Looking for information about your firm's panel status?
National Westminster Bank Conveyancing Panel: Recently Asked Questions
Do the Council of Mortgage Lenders intend to launch a searchable register search tool with a view
to list practices on the
National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel?
We are not aware of any intention on the part of the CML to develop such a search facility.
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.
Being on the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel how long am I obliged to keep hold of the complete conveyancing file?
The CML Part II requirements of
National Westminster Bank are silent on this. Most lenders deal with the issue of file retention via their Terms of panel appointment where they generally provide that for evidential purposes, the firm must keep the file for at least of 6 years from the date of the mortgage. Data imagining is normally
suitable compliance with this requirement. Many lenders point out in
that it is the practice of some fraudsters to demand the conveyancing
file on completion in order to destroy evidence that may later be
used against them. It is therefore important to retain these
documents to protect National Westminster Bank’s interest. To be
absolutely sure of National Westminster Bank requirements in this regard
please check the Terms and Conditions of National Westminster Bank’s
conveyancing panel appointment.
Do I risk of suspension off the
National Westminster Bank solicitor panel if I have not sent the title deed on a purchase within a certain period of completion?
One might ordinarily expect
National Westminster Bank via their Part 2 requirements to address this but the Handbook is silent on deadlines to send deeds. You need to look at the Terms of
National Westminster Bank’s Conveyancing Panel Appointment that you are bound by. For many lender's these Terms have a clause along the following lines:
‘To keep us informed of the reasons for any delay in your being able to send the title deeds and documents we require to us within 3 months of completion or evidence of proof of registration within that period. (We will send reminders if the deeds have not been received but will not acknowledge receipt of deeds’ It is imperative to keep
National Westminster Bank informed.
Law firms can often compound their problems by not communicating with the lender when there is a delay or problem.
I read the occasional LENDERmonitor notification but I seldom see significant changes. By way of illustration, Fortunately my practice on the
National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel and receive a notification only advising of a change of address. Does that matter?
Yes it does matter because sending a communication or deeds to the wrong address can cause delays that might not only affect your borrower client but also affect your ability to remain on the
National Westminster Bank solicitor panel. Lets say that National Westminster Bank change their requirements as to where the post completion documents should be sent.
Do you change the details in your CMS? Do you make a note? Is this information passed on to secretaries and assistants? In your Certificate of Title to National Westminster Bank you are giving assurances that you will send the deeds within 10 days of receiving the TID. Leaving to one side whether you are in breach of an undertaking in sending it to the wrong address, you run the risk of
National Westminster Bank suspending you off the panel because they are not receiving the deeds in accordance with the COT. It will not be a valid excuse to say that you sent it to their old address.
Does Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation secure my firm’s acceptance on to lenders conveyancing panels?
CQS accreditation 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. A number of mortgage companies now use the Conveyancing Quality Scheme accreditation as the starting point for Panel membership as is the case with Santander.
I am on the
National Westminster Bank
conveyancing panel and due to complete a remortgage within the next week. My papers do not include a Mortgage Deed for the client to sign.
Who do I contact at National Westminster Bank to request substitute deeds?
You need to communicate with National Westminster Bank
to obtain standard documents. The CML Handbook has an express question for lenders to enumerate who to contact to obtain standard documents.
National Westminster Bank in their Part 2’s state:
Please remember to disclose your National Westminster Bank solicitors panel reference.
Find a Lawyer on the National Westminster Bank Conveyancing Panel
powered by LenderPanel
Average number of days to register title including a charge in favour of National Westminster Bank
This information relates to purchase only and not remortgages.
| Year | Days* |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 52.8 |
| 2024 | [no data] |
| 2023 | [no data] |
| 2022 | [no data] |
| 2021 | [no data] |
| 2020 | [no data] |
* Data aggregated from sources including COMPLETIONmonitor
Other related topics:
- CQS policy templates and procedures for accredited National Westminster Bank Firms
- Draft Report on Title precedent for National Westminster Bank borrowers
- Draft Anti Money Laundering PolicyTemplate for National Westminster Bank panel firms to consider
- Dealing with Lender Policy Template panel for CQS accredited firms on the National Westminster Bank lender panel
- Buy-to-Let help for National Westminster Bank
- Consent-to-Let help for National Westminster Bank
- Contractor Mortgages with National Westminster Bank
