We are purchasing a 3 bedroom flat in Camberwell with a mortgage. We would like to retain our Camberwell conveyancer, but the bank advise she’s not on their "panel". It seems we have no choice but to instruct one of the mortgage company panel conveyancing practices or keep our Camberwell lawyer and pay for one of their panel firms to act for them. This seems very unfair; are we not able to insist that the mortgage company use our Camberwell solicitor ?
Unfortunately,no. The mortgage offered to you is subject to its terms and conditions, one of which will be that lawyers will on the bank’s 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. Another option that might be available is for your Camberwell conveyancing lawyer to apply to be on the conveyancing panel.
Are the Camberwell conveyancing solicitors identified as being on the Aldermore conveyancing panel, together with their details provided by Aldermore?
Camberwell conveyancing firms themselves provide us confirmation that they are on the Aldermore conveyancing panel as opposed to being supplied with a list from Aldermore directly.
When it comes to mortgage companies such as Barclays, do Camberwell property lawyers have to pay an annual charge to be on the conveyancing panel?
We are unaware of any bank fees to register on their list of approved firms, although some do levy an administration charge to deal with the processing of the conveyancing panel submission.
Intending to buy a maisonette in Camberwell. I have received an online quote from a licenced 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 Skipton 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 the Camberwell conveyancing practitioner is on the Skipton conveyancing panel.
My offer was accepted on an apartment in Camberwell on 17/7/2025, valuation was booked five days later, all came back fine. Property lawyer instructed, so all that was missing was my mortgage offer. Having made daily calls to Skipton and chasing them on my offer, I have now been told that my offer will not be issued unless the lawyer is on the Skipton conveyancing panel. Are Skipton entitled to hold back the Mortgage pending the lawyer being on the approved list?
A lender would not issue an offer until they have details of a lawyer on their panel. It can take a few weeks for Skipton to deal with your lawyer's application to be on the Skipton conveyancing panel. There's no guarantee that your solicitor will be accepted.
Am I best advised to appoint a Camberwell conveyancing solicitor in close proximity to the house I am purchasing? An old friend can carry out the legal work however her office is a couple of hundredmiles away.
The benefit of a local Camberwell conveyancing practice is that you can visit the firm to sign paperwork, present your identification documents and pester them where appropriate. Having local Camberwell know how is a bonus. That being said nothing is more important than finding someone that will pull out all the stops for you. If other friends have used your friend and in the main were happy that should trump using an unfamiliar Camberwell conveyancing lawyer solely due to them being round the corner.
Is it true that a Camberwell conveyancing firm taken to court by a client for failing to conduct the right conveyancing investigations?
Our attention has not be brought to such a Camberwell conveyancing matter but according to a recent report, clients purchasing a house in Cumbria successfully sued their lawyer due to development permission to erect a wind farm not being identified in conveyancing searches.
If you are buying in Camberwell It is important that your conveyancing practitioner conduct all Camberwell conveyancing searches needed to ensure you have relevant and current information before purchasing a home in Camberwell.