Find a Law Firm
approved by FirstDirect
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the FirstDirect list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
How does my firm apply to be on the First Direct Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the First Direct Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the First Direct Conveyancing Panel
First Direct Solicitor Panel Sample Enquires to our Call Center
On what basis would a law firm be excluded from the First Direct approved conveyancing panel?
A survey recently commissioned by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority found that three quarters of solicitor practices had been removed from a lender panel. The most common reasons in order are :
- lack of transactions
- the lawyer is a sole practitioner
- as part of the HSBC panel reduction
- regulatory contact by SRA
- accidental removal. We are not aware of the specific or common criteria for removal by First Direct
I am buying a new build apartment and my lawyer is informing me that she has to disclose incentives from the seller as her firm is on the First Direct conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to exchange and I would rather not delay the conveyancing. Is my lawyer right?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the First Direct approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on First Direct). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Do I need to have a meeting at the offices of the First Direct conveyancing panel solicitor to execute the legal charge? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Manchester
so that I can pop in to their offices if required.
Most conveyancing panel lawyers for First Direct undertake all of the work via the post, internet or over the phone. This means that they can undertake your Conveyancing Transaction no matter where you live in England or Wales. However you should check if you can still book an appointment to go into appointed conveyancing lawyer if you prefer.
I am trying to get my ex-husband removed the mortgage deeds. Can First Direct really tell me which solicitor I can or can not use?
You can use any solicitor you like but First Direct then has the right to appoint a different solicitor to act for them at your expense. It might be more cost effective and quicker to instruct a lawyer who is on the First Direct solicitors panel
I'm in the process of viewing apartments and now considering a potential offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I I am planning to take a mortgage with First Direct
You should start obtaining conveyancing quotes from solicitors ASAP. Once you decide who you want to use and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on the the estate agent. As you are getting a mortgage with First Direct , make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the First Direct conveyancing panel.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat. I have a mortgage offer with First Direct. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should use one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with First Direct you will need to appoint a solicitor on the First Direct conveyancing panel.
My offer was accepted on a house on the 7th February 2014, valuation was booked 2 days later, all came back fine. Conveyancer instructed, so the only thing outstanding was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to First Direct and chasing them on my offer I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the First Direct conveyancing panel. Are First Direct entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?
Mortgage companies tend not to not issue a mortgage until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for First Direct to deal with your lawyers application to be on the First Direct conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitors will be accepted.
Other Topics
Transfer of Equity for First DirectPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors