RBS (One Account) Conveyancing Panel Information

RBS (One Account)’s answer to this question can be found at section 6.4.4 of their CML Part 2 requirements

The Council of Mortgage Lenders, together with RBS (One Account) and other lenders developed a standard set of instructions where a solicitor is representing a lender such as RBS (One Account) alone in a residential conveyancing matter. These requirements 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 lawyer for adaptation by the lender's conveyancer, and sets out to the borrower's conveyancer, the documentary and information requirements of the lender's panel solicitor.

In the same way that there is a unique RBS (One Account) 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.

With lenders and conveyancers working so closely together it is surprising that there has not been much call for the introduction of a bit of transparency regarding not just the figures for the RBS (One Account) conveyancing panel but for all bank panels

You should provide details of the date of removal, information on the reason for removal, date of appeal and any reason given for reinstatement. This should not negatively affect your application but gives the CQS team a complete picture of what has gone on.

You should communicate with RBS (One Account) to obtain standard documents. The CML Handbook includes a specific inquiry for banks to reveal who to contact to obtain standard documents. RBS (One Account) in their Part 2’s state: Please remember to disclose the firm’s RBS (One Account) conveyancing panel number.