Britannia Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for property lawyers. Supported by the CML and professional indemnity insures. It is a unique risk management tool.

This software facilitates the way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can remain fully compliant with their instructions, with alerts on Britannia’s changes. Even though using the software is not a prerequisite for Britannia , demonstrating you can stay up to date with Britannia’s Handbook requirements is a helpful support to your panel application and, more importantly, protect your panel status.

The system generates real-time alerts, automatically produces compliance and CQS reports, and will enhance your firm's efficiency. It is also user friendly, cost-effective and, for some firms, results in a PII saving.

Find a Law Firm approved by Britannia

Banks and building societies frequently vary their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Britannia 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, Britannia has made 494 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 5.5 days. In total, 62% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Britannia have been changed since 15/12/2008.

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
6.7.1 01/08/2017 CML
New Build Conveyancing
Britannia approved conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes
6.7.1 16/06/2017 CML
New Build Conveyancing
Britannia approved conveyancer requirements for New Build Conveyancing : Home Warranty Schemes
3.1.4 01/12/2014 CML
details of the seller's solicitors or licensed conveyancers
3.1.6 01/12/2014 CML
verification of identity
5.5.1b 01/12/2014 CML
conveyancing requirements in terms of time for building regulation consents
6.14.1b 01/12/2014 CML
buildings insurance in joint names or lender interest noted
6.14.1c 01/12/2014 CML
buildings insurance total sum insured calculation
6.14.1d 01/12/2014 CML
maximum excess re building insurance
6.14.2 01/12/2014 CML
requirement that all insurance risks are included
6.14.1 01/12/2014 CML
Building Insurance
Britannia panel lawyers additional requirements concerning building insurance

Last update 20/01/2020

FAQs for the Britannia Solicitor Panel from members of the public

I appointed a law firm to conduct the legal paperwork on my house purchase six weeks ago having applied for a mortgage with Britannia. The firm confirmed to me that they are on Britannia conveyancing panel and provided me their panel reference. Britannia then told me that their panel number was dormant and would need to be reactivated. What do I do from here? Do I instruct a different law firm currently on the approved panel for Britannia?
The answer depends on whether you still have confidence in the said solicitors and how long it will take for the firm to be reinstated on the Britannia conveyancing panel You may wish to enlist the help of your broker to check with the Britannia as to how long they think it will take to get the firm to get back on the panel.
My solicitor has spotted a difference between the assumptions in Britannia’s home valuation report and what is in the conveyancing documents. My lawyer informs me that as he is on the Britannia conveyancing panel he needs to ensure that the lender is OK with this discrepancy and is still content to lend. Is my solicitor’s approach legitimate?
A precondition to being on the Britannia approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Britannia) 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 you.
I am purchasing a property and need a conveyancing solicitor in who is on the Britannia conveyancing. Could you point me in the right direction as regards a solicitor?
Our service is a directory service for firms who wish to be listed as being on the approved conveyancing panel for Britannia . We don’t recommend any particular firm.
My conveyancers in London have advised me that no longer have my conveyancing file. At the time of my purchase I took out a mortgage with Britannia. Is it case that being on the Britannia conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a prescribed period?
Different lenders have different requirements 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 Britannia Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Britannia directly.
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Britannia. 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 use 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 Britannia you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Britannia conveyancing panel.
I have instructed a lawyer having checked that they are on the Britannia conveyancing panel. Does my lawyer arrange the survey of the property? Or I've read lots of house buying,I note that they all recommend that you should get your house surveyed prior to buying it. When I asked my solicitor - who is on the Britannia conveyancing panel - on this she said they don't do this and I need to contract an independent surveyor. is that correct?
Britannia will need an independent valuation of the property. Your lawyer will not arrange this. Usually Britannia will appoint their own surveyor to do this, and you will have to pay for it. Remember that this is a valuation for mortgage purposes and not a survey. You may wish to consider appointing your own surveyor to carry out a survey or prepare a home buyers report on the property. It is up to you to satisfy yourself that the property is structurally sound before you buy it. If the survey or report reveals that building work is needed, you should tell your solicitor. You may wish to renegotiate with the seller. or Your lawyer will not organise the survey but they may be able to put you in touch with a local one that they recommend. RICS offers a find a surveyor service (just google it) where you can search for a qualified surveyor by postcode. As you are getting a mortgage with Britannia you could contact your them to see if they have a list of approved surveyors.
Next month my fiance and I are purchasing a house in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon are about to beappointed. My mothersuggested that we double-check that the property lawyer in Hendon is on the Britannia approved list of lawyers. Aren't all lawyers on the Britannia panel?
Not all Hendon conveyancing practices are on the Britannia conveyancing panel. Click here to locate a Hendon conveyancing solicitor on the on the Britannia list of approved conveyancing firms.