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Hampden Solicitor Panel: Recently Asked Questions
Hampden would like me to act for them alone on a residential conveyancing matter , using the CML Lender’s Handbook. The borrower has his own solicitor (not on the
Hampden conveyancing panel) How will this work and are there different instructions from Hampden in this situation?
The CML, together with
Hampden and other lenders developed a standard set of requirements where a conveyancer is representing a lender such as Hampden alone in a residential conveyancing transaction.
These obligations are contained at Part 3 of the UK Finance Lenders’ Handbook and are to be read together with Part I and II.
The CML have published an example requirements letter to the borrower’s lawyer 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 lawyer.
Can you suggest any advice if we wish to lodge an appeal being removed from the
Hampden solicitor panel?
If you are removed from the
Hampden conveyancing panel and you are unaware of or disagree with the reasons for your removal you should: (a) Contact
Hampden directly. (b) If there is an appeals process detailed on your letter you should follow the process.
In appealing a decision by Hampden, it may be useful to provide the following information:
- Comprehensive disclosure of your firm’s transaction history
- A copy of your COMPLETIONmonitor reports if you use that service
- Your recent claims history
- comprehensive details of all staff in your practice and their position.
- Note down if a solicitor has been admitted to the role on completion of the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test.
- Provide duplicate practising certificates, the firm's current professional indemnity policy and the firm’s accountant's certificate, setting out the percentage of the firm's gross fee income is resulting from residential conveyancing transactions
On appeal some solicitors have been able to regain membership to panels notwithstanding the policy by the respective lenders to refuse panel membership to firms with certain profiles or characteristics. The success is primarily due to the firms’ ability to persuade the lender to make an exception if there is sufficient evidence to reassure them that the firm is a ‘low risk’.
Being on the Hampden conveyancing panel how long am I expected to retain the original conveyancing file?
The CML Part II requirements of
Hampden are silent on this. Most mortgage companies address the question of file retention via their Terms and Conditions where they generally provide that for evidential purposes, the firm must keep the file for a minimum six 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 Hampden’s interest. To be
absolutely sure of Hampden requirements in this regard
please check the Terms and Conditions of Hampden’s
conveyancing panel membership.
My practice have never been on the
Hampden conveyancing panel as well other lenders.
My clients, who have applied for a mortgage with Hampden still want me to act for them regardless of the fact that we are not on the
Hampden panel. Is it fine for me to use a firm down the road to act for
Hampden on mortgage aspect of the conveyancing?
You need to be careful here as what you are suggesting may not be acceptable to the mortgage company.
It is possible that you (as a non-panel firm) or the mortgage applicant are not at liberty instruct a panel firm of your choice. Many lenders make it clear to their panel firms that where a non-panel member firm is instructed by one of their mortgage applicants, the lender must appoint a panel firm to carry out its instructions and to liaise with the borrower's conveyancing firm.
You also need to make the costs implications and potential for delay very clear to your client.
I have been a sole practitioner for over 30 years never having had a negligence claim and have been refused acceptance on the
Hampden conveyancing panel with no explanation. Am I not entitled to to know why?
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
Hampden conveyancing panel to see if you are entitled to a reason.
Prime Professional’s PII renewal form enquires if my practice had been excluded from any lender panels in the last 12 months.
I recently found out that the firm is no longer on the
Hampden conveyancing panel? Will that effect my insurance?
Your insurance brokers are your best port of call to address this question.
The chances are that on the basis that you have not been removed for
fraud or negligence reasons that there will be little or no
impact. The main reason why a firm would be removed off of a lender
panel is due to low volume of conveyancing cases although there may be
a number of criteria for Hampden solicitor panel
membership. Please remember that it is always important that you
complete your insurance forms accurately.
Our practice is on the
Hampden
conveyancing panel and all set to complete a purchase within the next week. I can not locate a Mortgage Deed for the client to execute.
Who do I contact at Hampden to obtain duplicate documents?
You should communicate with Hampden
to obtain standard documents. The CML Handbook includes an express question for lenders to establish who to contact to obtain standard documents.
Hampden in their Part 2’s state:
It helps to disclose your Hampden solicitors panel reference.
Find a Lawyer on the Hampden Conveyancing Panel
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Average number of days to register title including a charge in favour of Hampden
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 Hampden Firms
- Draft Report on Title precedent for Hampden borrowers
- Draft Anti Money Laundering PolicyTemplate for Hampden panel firms to consider
- Dealing with Lender Policy Template panel for CQS accredited firms on the Hampden lender panel
- Buy-to-Let help for Hampden
- Consent-to-Let help for Hampden
- Contractor Mortgages with Hampden
