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Co operative Bank Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Looking for information about your firm's panel status?

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How can my firm apply to be on the Co operative Bank Conveyancing Panel?
Check your firm’s panel Status
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How can my firm be reinstated onto the Co operative Bank Conveyancing Panel?
Check your firm’s panel Status

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is an online pre- and post-completion checklist for property lawyers. It is supported by professional indemnity insurers. COMPLETIONmonitor is a unique risk management tool.

This system optimises the way you can demonstrate to lender panels that you are, and can remain fully compliant with their instructions, with notifications given on Co operative Bank’s changes. While using COMPLETIONmonitor is not a condition for acceptance on the Co operative Bank panel, demonstrating you can remain up to date with Co operative Bank’s Handbook requirements is an excellent support to your application to their lender panel and, just as importantly, protect your panel status.

The system creates real-time alerts, automatically produces compliance and CQS reports, and will improve your firm's efficiency. In addition it is simply to use, cost-effective and, for some firms, results in a PII saving.

Find a Law Firm approved by Co operative Bank

Lenders often vary their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Co operative Bank 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, Co operative Bank has made 1274 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the UK Finance Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 2.1 days. In total, 78% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Co operative Bank have been changed since 15/12/2008.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,
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Common questions asked concerning the Co operative Bank Solicitor Panel from members of the public

I am getting a offer of a mortgage from Co operative Bank. I would like to use a Licensed Conveyancer. Does the Co operative Bank Conveyancing panel allow for Licensed Conveyancers
Co operative Bank’s approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders represented by the CML or BSA, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
can you help? My lawyer is advising me that he is legally obliged to order a Local Authority search stemming from the fact that the firm are on the Co operative Bank solicitor panel. The searches cost a lot of money. Can this be avoided?
Unfortunately both you and your lawyer have little choice here. Given that you are taking out a loan with Co operative Bank your lawyer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of Co operative Bank’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated Co operative Bank. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
Your search tool is useful but there are many lawyers listed near Middlesbrough on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel. It would be a lot more helpful if you could recommend a specific firm on the conveyancing panel for Co operative Bank ?
We are not in the business of recommending one firm above another as the right firm for you depends on where your priorities lie. For example you may require a local firm with local knowledge or you might be looking for the low cost conveyancing. We recommend that you speak to 3 or 4 lawyers listed before you make your choice..
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 Co operative Bank. Is it case that being on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel they need to have retained the file for a number of years?
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 Co operative Bank Conveyancing Panel Terms. It might be worth you contacting Co operative Bank directly.
Are all Conveyancing Quality Solicitors on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel?
A selection of lenders now use CQS as the starting point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS accreditation however gives 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.
I am about to exchange contracts on a purchase with a mortgage from Co operative Bank. The report from my solicitor mentions that Co operative Bank could withdraw their offer before completion. Is this right?
Lenders such as Co operative Bank can withdraw their mortgage offer although this is unusual. should Co operative Bank withdraw their offer they may or may not inform you or the lawyer as to their reasoning. There are many potential reasons but here are 5 examples:
  • Co operative Bank may amend or withdraw an offer if the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel solicitor is unable to confirm compliance with any of the conditions of the mortgage offer or if any of the terms of the mortgage offer cannot be satisfied
  • A cashback to the buyer, or | part of the price includes a non-cash incentive to the buyer (eg paid stamp duty land tax),or | any indirect incentive (cash or non cash) or rental guarantee, of which the lender was previously unaware
  • Where the lender has to take account a recent change in taxation
  • Where the sale is not at arms length for value to unconnected persons
  • If the solicitor on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel acting for the applicant, borrower, mortgagor or guarantor cannot comply with Co operative Bank ‘s instructions
We have agreed a price on a house I spoke to a conveyancer previously used by my uncle and he recommended retaining a solicitor approved by Co operative Bank. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked Co operative Bank if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. Co operative Bank suggested that either practice can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of Co operative Bank 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Ask Co operative Bank for conveyancing panel firms in your area. Most banks have lawyers on their panel throughout the UK. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the Co operative Bank conveyancing panel based on location. If you particularly like the sound of one of the local lawyers that you have spoken to ask them if they would go onto Co operative Bank conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet Co operative Bank’s requirements it can be a very simple job for the solicitor. Other stuff will be going on in parallel (as you are at an early stage) so it may not delay matters.