Coutts & Co Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is an online pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the CML and PI insurers such as AmTrust. COMPLETIONmonitor is a unique risk management tool.

This system optimises the way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their instructions, with notifications given on Coutts & Co’s changes. Even though utilising the software is not a prerequisite for Coutts & Co , demonstrating you can stay up to date with Coutts & Co’s Handbook requirements is an excellent support to your panel application and, just as importantly, safeguard your panel status.

The system generates real-time alerts, automatically produces regulatory and CQS reports, and will enhance your firm's efficiency. It is also simply to use, cost-effective and, for some firms, leads to a PII saving.

Find a Law Firm approved by Coutts & Co

Banks and building societies frequently vary their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from Coutts & Co are not guidelines, they are instructions from a client. As with many clients, instructions can change - and they do change, over time:

A Timeline of Policy Changes


Since 2008, Coutts & Co has made 185 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 14.8 days. In total, 42% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for Coutts & Co have been changed since 15/12/2008.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,

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Recent Changes Include

# Date Assoc. Changes Related To
5.5.1a 01/12/2014 CML
requirements in terms of time for planning consents
3.1.5 01/12/2014 CML
ID Documentation
Coutts panel lawyers requirements re ID Documentation: Further acceptable documents (if any)
14.1.5 28/05/2013 CML
Post Completion Conveyancing
Does the Coutts need to be sent the original mortgage deed and/or any other original title documents by their conveyancing panel ?
16.3.2 14/01/2011 CML
Transfer of Equity
Coutts details for requesting debt amount
4.5a 14/01/2011 CML
Mortagge valuation - Reinspections
Contact details at Coutts for conveyancing panel lawyers where re-inspection required
5.14.15b 14/01/2011 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing
Coutts approved lawyers leasehold conveyancing requirements : acceptability of indemnity insurance where the terms of the lease are unsatisfactory
Absentee Landlord Indemnity Insurance
6.10.2 14/01/2011 CML
Conveyancing : retenions by mortgage company
Coutts clarification to panel lawyers clarification as to who they release retentions (or instalments of the advance) to
6.6.1 14/01/2011 CML
Buy to Let Conveyancing
Contact details at Coutts for approved lawyers were the subject property is let/to be let and to check Coutts lend on buy-to-let.
3.1.4 13/01/2011 CML
details of the seller's solicitors or licensed conveyancers
10.2a 01/12/2010 CML
Mortgage Advance and Certificate of Title
Do Coutts send the mortgage advance electronically or by cheque?

Last update 07/04/2020

FAQs : The Coutts & Co Solicitor Panel from members of the public

My financial adviser has informed me that I have to pay Coutts & Co fees should I instruct my family lawyer. How efficient are the Coutts & Co conveyancing panel solicitors? I dont care which law firm I use as long as they're good and reasonably priced. Are there any Coutts & Co conveyancers you'd recommend?
Coutts & Co’s conveyancing panel is substantial so it would be advisable to check with the firms you are getting quotes from that they are on the panel. You can search by postcode on the search tool on this site to find solicitors that Coutts & Co will allow to act for them.
We are due to exchange on the purchase a house but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have agreed compensation from the seller of £3k approx by way of a reduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process but my mortgage company Coutts & Co will not agree to this. Why was Coutts & Co even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the Coutts & Co conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Coutts & Co of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to Coutts & Co then they would have to discontinue acting for you and Coutts & Co.
Whilst your website is a good idea there are many lawyers listed near Newcastle on the Coutts & Co conveyancing panel. It would be a lot more helpful if you could recommend a specific firm on the conveyancing panel for Coutts & Co ?
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..
What happens if my solicitor is removed from the Coutts & Co Conveyancing panel in advance of the completion date?
First, this is a very rare occurrence. In most cases even where a law firm is removed off of a panel the lender would allow the completion to go ahead as the lender would appreciate the difficulties that they would place you in if you have ti instruct a new solicitor days before completion. In a worst case scenario where the lender insists that you instruct a new firm then it is possible for a very good lawyer to expedite the conveyancing albeit that you may pay a significant premium for this. The analogous situation is where a buyer instructs a lawyer, exchanges contracts and the law firm is shut down by the regulator such as the SRA. Again, in this situation you can find lawyers who can troubleshoot their way to bring the conveyancing to a satisfactory conclusion - albeit at a cost.
When it comes to mortgage companies such as Coutts & Co do solicitors have to be pay a fee to be on the list of approved solicitors?
We are not aware of any lender fees to be on their panel although some do charge an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel application.
What are the common reasons for a lender such as Coutts & Co to withdraw a mortgage offer?
Banks and Building Societies such as Coutts & Co can withdraw their mortgage offer although this rarely happens. If Coutts & Co 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:
  • Many mortgage offers have an expiry date. Your lawyer should check this. Coutts & Co may amend or withdraw an offer before the end of its validation period if an offer extension is requested and following a re-evaluation of the property the value of the security is below a level which is acceptable to them.
  • If the borrower informs Coutts & Co of a change in security address
  • Where to proceed with the Mortgage offer would be unlawful
  • Following advice from the property assessor on their lender panel or If the lender has doubts about the effectiveness of the valuation as a result of subsequent events or information received post valuation but pre completion
  • Where the sale is not at arms length for value to unconnected persons
Completion of my purchase has taken place with a loan from Coutts & Co. Conveyancing was satisfactory but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about Coutts & Co. How does one go about formally complaining?
All lenders have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the Coutts & Co branches or the Customer Services Team at Coutts & Co head office. We understand that complaints to Coutts & Co are resolved effectively and efficiently. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is resolved you can write to the Financial Ombudsman Service who will take matters further.