RBS- First Active Conveyancing Panel Information

The information on this page is designed to keep solicitors and licensed conveyancers abreast of latest requirements changes by RBS- First Active and to assist in remaining on the RBS- First Active Approved Solicitor Panel.

Looking for information about your firm's panel status?

How does my firm apply to be on the RBS- First Active Approved Solicitor Panel?

Learn How

How can my firm be reinstated onto the RBS- First Active Approved Solicitor Panel?

Learn How

RBS- First Active Conveyancing Panel: Recently Asked Questions

Do RBS- First Active or the CML run professional training seminars for the RBS- First Active approved conveyancing panel in the same way that CQS run CPD Courses for accredited firms?

The Council of Mortgage Lenders (or the BSA) do not involve themselves in training however they do host a number of useful legal related conferences which are attended by firms on the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel. Lexsure intend to run specific lender focused seminars in the near future including a webinar on RBS- First Active’s Part 2 obligations. Practitioners on the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel will be invited. Information about the webinar will be made available as part of the LENDERmonitor P2 change Notifications.

Will the fact that my firm subscribes to LENDERmonitor Alerts help in my application to join the RBS- First Active solicitor panel?

The criteria to join the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel is likely to be fairly detailed and is unlikely to include signing up to LENDERmonitor alerts.

Is there a standard appeals process to prevent solicitors from being unfairly removed them from lender conveyancing panels?

We have come across many solicitors who feel 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 click here.

Who do building societies accept on their Conveyancing Panels?

In the same way that there is a unique RBS- First Active 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.

We had our RBS- First Active panel membership revoked but we have not yet been given a reason as to why. I am completing a CQS application form what information must I report?

In this situation please clarify on the form what steps you have taken to discover the reasons behind cancellation of your RBS- First Active panel status. In particular please provide details if you have received communications from the lender. E.G. before cessation of your panel membership did you receive any letters or calls from the lender putting you on notice?

Our practice is on the RBS- First Active conveyancing panel and due to complete a remortgage within the next week. My file does not contain a Legal Charge for the client to sign. Who do I contact at RBS- First Active to obtain duplicate documents?

You would be advised to communicate with RBS- First Active to obtain standard documents. The The Council of Mortgage Lenders Handbook contains an explicit inquiry for lenders to set out who to contact to obtain standard documents. RBS- First Active in their Part 2’s state:

Always remember to quote the firm’s RBS- First Active solicitors panel number.

Find a Lawyer on the RBS- First Active Approved Solicitor Panel

Average number of days to register title including a charge in favour of RBS- First Active

This information relates to purchase only and not remortgages.

Year	Days*
2025	[no data]
2024	[no data]
2023	[no data]
2022	[no data]
2021	[no data]
2020	[no data]

* Data aggregated from sources including COMPLETIONmonitor

Find solicitors on the RBS- First Active panel near you:

Please note that Lexsure Ltd is in no way associated with nor affiliated with Lexsure Solicitors