Find a Law Firm
approved by Scottish Widows
Ready to buy a new home? Failing to check that a lawyer is on the Scottish Widows 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 Scottish Widows Bank plc Conveyancing Panel? How can my firm be reinstated onto the Scottish Widows Bank plc Conveyancing Panel?Find an Approved Solicitor on the Scottish Widows Bank plc Conveyancing Panel
Scottish Widows Solicitor Panel Sample Enquires to our Call Center
I need to swap lawyers as my lawyer is not on the Scottish Widows panel of conveyancing solicitors. Is it advisable to appoint a new law firm?
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 getting closer to an exchange and my parents having sent the 10% deposit to my lawyer. I am now advised that as the deposit has not come from me my lawyer needs to make a notification to my lender Scottish Widows. I am advised that, being on the Scottish Widows conveyancing panel and acting on their behalf he must inform Scottish Widows if the balance of the mortgage advance is coming from anyone other than me. I advised the bank about my parent’s contribution when I applied for the home loan so is it really necessary for this now to be an issue?
Your lawyer is obliged to check with Scottish Widows to make sure that they are aware that the balance of the purchase price is not from your own funds. Your solicitor can only report this to Scottish Widows if you agree, failing which, your lawyer must cease to continue acting.
Are the lawyers identified as being on the Scottish Widows conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by Scottish Widows?
The law firm practices themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Scottish Widows conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Scottish Widows directly.
What happens if my lawyer’s firm is removed from the Scottish Widows Solicitor panel before the moving date as agreed at exchange of contracts?
First, 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 at a cost.
How can we tell if a solicitor on the Scottish Widows panel is any good?
seeking recommendations is a sensible start. Before you go ahead check if they offer a no sale no fee offer. Also you often get what you pay for - a firm which quotes more will often provide a better service than one which is cheap as chips. We would always recommend that you speak with the lawyer conducting your transaction
I am buying a property where the roof has a solar panel. Scottish Widows have issued a mortgage offer so presumably this is not a concern to them. Why is my solicitor raising questions about the panel?
Given that your lender is Scottish Widows your lawyer must to check the Scottish Widows conveyancing instructions contained in the Part of CML Handbook for Scottish Widows . The CML Handbook contains minimum requirements for solar panel roof-space leases, and solicitors are required to report to Scottish Widows where a lease does not meet these requirements. The requirements relate to the installation of panels on properties in England and Wales. The CML are developing guidance for Northern Ireland and Scotland.
For 5 years I had a mortgage with Scottish Widows. My father retired last week and wants to pay off the mortgage left on the property. After Scottish Widows 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 Scottish Widows conveyancing panel? I do not intend to live at the property once the Scottish Widows mortgage is discharged.
Although you do need to retain the services of a lawyer they dont
need to be on the Scottish Widows 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. As the property is your main residence you need
not pay CGT but you should speak with your accountants in any event.
Other Topics
Transfer of Equity for Scottish WidowsPlease note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors