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First Direct 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 First Direct Conveyancing Panel?
Check your firm’s panel Status
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How can my firm be reinstated onto the First Direct Conveyancing Panel?
Check your firm’s panel Status

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

This system is the only way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their requirements, with notifications given on First Direct’s changes. Even though utilising COMPLETIONmonitor is not a prerequisite for First Direct , demonstrating you can stay up to date with First Direct’s Handbook requirements is an excellent support to your panel application and, more importantly, protect your firm’s panel status.

COMPLETIONmonitor generates real-time alerts, automatically produces SRA and CQS reports, and will improve your firm's efficiency. It is also simply to use, cost-effective and, for many firms, leads to reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by First Direct

Mortgage companies frequently change their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from First Direct 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, First Direct has made 258 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the UK Finance Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 10.6 days. In total, 14% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for First Direct have been changed since 15/12/2008.

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Common questions asked concerning the First Direct Solicitor Panel from members of the public

Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my solicitor is not identified on the First Direct Solicitor panel that there is a problem with the quality of the firm’s work?
It would not be wise to jump to that conclusion. There are all sorts of perfectly reasonable explanations. A recent report by the solicitors regulator indicated 76% of law firms surveyed had been removed from at least one lender panel. The most common reasons for removal are: (1) lack of transactions (2) the lawyer is a sole practitioner (3) as part of the HSBC panel reduction (4) regulatory contact by SRA (5) accidental removal. If you are concerned you should simply call the firm and ask them why they are no longer on the approved list for First Direct.
I am due to move into my new home next Tuesday. My conveyancing lawyer has asked me to provide him with a copy of the building insurance for the house as he says that he has to check this in has capacity as lawyer for First Direct. What does the insurance need to cover?
All property lawyers on the First Direct conveyancing panel would need to check that the following risks are covered fire; lightning; aircraft; explosion; earthquake; storm; flood; escape of water or oil; riot; malicious damage; theft or attempted theft; falling trees and branches and aerials; subsidence; heave;landslip;collision;accidental damage to underground services;professional fees, demolition and site clearance costs; and public liability to anyone else. There are some other issues such as the level of excess that are set out in First Direct’s Part 2 requirements of the CML Handbook (last updated on First Direct). Being on the First Direct conveyancing panel your lawyer is expect to follow these instructions.
I am Googling for competitive conveyancing fees. Can I be assured that all the law firms that are listed on your site are on the First Direct conveyancing panel?
The law firms listed on our site have assured us via an online form that they are on the First Direct panel and agreed to advise us to take down their listing in the event of removal off of the First Direct panel. To date we have not been informed by either a mortgage company or a member of the public that the data about a specific firm being on the First Direct conveyancing panel is incorrect.
I was expecting to complete on my first house yesterday. My lawyer’s firm is on the First Direct conveyancing panel but has moved offices in the past couple of months and had not advised First Direct of their new address. First Direct is now refusing to release my funds until such time as their systems are up to date with the correct details.
This is a rare situation indeed. Most lender Terms of Conveyancing Panel Appointment specifically oblige the solicitor to inform the lender of an address change. Your solicitor needs to treat this with the utmost urgency. Do speak with or register your concern with the senior partner (assuming he or she is not your direct lawyer). Most lenders would be reasonable in this situation and expedite the resolution of this issue. It may be prudent to enlist the help of your local First Direct branch or your mortgage broker to see if they can assist.
I am buying a property where the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender First Direct be concerned
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with First Direct your lawyer must to check the First Direct conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for First Direct . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to First Direct where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. Requirements for Scotland are due in the near future.
I am currently in the process of buying my council flat. I have a mortgage offer with First Direct. 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 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 First Direct you will need to appoint a solicitor on the First Direct conveyancing panel.
Sometime soon me and my wife are remortgaging a terraced house in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon need to begiven the go-ahead. My agentrecommended that we enquire that the property lawyer in Hendon is on the First Direct solicitors panel. Surely I don't need to do this, do I?
Not all Hendon conveyancing solicitors are on the First Direct conveyancing panel. Use the above search tool to search for a Hendon conveyancing firm on the on the First Direct solicitors pane.

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