FAQs for the Hinckley and Rugby Solicitor Panel
from members of the public
My Solicitor has never been on on the Hinckley and Rugby Approved Panel. Can I still use my preferred solicitor even though they are excluded from the Hinckley and Rugby panel?
You will need to have a conveyancer complete the legal work required when you take out a Hinckley and Rugby mortgage to buy your property. They’ll carry out all the necessary legal checks on the property, make sure that you’re properly registered as the owner and ensure that all the necessary mortgage documentation is in place. You can instruct a conveyancing firm of your choice. However, if the firm selected is not a member of the Hinckley and Rugby conveyancing panel additional costs will be incurred as separate legal representation will be required by Hinckley and Rugby. Conveyancing panel applications can be submitted, so if your conveyancer has not previously applied for membership they can do so.
I am purchasing a newly constructed apartment and my conveyancer is informing me that she is duty bound to reveal incentives from the developer as her practice is on the Hinckley and Rugby conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to exchange contracts and my preference is not to prolong deal. Is my lawyer right?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Hinckley and Rugby approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Hinckley and Rugby). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Are the lawyers identified as being on the Hinckley and Rugby conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by Hinckley and Rugby?
The law firm practices themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Hinckley and Rugby conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Hinckley and Rugby directly.
Please explain the implications if my solicitor is expelled from the Hinckley and Rugby Solicitor panel before the completion date?
First, this is very unlikely to happen. 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.
Do most lenders operate their own panel of solicitors?
Many lenders do operate a restricted conveyancing panel but a lot of lenders allow any solicitors to join their panel so long as they meet their criteria. Each lender sets their own criteria. For example the Hinckley and Rugby conveyancing panel requirements are different to Hinckley and Rugby’s conveyancing panel criteria.
My brother and I have had an offer accepted on a apartment I spoke to a lawyer previously used by my uncle and he suggested instructing a property lawyers approved by Hinckley and Rugby. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked Hinckley and Rugby if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. Hinckley and Rugby suggested that either practice can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of Hinckley and Rugby 's conveyancing panel solicitors (2) Use the local solicitor and accept there may be delays etc as they go through the approval process.
Enquire of Hinckley and Rugby for conveyancing panel firms in your area. Most banks have lawyers on their panel throughout the UK. You can also use our search tool at the top of this page to search for a lawyer on the Hinckley and Rugby conveyancing panel based on location. If you particularly like the sound of one of the local lawyers that you have spoken to ask them if they would go onto Hinckley and Rugby conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet Hinckley and Rugby’s requirements it can be a very simple job for the solicitor. Other stuff will be going on in parallel (as you are at an early stage) so it may not delay matters.
My husband and I are in the throws of looking at apartments and now considering a potential offer. Should I already have a conveyancer appointed at this stage? I intend to finance via a mortgage with Hinckley and Rugby
It would be sensible to have your start your search soon rather than later. After you have chosen your lawyer and once your offer is accepted you can instruct them to work for you and pass their details on the the EA. As you are getting a mortgage with Hinckley and Rugby , ask your prospective lawyers check they are on the Hinckley and Rugby conveyancing panel otherwise they can't do the mortgage legal work.