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approved by Sainsburys
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Sainsburys 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 Sainsburys Bank Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Sainsburys Bank Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Sainsburys Bank Conveyancing Panel
Frequently asked questions relating to the Sainsburys Bank Conveyancing Panel
Is the fact that my solicitor is not isted on the Sainsburys Bank Conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the quality of his work?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. 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 Sainsburys Bank.
My conveyancer has spotted a discrepancy between the assumptions in Sainsburys Bank’s valuation report and what is in the legal papers for the property. My solicitor informs me that as he is on the Sainsburys Bank conveyancing panel he is obliged to ensure that the bank is OK with this discrepancy and is content go ahead. Is my solicitor’s approach correct?
A precondition to being on the Sainsburys Bank approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Sainsburys Bank) which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for both parties.
Having used your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Sainsburys Bank conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Sainsburys Bank 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 Sainsburys Bank 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 Sainsburys Bank solicitor panel.
I was due to move into my first house last Friday. My solicitor is on the Sainsburys Bank conveyancing panel but has moved offices 8 weeks ago and had not advised Sainsburys Bank of their new address. Sainsburys Bank is now refusing to release my funds until such time as their systems are up to date with the correct details.
This is as unusual as it is unlucky. The majority of 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 Sainsburys Bank branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can help.
Do most banks operate their own panel of solicitors?
Many lenders do operate a restricted conveyancing panel but a lot of lenders allow any solicitors to join their panel so long as they meet their criteria. Each lender sets their own criteria. For example the Sainsburys Bank conveyancing panel requirements are different to Sainsburys Bank’s conveyancing panel criteria.
My wife and I have arranged a further advance on our mortgage from Sainsburys Bank as we wish to carry out a loft conversion to our home. Do we need to appoint a solicitor on the Sainsburys Bank conveyancing panel to deal with the legals?
Sainsburys Bank would not normally appoint 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 Sainsburys Bank panel
I'm at the point of viewing flats and am about to put in an offer. Is it best to have a conveyancer on ‘stand by’? I will be getting a mortgage with Sainsburys Bank
It would be sensible to have your start your search soon rather than later. After you have chosen your lawyer 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 Sainsburys Bank , ask your prospective lawyers check they are on the Sainsburys Bank conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.
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Transfer of Equity for Sainsburys BankPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors