Find a Law Firm
approved by National BS
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the National BS 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 National Counties Building Society Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the National Counties Building Society Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the National Counties Building Society Conveyancing Panel
Common questions asked concerning the National Counties Building Society Solicitor Panel
I need to swap lawyers as my lawyer is not on the National Counties Building Society panel of conveyancing solicitors. Is it practical to instruct different lawyers?
If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to do anything for you and have just received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer you're considering.
Our conveyancer has identified a legal deficiency with the lease for the property we are purchasing. The seller’s lawyers have suggested title insurance as a workaround. We are happy with insurance and will pay for it. Our lawyer has advised that as he is on the National Counties Building Society conveyancing panel he must be satisfied that the lender is happy with this solution. Are we the client or is National Counties Building Society?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the potential for a conflict of interest, you and National Counties Building Society are the client. A precondition to being on the National Counties Building Society approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on National Counties Building Society). The CML Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects will the lease so that National Counties Building Society can be afforded the opportunity to check with their valuer as to the extent that the value of the property is affected . Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for you.
Are the lawyers identified as being on the National Counties Building Society conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by National Counties Building Society?
The law firm practices themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the National Counties Building Society conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from National Counties Building Society directly.
I would like to get my ex-wife removed the mortgage deeds. Can National Counties Building Society really tell me which solicitor I can or can not instruct?
You can use any solicitor you like but National Counties Building Society 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 National Counties Building Society solicitors panel
Do most banks operate their own panel of solicitors?
Many lenders do operate a restricted conveyancing panel but a lot of lenders allow any solicitors to join their panel so long as they meet their criteria. Each lender sets their own criteria. For example the National Counties Building Society conveyancing panel requirements are different to National Counties Building Society’s conveyancing panel criteria.
Why might a lender such as National Counties Building Society withdraw a mortgage offer?
Lenders such as National Counties Building Society can revoke their mortgage offer although this is unusual. If National Counties Building Society withdraw their offer they may or may not inform you or the lawyer as to their reasoning. There are various possible reasons but here are 5 examples:
- National Counties Building Society may amend or withdraw an offer if the National Counties Building Society conveyancing panel solicitor is unable to confirm compliance with any of the conditions of the mortgage offer or if any of the terms of the mortgage offer cannot be satisfied
- Amendments if purchase price adjusted and the loan to value limits exceeded by this. Please note that National Counties Building Society conveyancing panel solicitors would be obliged to notify National Counties Building Society of a change in the price of the property.
- Where the sale is not at arms length for value to unconnected persons
- Where the Lender’s right to possession is fettered in some way
- If the solicitor on the National Counties Building Society conveyancing panel acting for the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor cannot comply with National Counties Building Society ‘s instructions
Can I register a complaint to National Counties Building Society about the lawyers being on the National Counties Building Society conveyancing panel?
There is little point in complaining directly to National Counties Building Society. Every solicitor firm and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. You can get information from the solicitor’s or conveyancer’s website or ask at their office. They must tell you about it if you ask.
The Legal Ombudsman will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the solicitor. It can also advise you how to complain.
If a licensed conveyancer does not have a complaints procedure or will not tell you about it, contact the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the conveyancer. Please see below for more information.