Bank of Ireland Conveyancing Panel Compliance

Bank of Ireland Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for property lawyers. Supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and PI insurers such as AmTrust. COMPLETIONmonitor is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This software facilitates the way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their instructions, with notifications given on Bank of Ireland’s changes. Even though using the software is not a condition for acceptance on the Bank of Ireland panel, demonstrating you can remain up to date with Bank of Ireland’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your application to their lender panel and, just as importantly, protect your firm’s panel standing.

The software generates real-time alerts, automatically produces regulatory and CQS reports, and will enhance your firm's efficiency. It is also simply to use, cost-effective and, for many firms, leads to reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by Bank of Ireland

Mortgage companies often vary their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Bank of Ireland are not guidelines, they are instructions from a client. As with many clients, instructions can change - and they do change, frequently:

A Timeline of Policy Changes

Since 2008, Bank of Ireland has made 175 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 15.6 days. In total, 27% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Bank of Ireland have been changed since 15/12/2008.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,

Book a Personalised Demo

Recent Changes Include

#	Date	Assoc.	Changes Related To
5.14.9	03/10/2017	CML	Leasehold Conveyancing Contact details at Bank of Ireland (UK) plc for conveyancing panel lawyers for matters relating to the lease.
1.14	18/11/2016	CML	General Mortgage Instructions Can the panel conveyancing firm act for Bank of Ireland (UK) plc if the person dealing with the conveyancing or a member of his immediate family is the seller?
5.8.1	18/11/2016	CML	Freehold and leasehold owner of multiple flats Bank of Ireland (UK) plc panel lawyers clarification as to whether they accept security which comprises a building converted into not more than four flats where the borrower occupies one of those flats and the borrower or another flat owner also owns the freehold of the building and the other flats are subject to long leases?
5.4.6	16/11/2016	CML	Conveyancing Searches: Search Insurance Bank of Ireland (UK) plc approved lawyers clarification as to whether they accept search insurance and, if yes, the Bank of Ireland (UK) plc requirements Local Search Indemnity Insurance
16.1.1	15/11/2016	CML	Title Documents Bank of Ireland (UK) plc details for requesting Title Documentation
5.8.5	21/10/2016	CML	Leasehold Conveyancing : Freehold Reversion Bank of Ireland (UK) plc panel lawyers clarification as to whether they accept security which comprises one of two leasehold flats in a building where the borrower also owns the freehold reversion of the other flat and the other leaseholder owns the freehold reversion in the borrower's flat? If so, are there any specific requirements??
5.20.3	07/05/2015	CML	Panels PV Solar Existence of additional requirements set by Bank of Ireland (UK) plc for approved lawyers relating to leases of roof space for solar PV panels, and if so, what they are.
5.5.1b	01/12/2014	CML	conveyancing requirements in terms of time for building regulation consents
6.14.1a	01/12/2014	CML	contact point if property is not insured in accordance with lender requirement
3.1.5	01/12/2014	CML	ID Documentation Bank of Ireland (UK) plc panel lawyers requirements re ID Documentation: Further acceptable documents (if any)

Last update 11/11/2019

FAQs for the Bank of Ireland Solicitor Panel from members of the public

It has come to my attention via my IFA that my property lawyer is not on the Bank of Ireland Conveyancing panel. What can I do to be sure that this is correct?

You need to contact your lawyer directly. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to advise you what has happened. If they are not on the panel they may recommend you to a firm that is on the conveyancing panel for Bank of Ireland.

My lawyer has discovered a discrepancy when comparing the assumptions in Bank of Ireland’s home valuation report and what is in the legal papers for the property. My solicitor has advised that as he is on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel he is obliged to ensure that the lender is happy with this discrepancy and is content go ahead. Is my lawyer’s course or action right?

A precondition to being on the Bank of Ireland approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Bank of Ireland) 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.

Do I have to pop into the offices of the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the mortgage deed? If so, I will choose one who does conveyancing in London so that I can pop in to their offices if necessary.

Most conveyancing panel lawyers for Bank of Ireland undertake all of the work via the post, internet or over the phone. This means that they can undertake your Conveyancing Transaction no matter where you live in England or Wales. However you should check if you can still book an appointment to go into appointed conveyancing lawyer if you prefer.

I am selling my house. Does my solicitor have to be on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel in order to deal with redeeming my mortgage?

Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. it might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently at the moment.

Is the case that all CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel?

A selection of banks and building societies now use CQS as the starting point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS membership however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.

Is there a list of Bank of Ireland panel conveyancers 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.

My husband and I are in the throws of looking at flats and now considering a potential offer. Is it premature to have a solicitor in place? I I am planning to take a mortgage with Bank of Ireland

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 Bank of Ireland , ask your prospective lawyers check they are on the Bank of Ireland conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.