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Kent Reliance Conveyancing Panel: Recently Asked Questions
Is there a standard appeals process to prevent solicitors from being unfairly removed them from lender conveyancing panels?
There are thousands of firms across the UK who feel aggrieved claiming that they have been removed from lenders’ panels without an explanation or a good
reason. It is highly unlikely, given that lenders have distanced
themselves from creating a standardised appeals process for
brokers, that an appeals process will be introduced for
lawyers. Commenting on the call by brokers to have a standardised
process the CML said’ “While we understand that some lenders do have
an appeals process, it would not be appropriate for a trade body such
as the CML to seek to be prescriptive about such a process.” Some
lenders do of course set out an appeals policy. The Law Society does
have information on it’s site that may be of assistance. If you would
like to talk to one of our compliance experts about our Lender Panel
Protection Service please contact us.
A recent SRA survey reveals that 76% of
solicitors have been removed from a lender conveyancing panel. Kent Reliance and other lenders have restricted their panel over
the years. Why?
In operating open conveyancing panels, lenders such as Kent Reliance
face a number of fraud and negligence risks. While
there is no authoritative source of data on lender exposure to
solicitor–led mortgage fraud, anecdotal evidence from lenders
indicates exposure on individual cases are often in the millions of
pounds. The National Fraud Authority estimates that £1bn per year is
lost in mortgage -related frauds in total, which is seen as a
conservative estimate.
These risks are exacerbated by the lack of a comprehensive set of data on all conveyancing firms (which, for the avoidance of doubt, would include solicitors and conveyancers across the UK) which is in a readily accessible format. Currently, lenders vet the suitability of their panel firms against a variety of disparate, incomplete and potentially inaccurate sets of information. One top 5 lender pointed out to us that it is almost impossible to track individual fraudsters who move from firm to firm, especially where they are no longer registered or no longer hold a valid practicing certificate.
Kent Reliance and other lenders are in varying stages of reviewing their approach to vetting firms on their conveyancing panels, to ensure their ongoing exposure to unsuitable firms is reduced. There is also regulatory impetus on lenders to ensure that they have satisfactory oversight of their third party panels, including a due-diligence process.
Who do building societies include on their Conveyancing Panels?
In the same way that there is a unique Kent Reliance
conveyancing panel most building societies, operate a conveyancing
panel for solicitors and other conveyancers that the lender will
instruct. Terms and Conditions and criteria for inclusion on a
building society conveyancing panel vary from lender-to-lender. Having
CQS accreditation may be a requirement. Institutional lenders, such
as a building society, is a client and is entitled to instruct the
solicitor or conveyancer of its choosing (who, in turn, is free to
accept or refuse instructions). Therefore, if lender and borrower
cannot agree which solicitor or conveyancer should represent them
jointly, they would usually proceed on a separate representation
basis. The BSA have not published the equivalent of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook
Part 3s.
Are figures published regarding the
Kent Reliance conveyancing panel size as well as the number of conveyancing firms removed from their panel each quarter?
With mortgage companies and conveyancers working so closely together it is surprising that there has not been greater demand for the introduction of a bit of transparency regarding not just the figures for the
Kent Reliance conveyancing panel but for all lender panel listings
We are a 3-partner firm on the Kent Reliance conveyancing panel. How can we advertise our practice as specialists in conveyancing in Hendon authorised to act forKent Reliance?
12 consumers search for a conveyancing practitioner on the Kent Reliance panel each month in Hendon. The lenderpanel directory service team who will show you how your firm can be identified by those searching for conveyancing in Hendon.
Does Conveyancing Quality Scheme acceptance guarantee my firm’s acceptance on to lenders conveyancing panels?
The Law Society’s CQS membership gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless the CML have indicated that it is likely to become a prerequisite for firms wishing to join their panels. Some mortgage companies now use the Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation as the starting point for Panel acceptance as is the case with Astra Mortgages.
My firm is listed on the
Kent Reliance
conveyancing panel and all set to complete a purchase shortly. My papers do not include a Mortgage Deed for the client to execute.
Who do I contact at Kent Reliance to obtain duplicate documents?
You need to contact Kent Reliance
to obtain standard documents. The The Council of Mortgage Lenders Handbook incorporates an individual question for banks to enumerate who to contact to obtain standard documents.
Kent Reliance in their Part 2’s state:
Please remember to disclose the firm’s Kent Reliance conveyancing panel number.
Find a Lawyer on the Kent Reliance Conveyancing Panel
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Average number of days to register title including a charge in favour of Kent Reliance
This information relates to purchase only and not remortgages.
| Year | Days* |
|---|---|
| 2026 | [no data] |
| 2025 | [no data] |
| 2024 | [no data] |
| 2023 | [no data] |
| 2022 | [no data] |
| 2021 | [no data] |
* Data aggregated from sources including COMPLETIONmonitor
Other related topics:
- CQS policy templates and procedures for accredited Kent Reliance Firms
- Draft Report on Title precedent for Kent Reliance borrowers
- Draft Anti Money Laundering PolicyTemplate for Kent Reliance panel firms to consider
- Dealing with Lender Policy Template panel for CQS accredited firms on the Kent Reliance lender panel
- Buy-to-Let help for Kent Reliance
- Consent-to-Let help for Kent Reliance
- Contractor Mortgages with Kent Reliance
