RBS - Direct Line Conveyancing Panel Information

Most lenders do not operate a specific buy to let conveyancing panel but we are hearing about a few that do. We do not know what the position is with RBS - Direct Line as at todays date. If you're about to receive instructions from a client on a buy to let purchase with a mortgage from RBS - Direct Line we suggest that you call RBS - Direct Line to check the position.

What you should do largely depends on the reason that your firm has been removed off the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel. The top 3 reasons are as follows:

1. lack of transactions
2. the lawyer is a sole practitioner
3. as part of the HSBC panel reduction.

In these three circumstances it is unlikely that you would expected to take any action. Disclosure and other compliance considerations are more likely to be relevant if the reason for removal is due to breaches of lender requirements or allegations of fraud or negligence. Whether the reasoning should trigger a disclosable 'material' breach will depend on the firm and the circumstances around possible failures to comply with the SRA Authorisation Rules, and the SRA will judge each case on its own merits. Factors such as the detriment or risk of detriment to clients, the scale of the issue and overall impact on the firm will need to be considered in deciding whether a failure is 'material'. As the compliance officer you will need systems to identify patterns of breaches. Even if you don't consider there to be regulatory implications the firms COFA should give some thought to whether she/he needs to take any action as result of being removed from the RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel.

In the same way that there is a unique RBS - Direct Line 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.

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 RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel to see if you are entitled to a reason.

In the circumstances please clarify on the application what action you have taken to find out the reasons behind cancellation of your RBS - Direct Line 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 should get in touch with RBS - Direct Line to obtain standard documents. The The Council of Mortgage Lenders Handbook includes an explicit inquiry for lenders to enumerate who to contact to obtain standard documents. RBS - Direct Line in their Part 2’s state: Always remember to disclose your RBS - Direct Line conveyancing panel reference.