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approved by Scottish Widows
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Scottish Widows list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
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How does my firm apply to be on the Scottish Widows Bank plc Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Scottish Widows Bank plc Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Scottish Widows Bank plc Conveyancing Panel
Scottish Widows Conveyancing Panel Example Support Desk Enquires
I am hoping to receive a offer of a mortgage from Scottish Widows. I hope to enlist the help of a Licensed Conveyancer. Does the Scottish Widows Solicitor panel allow for conveyancers regulated by the CLC
Scottish Widows’s conveyancing panel is, like many other lenders associated to the CML or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
Much to my surprise my conveyancer is asking me for proof of ID documents saying that this is part of his legal duty as a solicitor on the Scottish Widows Conveyancing panel. This is news to me - can I refuse?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identity of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing business. The Terms and Conditions that you need to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lawyer is right that Scottish Widows also require certain documents to be viewed. If a you refuse to provide ID verification documents, your conveyancer would not be able to accept instructions from you. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with Scottish Widows CML Handbook requirements last updated on Scottish Widows
I note that you have a post code search directory identifying firms on the Scottish Widows conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a referral fee if I appoint them for my house purchase?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Scottish Widows conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
What happens if my solicitor is suspended from the Scottish Widows Conveyancing panel in advance of the completion date?
First, this is a very rare occurrence. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit for a fee.
Are all Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Scottish Widows conveyancing panel?
A selection of banks and building societies now use the accreditation scheme as the starting point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. CQS membership however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to join their panels.
We have agreed to purchase a house.One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Scottish Widows have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with Scottish Widows your lawyer must to check the Scottish Widows conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Scottish Widows . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Scottish Widows where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. The CML are developing guidance for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
I have paid off my mortgage with Scottish Widows. I assume I don't need a solicitor on the Scottish Widows panel to remove the mortgage at the Land Registry. Please confirm
If you have finished paying off your Scottish Widows mortgage they may send you evidence showing that you have paid it off. Alternatively they may notify the Land Registry directly. The Land Registry need to see this evidence before they will remove the Scottish Widows mortgage from the register. Scottish Widows,and any evidence they send you, will determine the action you need to take. In cases where no conveyancer is acting for you and you have paid off your mortgage:
but are not moving to another property
where the Scottish Widows has sent the Land Registry the discharge electronically, and
the Scottish Widows has instructed the Land Registry to do so
The Land Registry will send you a letter confirming that your Scottish Widows mortgage has been paid off.
Other Topics
Transfer of Equity for Scottish WidowsPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors