M&S Bank Conveyancing Lender Panel Compliance Tool

Lexsure’s COMPLETIONmonitor is web-based pre- and post-completion checklist for residential conveyancing lawyers. Supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders and professional indemnity insures. 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 M&S Bank’s changes. Even though using COMPLETIONmonitor is not a prerequisite for M&S Bank , demonstrating you can remain up to date with M&S Bank’s Handbook requirements is an excellent support to your application to their lender panel and, just as importantly, safeguard your firm’s panel standing.

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, results in a PII saving.

Book a M&S Bank Demo for this Panel Compliance Tool

Banks and building societies often change their requirements. The UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook requirements from M&S Bank 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, M&S Bank has made 119 revisions or additions to sections of their version of the CML Handbook.
That equates to a section change every 22.9 days. In total, 35% of the sections of P2 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook for M&S Bank 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
10.3 12/03/2018 CML
Mortgage Advance and Certificate of Title
What are the standard deductions made by M&S Bank from the mortgage advance?
10.7 12/03/2018 CML
Mortgage Advance and Certificate of Title
In the event of a delayed completion, when and how is advance to be returned to M&S Bank by the conveyancing panel?
16.3.2 12/03/2018 CML
Transfer of Equity
M&S Bank details for requesting debt amount
16.5.3b 12/03/2018 CML
Deed of Rectification
Where do solicitors and conveyancers send the deed of rectification in relation to M&S Bank mortgages ?
16.5.3d 12/03/2018 CML
Option Agreements
Contact details at M&S Bank for conveyancing panel lawyers to send option agreements .
4.5b 12/03/2018 CML
Certificates of Title
Contact details at M&S Bank for conveyancing panel/approved lawyers where COT should be sent
5.15.2a 12/03/2018 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing : Management Company
Contact details at M&S Bank for approved lawyers for apparent problems with the management company.
5.15.2d 12/03/2018 CML
Leasehold Conveyancing : Management Company
M&S Bank approved lawyers leasehold conveyancing requirements : requirement as to whether a copy of the management company's memorandum and articles of association needs to be sent to them
6.6.1 12/03/2018 CML
Buy to Let Conveyancing
Contact details at M&S Bank for conveyancing panel lawyers were the subject property is let/to be let and to check M&S Bank lend on buy-to-let.
5.2.1 12/03/2018 CML
Seller not registered
Contact details at M&S Bank for approved lawyers for where the seller is not the owner or registered proprietor and is not listed in the exceptions in the CML Handbook P1.

Last update 04/11/2018

Common questions asked concerning the M&S Bank Conveyancing Panel from members of the public

A conveyancer my husband and I had intended to instruct on a remortgage said she will levy higher legal fees if my lender is due to their difficult processes! Will I regret using M&S Bank? Any comments will be appreciated
M&S Bank conveyancing requirements for their panel are no better or no more complicated than most lenders. It is the case now the CML Handbook, the "bible" used by solicitors to establish lender requirements, is different for each lender. It is not clear if your lawyer is on the M&S Bank conveyancing panel. If they are not, this does add further risk of delay as M&S Bank will appoint their own solicitors to look after their interest.
We are only a couple days away from an exchange and my parents having sent the 10% deposit to my lawyer. I am now advised that as the deposit has not come from me my lawyer needs to disclose this to my lender M&S Bank. Apparently, being on the M&S Bank conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform M&S Bank if the balance of the mortgage advance is coming from anyone other than me. I disclosed to the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the home loan so is it really necessary for him to raise this?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with M&S Bank to make sure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only report this to M&S Bank if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the M&S Bank conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the M&S Bank 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 M&S Bank 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 M&S Bank solicitor panel.
What happens if my lawyer’s firm is removed from the M&S Bank Conveyancing panel in advance of completion?
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.
We have agreed to purchase a house.One unusual aspect is that the roof has a solar panel. Solicitors conducting should look into this right? Will my lender M&S Bank be concerned
Given that you are obtaining a mortgage with M&S Bank your lawyer must to check the M&S Bank conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for M&S Bank . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to M&S Bank where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. The CML are developing guidance for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
The for formalities of my purchase has taken place with a mortgage from M&S Bank. Conveyancing was a necessary evil but I would like to complain about M&S Bank. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
Most lenders have complaints procedures. Your first point of contact should be one of the M&S Bank branches or the Customer Care Department at M&S Bank head office. We understand that complaints to M&S Bank are resolved very quickly. However if you are not satisfied that the matter is resolved you can write to the Financial Ombudsman Service at South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SR with full details of your complaint.
It is not clear whether my mortgage offer requires a lease extension . I have called M&S Bank on various occasions and told it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the M&S Bank conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told not they would not lend in accordance with their CML Handbook minimum lease term requirements. I simply dont know who is right
Your lawyer has to follow the CML Handbook Part 2 requirements for M&S Bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that M&S Bank will go ahead your lawyer has no choice but to refrain from exchanging contract and committing you to the purchase. We would suggest that you ask M&S Bank to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.