FAQs : The Metro Bank Solicitor Panel from members of the public
How easy is it to change a solicitor as I need to find one who is on the Metro Bank conveyancing panel. How easy is it to change conveyancer?
If you haven't yet instructed a solicitor to do anything for you and have just received quotes, you're perfectly free to choose a different solicitor to carry out your work for you. The best way is to get recommendations from friends or family who have actually used the solicitor or conveyancer you're considering.
We are due to exchange on the purchase a house but as a result of damage from the recent storms I have agreed compensation from the seller of £3k approx by way of a reduction in the price. This was going to be dealt with as part of the conveyancing process but my mortgage company Metro Bank will not agree to this. Why was Metro Bank even consulted?
Your lawyer being on the Metro Bank conveyancing panel is duty bound to inform Metro Bank of any changes to the purchase price. If you were to refuse your lawyers to disclose the reduction to Metro Bank then they would have to discontinue acting for you and Metro Bank.
I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Metro Bank conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Metro 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 Metro 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 Metro Bank solicitor panel.
The firm that I recently instructed on my purchase in Brighton has without warning closed. I only went with them because I had to have a lawyer on the Metro Bank conveyancing panel and my family lawyer was not. I paid them £200 on account. What do I do now?
Assuming that you have an Estate Agent in the equation then let them know immediately so that they advise the vendors that there may be a slight delay due to the problems encountered. Hopefully they will be sympathetic and urge their lawyer to send a new set of papers to your new solicitors. You will need to appoint new lawyers that are on the Metro Bank conveyancing panel and notify the lender. If you have paid over any money it will hopefully be held by the SRA as money in an intervened firm's bank accounts is transferred to the SRA. Then, the SRA or the intervention agent looks at the intervened firm's accounts to work out who the money belongs to. To claim your money you will need to contact the SRA. If the SRA cannot return money you are owed from the firm's bank accounts, or if they can only return part of the money, you can apply to the Compensation Fund for a grant. Your new lawyers should be in a position to assist
Is the case that all CQS (Conveyancing Quality Scheme) solicitors on the Metro Bank conveyancing panel?
A selection of banks and building societies now use CQS as the starting point for Panel membership such as HSBC and Santander. The Law Society’s CQS accreditation however is 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 panels.
Is there a list of Metro Bank panel conveyancers on the Building Society Association’s Website?
No. There is no such tool on the Council of Mortgage Lenders or Building Society Association websites. Very few lenders make their panel listings available online.
We have had an offer accepted on a apartment I spoke to a lawyer recommended by my brother and he advised retaining a solicitor approved by Metro Bank. The estate agent recommended two local firms so I asked Metro Bank if the 2 suggested solicitors are approved, which they are not. Metro Bank suggested that either firm can fill out the appropriate forms to become approved. Do I (1) save myself the aggravation and use one of Metro Bank '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 Metro Bank 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 Metro Bank 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 Metro Bank conveyancing panel as it may only take about 2-3 weeks. As long as they meet Metro Bank’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.