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.
Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
How does my firm apply to be on the Hampden & Co plc Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Hampden & Co plc Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Hampden & Co plc Conveyancing Panel
Hampden Conveyancing Panel Sample Enquires to our Call Center
Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer is not on the Hampden Solicitor panel that there is a problem with the quality of his conveyancing?
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 most common reasons for removal are: (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 Hampden.
can you help? My solicitor is advising me that he is legally obliged to conduct a Local Authority search as the firm are on the Hampden solicitor panel. Is my lawyer correct?
You have limited options available to you. As you are taking a mortgage with Hampden your lawyer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of Hampden’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated Hampden. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
Do all the licensed conveyancers and solicitor practices listed on your search have online case tracking as I understood that this was a condition of being on the Hampden conveyancing panel?
No. There is no CML Part 2 or Building Society Association requirement relating to online case tracking. Some law firms operate such technology and some don't.
Please explain the implications if my lawyer’s firm is removed from the Hampden Conveyancing panel in advance of the moving date as agreed at exchange of contracts?
The first thing to point out is that, this is very unlikely to happen. 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.
Can I register a complaint to Hampden about the lawyers being on the Hampden conveyancing panel?
There is little point in complaining directly to Hampden. All solicitors 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.
Planning on purchasing a flat with a mortgage with Hampden. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Hampden conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the Hampden conveyancing panel
We are are purchasing a penthouse in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon will soon begiven the go-ahead. My brokersuggested that we enquire that the property lawyer in Hendon is on the Hampden solicitors panel. Aren't all lawyers on the Hampden panel?
It is not that case that all Hendon conveyancing solicitors are on the Hampden conveyancing panel. 8 people a month use our search tool to locate a Hendon conveyancing lawyer on the on the Hampden solicitors pane.
Other Topics
Transfer of Equity for HampdenPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors