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approved by St James Place
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the St James Place list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Find an Approved Solicitor on the St James Place Bank Conveyancing Panel
Frequently asked questions relating to the St James Place Conveyancing Panel
What is the rationale as to why all solicitors are not on the St James Place Conveyancing panel?
As unjust as it may seem for St James Place to restrict who can act for them from the public’s or solicitor’s point of view, the other side of the coin is that the lenders are becoming ever more anxious and feel the necessary need to protect them from mortgage fraud and other illegal activities. As a result of this concern St James Place are limiting their conveyancing panel to a manageable size. The St James Place conveyancing panel is not the most exclusive of all lenders
I am purchasing a new build flat and my solicitor is advising me that she has to reveal incentives from the builder as her firm is on the St James Place conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to exchange contracts and I would rather not delay matters. Is my lawyer right?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the St James Place approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on St James Place). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
I am looking to buy a house and require a conveyancing solicitor in Leeds who is on the St James Place approved. Can you recommend a local solicitor?
Our service is a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for St James Place . We don’t recommend any particular firm.
My conveyancers in London have advised me that no longer have my conveyancing file. To assist with my purchase I took out a mortgage with St James Place. Is it case that being on the St James Place conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a prescribed period?
It very much depends from lender to lender but many of the Terms and Conditions of Conveyancing Panel Appointment require the file to be held for a period of 6 years. That being said we have not seen a copy of the St James Place Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting St James Place directly.
is it true that all solicitors on the St James Place conveyancing panel overseen by the SRA?
As solicitors, in order to be on the St James Place conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Many lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat. I have a mortgage offer with St James Place. Conveyancing is not something I have any knowledge of. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have one. Any advice?
It is not advisable proceed with a house purchase without a solicitor. The council's solicitor are not acting for you. You need a solicitor for a number reasons. One of which is to verify what plans the Council have for repairs and refurbishment for the next five years. Many leaseholders have been stung for contributions of thousands of pounds. In any event if you are getting a mortgage with St James Place you will need to appoint a solicitor on the St James Place conveyancing panel.
Can I register a complaint to St James Place about the lawyers being on the St James Place conveyancing panel?
Complaining to St James Place about their conveyancing panel is unlikely to yield much of a response. 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 properly dealt with 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.