Examples of recent questions relating to the Hampden Solicitor Panel from members of the public
Am I correct in assuming that the fact that my conveyancer is not on the Hampden Solicitor 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 Hampden.
I am buying a new build duplex and my solicitor is advising me that she has to reveal incentives from the developer as her firm is on the Hampden conveyancing panel. I am on a tight deadline to sign contracts and I dont want to prolong matters. Is my lawyer right?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Hampden approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Hampden). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Having used your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Hampden conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Hampden approved panel. How can I be sure given that they are not listed on your directory?
Not all firms are yet listed on our lender panel search tool which is still relatively new. Law firms are listing on a daily basis and it is probably the case that your lawyer is on the Hampden conveyancing lawyer and you should probably take them at their word. Please do feel free to suggest that they completing their listing on our site as it would only cost them £1 a month to list themselves as being on the Hampden solicitor panel.
I am selling my house. Does my solicitor have to be on the Hampden conveyancing panel in order to deal with paying off my mortgage?
Ordinarily, even if your lawyer is not on the Hampden conveyancing panel they can still act for you on your sale. it might be that the lender will not release the original deeds (if applicable and increasingly irrelevant) until after the mortgage is paid off. You should speak to your lawyer directly before you start the process though to ensure that there is no problem as lenders are changing their requirements fairly frequently at the moment.
Can I be sure that the solicitor on the Hampden panel is any good?
seeking recommendations is a sensible starting point. Before you go ahead check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always advise that you speak with the solicitor conducting your conveyancing
Can I register a complaint to Hampden about the lawyers being on the Hampden conveyancing panel?
Complaining to Hampden about their conveyancing panel is unlikely to yield much of a response. Every solicitor firm and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. You can get 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.
Hampden have agreed my mortgage in principle, my offer on house has been accepted, now what?
The estate agent will want to know who your solicitors are (make sure these solicitors are on the lenders panel). Call up Hampden or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Hampden will tell you what documents they want. Hampden will instruct a valuer. The valuer will get in touch with the estate agent or seller to book an appointment. Once conducted (assuming no problems) it takes about week to get a mortgage offer. Hampden will issue the offer to you and your lawyer. The transaction will then take it’s course according the nature and complexity of the conveyancing.
