Common questions asked concerning the Coutts & Co Conveyancing Panel from members of the public
I am expecting a mortgage offer from Coutts & Co. I would like to enlist the help of a Licensed Conveyancer. Does the Coutts & Co Solicitor panel exclude conveyancers regulated by the CLC
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 CLC.
Much to my surprise my lawyer has requested from me ID documents saying that this is part of his retainer as a solicitor on the Coutts & Co Solicitor panel. Can this be correct?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identity of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing business. The Client Care letter that you need to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lawyer is right that Coutts & Co also require certain documents to be viewed. If a you refuse to provide ID verification documents, your conveyancer would not be able to accept instructions from you. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with Coutts & Co CML Handbook requirements last updated on Coutts & Co
I note that you have a search directory listing solicitors on the Coutts & Co conveyancing panel. Do firms pay you a commission if I appoint them for my own house purchase?
We are a listing service only for law firms wishing to communicate if they are on the Coutts & Co conveyancing panel or other lender panels. We do not charge referral fees to the any conveyancer that you subsequently appoint.
I am trying to get my ex-husband taken off the mortgage deeds. Can Coutts & Co really insist on which solicitor I can or can not retain?
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
I have decided to exercise my right to buy my property off the council. I have a mortgage agreed with Coutts & Co. Conveyancing is new to me. Can I proceed without a solicitor easily? I think we can but we keep being told I should have 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 Coutts & Co you will need to appoint a solicitor on the Coutts & Co conveyancing panel.
On the whole I have been dissatisfied with the level or service received from my lawyer. Is there a Coutts & Co conveyancing panel complaints department or do I complain directly to the law firm?
Complaining to Coutts & Co about their conveyancing panel is unlikely to yield much of a response. Every solicitor firm and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. Usually one can find this information from the solicitor’s or conveyancer’s website or ask at their office. They must tell you about it if you ask.
The Legal Ombudsman will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the solicitor. It can also advise you how to complain.
If a licensed conveyancer does not have a complaints procedure or will not tell you about it, contact the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the conveyancer. Please see below for more information.
I can not work out if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension . I have called Coutts & Co on numerous occasions and was told they are content with the situation 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.