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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.
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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
Examples of recent questions relating to the First Direct Conveyancing Panel
My husband and I are hoping to buy a 3 bedroom flat in London with a mortgage from First Direct. We would like to retain our lawyer but First Direct says she’s not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the First Direct panel firms or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?
No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the First Direct conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. Another option that might be available is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for First Direct
Much to my surprise my conveyancer has requested from me proof of ID documents asserting that this forms part of his obligations as a conveyancer on the First Direct Solicitor panel. Can this be correct?
Due to Money Laundering Regulations your conveyancing lawyer is duty bound to confirm positively your identification when entering into a business relationship with you. It is a criminal offense if your lawyer not do this. If you do not provide ID early in the transaction the solicitor must refuse to act for you. It’s unlikely a lawyer will turn you away if you come to the first meeting without relevant ID but you will have to produce it at some point so you might as well bring it with you to the initial meeting so the lawyer can tick the ID verification box and start sorting out the conveyancing straight away. If you are getting a mortgage with First Direct your lawyer also has to check ID documents to satisfy First Direct
Do all the licensed conveyancers and solicitor practices listed on your directory have online case tracking as I understood that this was a condition of being on the First Direct conveyancing panel?
The Council of Mortgage Lenders or BSA do not require online case tracking. Some law firms operate such technology and some don't.
My uncle passed away six months ago and as sole heir and executor was left the house. The house had a relatively small loan left on it of around £8000. I want to transfer the title deeds into my name whilst I re-mortgage to First Direct , pay off the mortgage etc. Is this possible?
If you intend to re-mortgage then First Direct will insist on your using a conveyancer on the First Direct conveyancing panel. Here is link to the Land Registry online guidance around what to do when a property owner dies. This will help you to understand the registration process behind changing the details re the registered title. in your case it would appear that you are effectively purchasing the property from the estate. Your First Direct conveyancing panel solicitor pays the new mortgage money into the estate, the estate pays off the old mortgage, the charge is released and you become the owner and the First Direct mortgage is registered as a charge at the Land Registry.
My husband and I are in the throws of looking at houses and now considering a potential offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I I am planning to take a home loan with First Direct
It would be sensible to have your start your search soon rather than later. 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 , ask your prospective lawyers check they are on the First Direct conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
My ex -wife’s name is on the First Direct mortgage of my property but not on the land registry. The apartment was transferred to me on our divorce many years ago by way of a sealed court order. Does my ex still have a say on the sale even though the land registry showing the property in my name alone? Will I be required to take her name of the First Direct mortgage in order to sell?
As regards the First Direct mortgage, it is unusual that your ex-wife’s name remains on the mortgage but not on the title. It is conceivable that this is an oversight on the part of your conveyancers to ensure that her name was removed or even an administrative error on the part of First Direct in failing to update their data. In any event, it should cause difficulty providing her name no longer appears on the Land Registry title and you have a court order ordering that the property is transferred to you.
First Direct have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on house has been accepted, now what?
The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure these solicitors are on the lenders panel). Call up First Direct or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. First Direct will tell you what documents they want. First Direct will instruct a valuer. The valuer will get in touch with the estate agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about week to get a mortgage offer. First Direct will issue the offer to you and your lawyer. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing.
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