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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 web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. It is supported by PI insurers such as AmTrust. COMPLETIONmonitor is a unique risk mitigation tool.

This software optimises the way you can prove to lender panels that you are, and can stay fully compliant with their instructions, with alerts on First Direct’s changes. While using this technology 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.

The software creates real-time alerts, automatically produces COLP and CQS reports, and will improve your firm's efficiency. In addition it is simply to use, cost-effective and, for some firms, leads to reduced PII premiums.

Find a Law Firm approved by First Direct

Mortgage companies frequently vary 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, over time:

A Timeline of Policy Changes


Since 2008, First Direct has made 257 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.

To find out more about lender panel compliance,
Book a Personalised Demo

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

Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer is not on the First Direct Conveyancing panel that there is a problem with the standard of his conveyancing?
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 top 3 reasons are as follows: (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.
My god-son is in the process of securing a newly built flat with a mortgage from First Direct. His conveyancer has advised him of a delay in completing the ‘Disclosure of Incentive Form’. This document is news to me - what is it and who needs sight of it?
The form is intended to provide information to the main parties engaged in the transaction. Therefore, it will be provided to your son’s lawyer who should be on the First Direct conveyancing panel as a standard part of the process, and to the surveyor when asked.

The Developer will be required to start the process by downloading the form and completing it.

The form will therefore need to be available for the valuer at the time of his or her site visit. The form should be sent to the First Direct conveyancing panel solicitor as early as possible, in order to avoid any last minute delays, and no later than at exchange of contracts.

I require the services of a First Direct panel solicitor in Belfast. Could you help me?
Unfortunately it’s not apparent why you need a First Direct panel solicitor but in any event, if you can not find one on our search tool you will need to speak directly to First Direct to find out which solicitors in First Direct are on their panel. If you do find such a firm not listed please direct them to our site to list. At a fee of one pound per month it is not expensive to register on the site
I am buying a right to buy flat and getting a mortgage with First Direct. How practical is it for me to do the conveyancing?
Leaving aside the complexities and merits of DIY conveyancing you will have to appoint a solicitor on the First Direct conveyancing panel to look after their interests. Most people therefore find it easier to let the solicitor act for them and the lender. Furthermore there is minimal cost savings to made in you doing to conveyancing for yourself and another lawyer conducting the conveyancing for the lender. Please feel free to use the search tool to find a lawyer on the First Direct conveyancing panel in your location.
Is the case that all CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors on the First Direct conveyancing panel?
Some major lenders now use the accreditation scheme as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC and Santander. CQS membership however gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. That being said,the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a pre-requisite for firms wishing to join their approved list of conveyancing solicitors.
Is it the case that all solicitor firms on the First Direct conveyancing panel regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority?
As solicitors, in order to be on the First Direct conveyancing panel they would need to be regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority. Many lenders do allow licenced conveyancers on their panel in which case such firms would be regulated by the Council of Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).
My husband and I are remortgaging a terraced house in Hendon. Conveyancing solicitors in Hendon are about to beappointed. My brother-in-lawsuggested that we make sure that the conveyancer in Hendon is on the First Direct panel. Is this really necessary?
Far from all Hendon conveyancing practices are on the First Direct conveyancing panel. 7 people a month use our search tool to find a Hendon conveyancing solicitor on the on the First Direct panel.

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