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approved by RBS - Direct Line

Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the RBS - Direct Line list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.

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Looking for information about your firm's panel status?

How does my firm apply to be on the The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages Conveyancing Panel?

Find an Approved Solicitor on the The Royal Bank of Scotland plc Direct Line Mortgages Conveyancing Panel

Frequently asked questions relating to the RBS - Direct Line Solicitor Panel

I need to swap lawyers as my lawyer is not on the RBS - Direct Line panel of conveyancing solicitors. Is it advisable to appoint a new law firm?
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.
Please assist. For no fault of my lawyer but, my purchase conveyancing has been going on for months. The Local Authority Search from RBS - Direct Line was issued random date and we have agreed a date for me to move into the property on 6 months + 3. My solicitor says that as she is on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel she needs to redo the searches as they are no longer valid.
One of the many conditions to being on the RBS - Direct Line approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on RBS - Direct Line)which specifies that a local authority search be not more than 6 months old. You should nevertheless ask your lawyer to check whether something called ‘search validation’ indemnity insurance is acceptable to RBS - Direct Line.
Do I have to pop into the offices of the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the mortgage deed? If so, I will appoint a lawyer who conducts conveyancing in Bristol so that I can attend their offices when needed.
As opposed to twenty years ago, most lenders no longer require their conveyancing panel solicitor to witness the borrowers signature. You will still be obliged to provide ID Documents and there are still distinct advantages to using a local solicitor, in your case a conveyancing solicitor in Bristol .
I am trying to get my ex-husband taken off the mortgage deeds. Can RBS - Direct Line really insist on which solicitor I can or can not retain?
You can use any solicitor you like but RBS - Direct Line 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 RBS - Direct Line solicitors panel
Are all solicitors on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel overseen by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?
As solicitors, in order to be on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the SRA. Many lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
Is it common for RBS - Direct Line to withdraw a mortgage offer and what would be the reasoning?
Banks and Building Societies such as RBS - Direct Line can revoke their mortgage offer although this rarely happens. should RBS - Direct Line withdraw their offer they may or may not inform you or the lawyer as to the reasons why. There are various possible reasons but here are a number of examples:
  • If the borrower informs RBS - Direct Line of a change in security address
  • Where the purchase price and borrowers direct contribution differ to details on the mortgage application form completed by the borrower
  • Where to proceed with the Mortgage offer would be unlawful
  • Where the sale is not at arms length for value to unconnected persons
  • If the lender reasonably suspects that the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor is involved in any criminal or fraudulent activity, including trading in illegal drugs or other substances, theft, robbery, deception or other serious offences, or if the applicant borrower, mortgagor or guarantor has a conviction for any serious criminal offence, including theft, deception, fraud, robbery or trade in illegal drugs or other substances;
I am due to exchange contracts on my apartment. I had a double glazing fitted in month 6 but did not receive a FENSA certificate or Building Regulation Certificate. My buyer's lender, RBS - Direct Line are being difficult. The solicitor who is on the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel is recommending indemnity insurance as a solution but RBS - Direct Line are insisting on a building regulation certificate. Why do RBS - Direct Line have a conveyancing panel of they don’t accept advice from them?
It is probably the case that RBS - Direct Line have referred the matter to their valuer. The reason why RBS - Direct Line may not want to accept indemnity insurance is because it does not give them any reassurance that the double glazing correctly and safely installed. It merely protects against enforcement action which is very unlikely anyway.

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