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approved by First Trust Bank

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

Find an Approved Solicitor on the First Trust Bank Conveyancing Panel

Frequently asked questions relating to the First Trust Bank Solicitor Panel

The conveyancer I wanted to use for conveyancing on a purchase said he would charge more if my lender is due to their difficult processes! Will I regret using First Trust Bank? Any comments will be appreciated
First Trust 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 First Trust Bank conveyancing panel. If they are not, this does add further risk of delay as First Trust Bank will appoint their own solicitors to look after their interest.
My conveyancer has identified a difference between the information in First Trust Bank’s valuation survey and what is revealed within the legal papers for the property. My solicitor says that as he is on the First Trust Bank conveyancing panel he must check that the lender is with this discrepancy and is still content to lend. Is my solicitor’s course or action right?
A precondition to being on the First Trust Bank approved panel is to comply with the CML Handbook requirements (last updated for this lender on First Trust Bank) which do require that your lawyer disclose any incorrect assumptions in the lender’s valuation report and the legal papers. Should you refuse to allow your lawyer to make the appropriate notification then your lawyer will have no choice but to discontinue acting for both parties.
Do all the firms listed on your search have online case tracking as I understood that this was a condition of being on the First Trust Bank conveyancing panel?
No. There is no CML Part 2 or Building Society Association requirement relating to online case tracking. Some law firms operate such technology and some don't.
I am attempting to get my ex-wife taken off the mortgage deeds. Can First Trust Bank really insist on which solicitor I can or can not retain?
You can use any solicitor you like but First Trust Bank then has the right to appoint a different solicitor to act for them at your expense. It might be more cost effective and quicker to instruct a lawyer who is on the First Trust Bank solicitors panel
Is there a list of First Trust Bank panel solicitors 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.
My existing mortgage is with First Trust Bank. My godfather has just retired and wants to pay off the mortgage left on the property. After First Trust Bank is paid, I want to transfer the property to my mother's name; How long does the process take? Do we need two separate solicitors on the First Trust Bank conveyancing panel? I do not intend to live at the property once the First Trust Bank mortgage is discharged.
Although you do need to retain the services of a lawyer they dont need to be on the First Trust Bank panel. You will need a solicitor to draw up the transfer and to deal with the Land Registry formalities. The only thing you need to consider is that by selling at an undervalue so ask your lawyer about the implications. There could be an inheritance tax issue if you die within 7 years of this. There's no capital gains tax for you as it is your main residence.
I can not work out if my mortgage offer requires a lease extension . I have called First Trust Bank on numerous occasions and told it wasn't a problem and they would lend. My solicitor - who is on the First Trust Bank conveyancing panel- telephoned and was told not they would not lend in accordance with their CML Handbook minimum lease term requirements. Who do I believe?
As long as the conveyancer is on the First Trust Bank panel she or he must comply with the CML Handbook requirements for First Trust Bank. Unless your lawyer obtains specific confirmation in writing that First Trust 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 First Trust Bank to contact your lawyer in writing confirming that they will accept the remaining number of years left on the lease.