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approved by BankOfScotlandPrivate
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the BankOfScotlandPrivate list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.
Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
How does my firm apply to be on the Bank of Scotland Private Banking Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Bank of Scotland Private Banking Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Bank of Scotland Private Banking Conveyancing Panel
Frequently asked questions relating to the Bank of Scotland Private Conveyancing Panel
My financial adviser has informed me that I have to pay Bank of Scotland Private fees if I use my own solicitor. How good are the Bank of Scotland Private conveyancing panel solicitors? I'm happy to use any solicitor in the country TBH as long as they're good and reasonably priced. Would you recommend a specific law firm on the Bank of Scotland Private panel?
Bank of Scotland Private’s conveyancing panel is pretty large so it would be advisable to check with the firms you are getting quotes from that they are on the panel. You can search by postcode on the search tool on this site to find solicitors that Bank of Scotland Private will allow to act for them.
can you help? My lawyer is informing me me that he has to order a Local Authority search as the firm are on the Bank of Scotland Private conveyancing panel. Is this really necessary?
You have limited options available to you. As you are taking a mortgage with Bank of Scotland Private your lawyer has to comply with their conditions as set out in their version of the CML Conveyancing Handbook. Your lawyer would have previously signed the Terms and Conditions of Bank of Scotland Private’s conveyancing panel appointment which obliges them to follow the CML Handbook requirements last updated Bank of Scotland Private. even if you were a cash buyer you would be ill advised not to carry out a local authority search.
Do I have to attend the offices of the Bank of Scotland Private conveyancing panel solicitor to sign the mortgage deed? If so, I will instruct a firm who offer conveyancing in Manchester
so that I can pop in to their offices when needed.
Most conveyancing panel lawyers for Bank of Scotland Private undertake all of the work via the post, internet or over the phone. This means that they can undertake your Conveyancing Transaction no matter where you live in England or Wales. However you should check if you can still book an appointment to go into appointed conveyancing lawyer if you prefer.
Please explain the implications if my lawyer’s firm is removed from the Bank of Scotland Private Conveyancing panel prior to the moving date as agreed at exchange of contracts?
The first thing to point out is that, 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 for a fee.
I had instructed online conveyancers based in Cardiff who are on the Bank of Scotland Private solicitor panel. They are now charging me a separate fee of £150 for dealing with the Bank of Scotland Private mortgage. Is this an additional conveyancing fee specified by Bank of Scotland Private?
Unfortunately, as long as it is in their Terms and Conditions or Quote then yes your solicitors can charge a fee for this. This fee is not set by Bank of Scotland Private but by your lawyers. Some firms on the Bank of Scotland Private will charge an ‘acting for lender’ fee and others do not.
The for formalities of my purchase has taken place with a mortgage from Bank of Scotland Private. Conveyancing was of an acceptable standard but I feel I should register my dissatisfaction about Bank of Scotland Private. Who do I contact should I wish to lodge a complaint?
All lenders have complaints procedures. Your first port of call should be one of the Bank of Scotland Private branches or the Customer Services Department at Bank of Scotland Private head office. We understand that complaints to Bank of Scotland Private are resolved effectively and efficiently. 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 who will take matters further.
Bank of Scotland Private 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 Bank of Scotland Private or your broker and complete any relevant paperwork. Bank of Scotland Private will tell you what documents they want. Bank of Scotland Private 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. Bank of Scotland Private 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.