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approved by Natwest Bank
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Natwest Bank list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Find an Approved Solicitor on the National Westminster Bank plc Conveyancing Panel
National Westminster Bank Solicitor Panel Example Support Desk Enquires
Much to my surprise I have been told by my mortgage adviser that my the law firm I have appointed is not on the National Westminster Bank Conveyancing panel. What can I do to be certain that this is indeed the case?
The first thing you need to do is to contact your conveyancer. You lawyer should advise you of the situation. If they are not on the panel they may recommend you to a firm that is on the conveyancing panel for National Westminster Bank.
I am purchasing a newly constructed duplex and my lawyer is informing me that she has to reveal incentives from the seller as her firm is on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to exchange and I have no desire to prolong deal. Can I insist on an exchange regardless of what my lawyer says about being on the National Westminster Bank panel?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the National Westminster Bank approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on National Westminster Bank). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
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 National Westminster Bank 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.
We're in London, FTBs buying with a mortgage (lender is National Westminster Bank , but our solicitor is on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel). How long should the conveyancing process take?
The fact that your lawyer is on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel is a help. It would almost certainly delay matters if they were not. However, no conveyancer should guarantee a time-frame for your conveyancing due to third parties outside of our control such as delays caused by lenders,conveyancing search providers or by the other side’s solicitors. The time taken is often determined by the number of parties in a chain
Can you point me to a directory of National Westminster Bank panel solicitors on the Council of Mortgage Lender’s Website?
No. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few lenders make their panel listings available online.
I previously instructed online conveyancers located in Cardiff who are on the National Westminster Bank solicitor panel. They have just invoiced me a separate fee of £195 for dealing with the National Westminster Bank mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee set by National Westminster Bank?
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 National Westminster Bank but by your lawyers. Some firms on the National Westminster Bank will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee but plenty of firms include it on their overall fee.
My brother and I have had an offer accepted on a house I spoke to a lawyer recommended by my brother and he recommended retaining a solicitor approved by National Westminster Bank. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked National Westminster Bank if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. National Westminster Bank pointed out that either firm can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of National Westminster Bank 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Enquire of National Westminster Bank to suggest a law firm in your location. Most banks have lawyers on their panel throughout the UK. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel based on location. If you particularly like the sound of one of the local lawyers that you have spoken to ask them if they would go onto National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet National Westminster Bank’s requirements it can be a very simple job for the solicitor. Other stuff will be going on in parallel (as you are at an early stage) so it may not delay matters.