently, there will now be further unavoidable delays.

I have informed Javier on numerous occasions that I need sufficient prior notice to make the transfer and I am now not confident that I can pledge that I will have the funds in time for the 17^th. As I write there is only one bank trading day left before this week is over in Australia and with the next two days being the weekend, the chances of the transfer clearing to Spain and me being able to organize a bank cheque by Tuesday to bring on Wednesday are now as good as zero, even if I was to have a confirmation today, and there were to be no complications with the transfer.

As I do not know how long the process to complete the sale will take, I cannot guess if there is a possibility of completing the sale (and associated payments of taxes, connecting the water etc.) with sufficient time prior to my leaving for London (as I detailed previously) - without there being issues hanging over until my return in January. I would be pleased to know if you can say that these things can be done. If not, I believe we will need to put off the sale until January.

On another note, I have to say that I have become increasingly exasperated with Javier’s communications (when they exist) and was wondering if you could advise me whether I could simply put myself in contact directly with Antonio ? I have only a verbal agreement with Javier that he is acting as in intermediary between myself and Antonio on Antonio’s behalf. On this point I also hope that I can ask your advice; have you dealt with Antonio before and know him to be a reputable lawyer? I ask this as his written Spanish in his communication with Javier is strange, and hardly confidence inspiring.

On a final point, I would also like to ask, is it usual that the purchaser of a property pays the abogado of the vendors? This is what Javier is asking me to do (2% of the total purchase price). I would have thought that the vendors would pay Antonio for his services, would that be correct? As I have not signed anything to such an end, I am wondering if I am obliged to pay it?

I very much look forward to hearing from you soon, and that you may include your charges, and a copy of the escritura (which is now extremely urgent) so that I may have good time to check these prior to needing to make the transfer from Australia.

Kind regards