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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
Sainsburys Bank Conveyancing Panel Recently Asked Questions
Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer is not on the Sainsburys Bank Solicitor panel that there is a problem with the quality of the firm’s 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.
We are due to exchange on the purchase a house but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have agreed compensation from the seller of £3k approx by way of a reduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process but my mortgage company Sainsburys Bank will not agree to this. Why was Sainsburys Bank even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the Sainsburys Bank conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Sainsburys Bank of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to Sainsburys Bank then they would have to discontinue acting for you and Sainsburys Bank.
How do I search for a local solicitor on the Sainsburys Bank conveyancing panel? I have a car and am prepared to travel up to 25 kilometers to meet the conveyancer.
You can use the find a conveyancing panel search on this website. Please choose the lender and your location and you will see a number of lawyer located nearest you. Alternatively you can type in the name of your proposed law firm and see if they are listed as being on the Sainsburys Bank solicitor panel.
Can you clarify what the consequences are if my lawyer’s firm is suspended from the Sainsburys Bank Conveyancing panel before the completion date?
First, this is a very rare occurrence. 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.
How can we tell if a solicitor on the Sainsburys Bank panel is any good?
seeking recommendations is a sensible start. Before you go ahead check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always advise that you speak with the lawyer carrying out your conveyancing
We have a mortgage agreed in principle with Sainsburys Bank. Solicitors have been instructed? How long does it take for Sainsburys Bank to send the offer to our conveyancer
There is no definitive answer here. Have Sainsburys Bank done the survey? Have you advised Sainsburys Bank as your lawyers details and checked that your lawyer is on the Sainsburys Bank conveyancing panel? It is not unusual for a mortgage offer to take a month to come through
I have not been happy with the level or service received from my lawyer. Is there a Sainsburys Bank conveyancing panel complaints department or do I complain directly to the law firm?
There is little point in complaining directly to Sainsburys Bank. Every solicitor firm and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. Usually one can find this 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.
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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