National Westminster Bank Conveyancing Panel Information

The requirements to join the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel is likely to be fairly detailed and is unlikely to include signing up to LENDERmonitor alerts.

We only know of two or three lenders that operate a separate approved solicitors panel where the mortgage advance is over a certain level. You should nevertheless check directly with National Westminster Bank. At one stage HSBC would only allow Sole practitioners to act for them where the mortgage was below £150,000. We are not sure if HSBC still operate such a condition. In your case it is best to check with National Westminster Bank

For most lenders participation on the lender's panel of conveyancers is at the absolute discretion of the the lender. Many lenders reserve the right to accept or reject any application without giving any reason. You should check your original application to join the National Westminster Bank conveyancing panel to see if you are entitled to a reason.

The Law Society’s CQS membership gives no guarantee to lender panel acceptance. Nevertheless the Council of Mortgage Lenders have indicated that it is likely to become a prerequisite for firms wishing to remain on their approved list of conveyancing solicitors. Some mortgage companies now use the scheme as the starting point for Panel approval such as HSBC.

You should get in touch with National Westminster Bank to obtain standard documents. The CML Handbook has a specific section for lenders to reveal who to contact to obtain standard documents. National Westminster Bank in their Part 2’s state: Don’t forget to disclose the firm’s National Westminster Bank solicitors panel number.