Virgin Conveyancing Panel Example Support Desk Enquires
from members of the public
Much to my surprise I have been told by my estate agent that my the law firm I have appointed is not on the Virgin Conveyancing panel. What can I do to check?
The best course of action for you to take is to contact your conveyancer. It is reasonable to expect your lawyer to advise you what has happened. If they are not on the panel they may recommend you to a firm that is on the the approved Virgin solicitor panel.
I am buying a new build flat and my solicitor is advising me that she is duty bound to disclose incentives from the builder as her practice is on the Virgin conveyancing panel. I am under pressure to exchange contracts and my preference is not to prolong deal. is my lawyer taking the correct approach?
You should not exchange unless you have advised to do so by your lawyer. A precondition to being on the Virgin approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on Virgin). The CML Conveyancing Handbook requires that your lawyer have the appropriate Disclosure of Incentive form completed by the developer and accepted by your lender.
Whilst your website is a good idea there are many lawyers listed near Leeds on the Virgin conveyancing panel. It would be a lot more helpful if you could recommend a specific firm on the Virgin approved panel?
We do not recommend specific firms as the right firm for you depends on where your priorities lie. For example you may require a local firm with local knowledge or you might be looking for the low cost conveyancing. We recommend that you speak to 3 or 4 lawyers listed before you make your choice..
Can you clarify what the consequences are if my lawyer’s firm is removed from the Virgin Solicitor panel before the moving date as agreed at exchange of contracts?
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.
Is it the case that all conveyancing solicitors on the Virgin conveyancing panel work on a no move no charge basis?
In the main there are no requirements by lenders for their firms to operate on a no-sale-no-fee basis. There a small number of lenders who operate a very restricted conveyancing panel managed by a third party company (often termed in the industry as a ‘gatekeeper’). That third party may impose certain conditions such as non-sale-no fee on the panel firms. If you require this as a condition of your conveyancing then you should check with the conveyancing firm that this is part of their package
My husband and I are in the throws of looking at houses and am about to put in an offer. Is it best to have a conveyancer on ‘stand by’? I will be getting a home loan with Virgin
It would be sensible to have your start your search soon rather than later. Once you decide who you want to use 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 Virgin , make sure you remember to check that your lawyer is on the Virgin conveyancing panel.
Intending to buy a flat with a mortgage with Virgin. I have received an online quote from a licensed conveyancer, which states: "There will be no charge for dealing with the Building Society if you are obtaining a mortgage". I take this to mean that there will be no additional fee if the solicitor is on the Virgin conveyancing panel. I wanted to make sure it means there will be no additional fees for dealing with the mortgage.
They are simply saying that the cost for acting for the lender is included in the fee being quoted. It is worth you checking that they are on the Virgin conveyancing panel