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approved by Barclays - Woolwich

Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Barclays - Woolwich list of approved solicitors can put your transaction at risk of delay or failure.

Find an Approved Solicitor on the Barclays Bank as The Woolwich Conveyancing Panel

Common questions asked concerning the Barclays - Woolwich Conveyancing Panel

My husband and I are buying a 3 bedroom flat in Leeds with a mortgage from Barclays - Woolwich. We like our solicitor but Barclays - Woolwich says she’s not on their "panel". We have to appoint one of the Barclays - Woolwich panel firms or keep our solicitor and pay for one of their panel ones to represent them. We feel as though this is unjust; Can we not simply insist that Barclays - Woolwich use our lawyer?
No, not really. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel. Until recently, most lenders had large numbers of law firms on their panels: a borrower could choose one for themselves, as long as it was on the lender's panel. The lender would then simply instruct the borrower's lawyers to act for the lender, too. You can use your lender's panel lawyers or you could borrow from another lender which does not restrict your choice. A further alternative is for your solicitors to apply to be on the conveyancing panel for Barclays - Woolwich
My solicitor has requested from me identification documents saying that this forms part of his requirements as a conveyancer on the Barclays - Woolwich Solicitor panel. Is this right?
Anti-terror and anti-money-laundering rules require solicitors and licensed conveyancers to verify the identity of the person or body they are dealing with before they can accept their conveyancing business. The Terms and Conditions that you need to sign will no doubt confirm this. Your lawyer is right that Barclays - Woolwich also require certain documents to be viewed. If a you refuse to provide ID verification documents, your conveyancer would not be able to accept instructions from you. Your lawyer also has obligations to obtain certain documents in accordance with Barclays - Woolwich CML Handbook requirements last updated on Barclays - Woolwich
I have checked your search tool I can't find the lawyer I was hoping to instruct as being on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel. My lawyer has said that they are on the Barclays - Woolwich 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 Barclays - Woolwich 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 Barclays - Woolwich solicitor panel.
I am considering refinancing my apartment does my lawyer need to be on the Barclays - Woolwich Conveyancing panel?
There is nothing to stop you using your solicitor but Barclays - Woolwich will insist on their interests being represented by a firm on their conveyancing panel. There is much more potential for delays and confusion with two solicitors involved, and it will undoubtedly be more expensive too.
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 Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel requirements are different to Barclays - Woolwich’s conveyancing panel requirements.
Can I register a complaint to Barclays - Woolwich about the lawyers being on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel?
Complaining to Barclays - Woolwich about their conveyancing panel is unlikely to yield much of a response. Every solicitor firm and conveyancer must have a complaints procedure. Usually one can find this information from the solicitor’s or conveyancer’s website or ask at their office. They must tell you about it if you ask.

The Legal Ombudsman will make sure that your complaint is addressed by the solicitor. It can also advise you how to complain.

If a licensed conveyancer does not have a complaints procedure or will not tell you about it, contact the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which will make sure that your complaint is properly dealt with by the conveyancer. Please see below for more information.

I was told three weeks ago that my mortgage has been agreed to by Barclays - Woolwich. Is it usual for Barclays - Woolwich to only issue the offer once my solicitor is approved on their conveyancing panel?
A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Barclays - Woolwich to deal with your lawyers application to be on the Barclays - Woolwich conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitors will be accepted.