Bradford & Bingley Conveyancing Panel Information

The CML is not a regulator and therefore will not investigate grievances against lenders. You can of course contact Lexsure to see if we can help.

Section 16.2.1 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook applicable to a solicitor on the Bradford & Bingley conveyancing panel reads ‘Our mortgage secures further advances. Consequently, when a further advance is required for alterations or improvements to the property we will not normally instruct a member of our conveyancing panel but if you are instructed the appropriate provisions of this Handbook will apply’.

The CML, together with Bradford & Bingley and other stakeholders developed a standard set of requirements where a solicitor is representing a lender such as Bradford & Bingley alone in a residential conveyancing transaction. These legal instructions are contained at Part 3 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook and are to be followed together with Parts 1 & 2. The CML have published an example requirements letter to the borrower’s conveyancing solicitor for use by the lender's conveyancer, and sets out to the borrower's conveyancer, the documentary and information requirements of the lender's panel solicitor.

The Council of Mortgage Lender requirements of Bradford & Bingley are silent on this. Most lenders deal with the question 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 Bradford & Bingley’s interest. To be absolutely sure of Bradford & Bingley requirements in this regard please check the Terms and Conditions of Bradford & Bingley’s conveyancing panel membership.

In this situation please explain on the application what steps you have taken to discover the reasons behind cancellation of your Bradford & Bingley panel membership. In particular please provide details if you have received communications from the lender. E.G. before revocation of your panel membership did you receive any letters or calls from the lender advising you as to their reasons?

You need to get in touch with Bradford & Bingley to obtain standard documents. The CML Handbook includes an individual inquiry for banks to establish who to contact to obtain standard documents. Bradford & Bingley in their Part 2’s state: It is likely that you will need to quote your Bradford & Bingley solicitors panel reference.