Find a Law Firm
approved by Hampden
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Hampden list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Find an Approved Solicitor on the Hampden & Co plc Conveyancing Panel
Frequently asked questions relating to the Hampden Conveyancing Panel
How easy is it to change a solicitor as I need to find one who is on the Hampden conveyancing panel. How easy is it to change conveyancer?
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 solicitor has identified a defect with the lease for the apartment we are buying. The other side have suggested defective title insurance as a workaround. We are happy with insurance and will pay for it. Our lawyer says that as he is on the Hampden conveyancing panel he must check that the lender is happy with this solution. Are we the client or is Hampden?
The short answer to your last question is that, notwithstanding the potential for a conflict of interest, you and Hampden are the client. A precondition to being on the Hampden approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Hampden). The CML Handbook conditions require your lawyer to disclose issues such as defects will the lease so that Hampden 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.
I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Hampden conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Hampden approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the Hampden conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the Hampden solicitor panel.
I was scheduled to complete on my flat last Friday. My lawyer’s firm is on the Hampden solicitors panel but has moved offices 8 weeks ago and had not advised Hampden of their new address. Hampden has locked down the release of mortgage funds as the information from the solicitors isn't correct.
This is as unusual as it is unlucky. Most lender Terms of Conveyancing Panel Appointment specifically oblige the solicitor to inform the lender of an address change. Your solicitor needs to treat this with the utmost urgency. Do speak with or register your concern with the senior partner (assuming he or she is not your direct lawyer). Most lenders would be reasonable in this situation and expedite the resolution of this issue. It may be prudent to enlist the help of your local Hampden branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can help.
We are getting a further advance on our mortgage from Hampden as we wish to carry out alterations or improvements our home. Do we need to appoint a solicitor on the Hampden conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?
Hampden would not normally instruct firms on their approved list of lawyers to deal with such a matter. If they did require any legal work then you would need to ensure that such a lawyer was on the Hampden list
We have a mortgage agreed in principle with Hampden. Solicitors have been appointed? What is the average time that one could expect to receive a mortgage offer from Hampden?
There is no definitive answer here. Have Hampden conducted the valuation? Have you advised Hampden as your lawyers details and checked that your lawyer is on the Hampden conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through
Hampden 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 Hampden or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Hampden will tell you what documents they want. Hampden 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. Hampden 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.