Frequently asked questions relating to the Coutts & Co Solicitor Panel from members of the public
I am getting a mortgage offer from Coutts & Co. I intend to enlist the help of a Licensed Conveyancer. Does the Coutts & Co Conveyancing panel exclude Licensed Conveyancers
Coutts & Co’s approved solicitor list is, like many other lenders represented by the CML or Building Society Association, open to Licensed Conveyancers regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
Please help. My solicitor is assuring me that she is duty-bound to order a Local Authority search stemming from the fact that the firm are on the Coutts & Co approved lawyer panel. Do I not have a choice here?
You have limited options available to you. Given that you are taking out a loan with Coutts & Co 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 Coutts & Co’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated Coutts & Co. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
I need to find a Coutts & Co panel solicitor in Stirling. Could you help me?
Unfortunately it’s not apparent why you need a Coutts & Co panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to Coutts & Co to find out which solicitors in Coutts & Co are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. After all the cost is only one £1 a month
I would like to get my ex-husband removed the mortgage deeds. Can Coutts & Co really insist on which solicitor I can or can not instruct?
You can use any solicitor you like but Coutts & Co then has the right to appoint a different solicitor to act for them at your expense. It might be more cost effective and quicker to instruct a lawyer who is on the Coutts & Co solicitors panel
My brother and I have agreed a price on a apartment I spoke to a solicitor recommended by my dad and he advised using a law firm approved by Coutts & Co. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked Coutts & Co if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. Coutts & Co pointed out that either practice can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of Coutts & Co 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Ask Coutts & Co 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 Coutts & Co 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 Coutts & Co conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet Coutts & Co’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.
I can not work out if my mortgage offer obliges me to make sure the lease term for the flat is extended prior to the completion date . I have telephoned Coutts & Co on numerous occasions and told it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the Coutts & Co conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told not they would not lend in accordance with their CML Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I simply dont know who is right
Your lawyer has to follow the CML Handbook Part 2 requirements for Coutts & Co. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that Coutts & Co will go ahead your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask Coutts & Co to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.
My ex -wife’s name is on the Coutts & Co mortgage of my property but not on the land registry. The apartment was transferred to me on our divorce many years ago by way of a sealed court order. Does my ex still have a say on the sale even though the land registry showing the property in my name alone? Will I be required to take her name of the Coutts & Co mortgage in order to sell?
In terms of the Coutts & Co mortgage, it is unusual that your ex-wife’s name remains on the mortgage but not on the title. It is conceivable that this is an oversight on the part of your conveyancers to ensure that her name was removed or even an administrative error on the part of Coutts & Co in failing to update their data. In any event, it should cause difficulty providing her name no longer appears on the Land Registry title and you have a court order ordering that the property is transferred to you.