My neighbour and co-freeholder is extending their lease and of course as part of the process I am happy to oblige with signatures.

I told their conveyancer that I should not have to cover any of the legal costs, which I expected there are reasonably few(?). My neighbour kindly agreed but the conveyancer has asked me to sign the new deed with a witness, but the witness must be another law firm. Which apparently means I have to go through the laborious process of proving my identity in the form of producing several official passport photos, and going into a solicitor's office with passport to have it witnessed 'officially'.

My question is, a) must the lease be witnessed by a solicitor? I cannot find anything online saying it has to be, and it was absolutely not the condition when I acquired the flat in the first place

b) do I have to jump through the hoops of having passport photos taken, printed etc? Then the request for reimbursements for the costs? Seems OTT

I would probably pay for it all myself if it meant I didn't have to jump through said hoops as I travel a lot with work and it's a busy period!

So any advice, guidance, or comments humouring my moaning, are very welcome!