FAQs : The Bank of Scotland Private Solicitor Panel from members of the public
My fiance and I are hoping to buy a 2 bedroom apartment in Hackney with a mortgage from Bank of Scotland Private. We like our lawyer but Bank of Scotland Private says he's not on their "panel". It seems we have little choice but to instruct one of the Bank of Scotland Private panel solicitors or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. This seems very unfair; is there anything we can do?
No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the Bank of Scotland Private conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Bank of Scotland Private
Please assist. For no fault of my lawyer but, my purchase conveyancing has been going on for months. The Local Authority Search from Bank of Scotland Private was date stamped random date and we have agreed a date for me to move into the property on 10 days inc Day of week eg. Mon. My solicitor says that as she is on the Bank of Scotland Private conveyancing panel she needs to redo the searches as they are no longer acceptable to the lender.
A precondition to being on the Bank of Scotland Private approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook Part 2 obligations (last updated for this lender on Bank of Scotland Private)which specifies that a local authority search be not more than 6 months old. You should nevertheless ask your lawyer to check whether something called ‘search validation’ indemnity insurance is acceptable to Bank of Scotland Private.
I require the services of a Bank of Scotland Private panel solicitor in Stirling. Could you help me?
It is not clear why you need a Bank of Scotland Private panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Bank of Scotland Private to find out which solicitors in Bank of Scotland Private are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. At a fee of one pound per month it is not expensive to register on the site
I was due to move into my first house two days ago. My lawyer’s firm is on the Bank of Scotland Private solicitors panel but has changed address 8 weeks ago and had not informed Bank of Scotland Private of their new address. Bank of Scotland Private 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. Most 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 Bank of Scotland Private branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can help.
Are all Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Bank of Scotland Private conveyancing panel?
A selection of lenders now use CQS as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. CQS membership however is no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to remain on their approved list of firms.
The for formalities of my remortgage has taken place with a loan from Bank of Scotland Private. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about Bank of Scotland Private. How does one go about formally complaining?
Almost all lenders have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the Bank of Scotland Private branches or the Customer Services Team at Bank of Scotland Private head office. We understand that complaints to Bank of Scotland Private are sorted out very quickly. If you feel that the matter is not resolved you can write to the
Financial Ombudsman Service at South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR who will take matters further.
Planning on purchasing a house with a mortgage with Bank of Scotland Private. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Bank of Scotland Private conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the Bank of Scotland Private conveyancing panel