Following on from the controversial decision to restrict the HSBC conveyancing panel just 43 firms (down from approximately 4000) the bank may have added fuel to the fire by certain assertions about the quality of the restricted panel.
The Guardian Newspaper yesterday quoted HSBC spokeswoman Suman Hughes who said that while previously it “couldn’t guarantee the consistency” of conveyancing firms, using the panel “guarantees a better service”.
I am no litigator but that phrase “guarantees a better services” jumps out to me as a rather bold (and potentially dangerous statement). Here are some questions :
1) Could that statement open up HSBC to a misrepresentation claim in the event that a customer receives poor legal advice ?
2) Does the reference to “better service” create a higher a duty of care on the part of their lawyers?
Only time will tell.
Update: Some weeks after publishing this data HSBC backtracked on this decision. That said as per the article HSBC Panel Removal is once again becoming a topical issue.
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