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approved by Barclays - Woolwich

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

Find an Approved Solicitor on the Barclays Bank as The Woolwich Conveyancing Panel

Q and A’s regarding the Barclays - Woolwich Conveyancing Panel

Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my solicitor is not identified on the Barclays - Woolwich Solicitor panel that there is a problem with the standard of his work?
That would more than likely be a wrong assumption to make. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The top 3 reasons are as follows: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should simply call the firm and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for Barclays - Woolwich.
Can you clarify something for me?. My lawyer is not to blame but, the conveyancing for my house purchase has been going on for months. The Local Authority Search from Barclays - Woolwich was issued random date and we have agreed a date for me to move into the property on 6. My solicitor informs me that as she is on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel she needs to reorder the searches as they are now out of date.
One of the many conditions to being on the Barclays - Woolwich approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Barclays - Woolwich)which states 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 Barclays - Woolwich.
What tools are available to find a local solicitor on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 25 miles to meet the lawyer.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel tool on this page. Please choose the lender and your location and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest you. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the Barclays - Woolwich solicitor panel.
My conveyancers in Liverpool have advised me that no longer have my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with Barclays - Woolwich. Is it case that being on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a number of years?
Different lenders have different requirements but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the Barclays - Woolwich Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Barclays - Woolwich directly.
Is the case that all CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel?
A selection of lenders now use CQS as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. CQS accreditation however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their panels.
I had instructed online conveyancers located in London who are on the Barclays - Woolwich solicitor panel. They have just invoiced me a separate fee of £135 for the legal aspects of the Barclays - Woolwich mortgage. Is this a supplemental conveyancing fee specified by Barclays - Woolwich?
Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your solicitors can charge a fee for this. This fee is not set by Barclays - Woolwich but by your lawyers. Some firms on the Barclays - Woolwich will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee but plenty of firms include it on their overall fee.
Can I register a complaint to Barclays - Woolwich about the lawyers being on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel?
There is little point in complaining directly to Barclays - Woolwich. 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 addressed 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.