About Conveyancing

How to Check if a Solicitor is on a Lender’s Panel (And Why it Matters)

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by

Simon Seaton
in

Buying a home involves a mountain of paperwork don’t let a “non-panel” solicitor be the reason you trip at the finish line.

If you are using a mortgage to buy a property, your solicitor doesn’t just represent you; they also represent your bank. Because the bank is lending you hundreds of thousands of pounds, they will only work with law firms they have strictly vetted. This list of approved firms is called the Lender’s Panel.

1. How to search for a lender approved solicitor

If you want to skip manual digging through bank intermediary websites, use LenderPanel.com. It’s an independent, centralised search engine designed to answer one question: “Does this lender work with this solicitor?”

How to Use It for Your Search

  • Check the panel for your particular mortgage lender
  • Conveyancing panel membership is lender specific. A firm that can act for one bank or building society may not be approved by another. The office handling the transaction may also matter, so check the particular branch rather than relying only on the name of the firm.
  • LenderPanel.com allows buyers and remortgagors to search for conveyancing firms by mortgage lender and location. If you already have a solicitor in mind, check that the office dealing with your transaction appears for the lender named in your mortgage offer.
  • Check before instructing a solicitor
  • Enter your mortgage lender and postcode to find conveyancing firms listed for that lender in your area.
  • Search for a lender approved conveyancer

Why checking the lender panel matters

  • The “Split-Representation” Warning: If you find a solicitor you love but they aren’t on your lender’s panel, the site flags this conflict before you pay a search fee or deposit.
  • Independent Verification: It acts as a reliable “second opinion” to confirm what a firm tells you over the phone.
  • Speed for Professionals: Mortgage brokers and estate agents
  • Panel membership can change. Treat the directory search as an initial check and ask the firm to confirm in writing that the particular office handling your transaction can currently act for the lender named in your mortgage offer.

2. What if my lawyer is NOT on the panel?

If your search on LenderPanel.com comes back with a “no,” don’t panic. You have three paths forward:

  • Option A: The “Clean” Break (Change lawyer): The simplest move is to switch to a firm that is already approved. It’s faster and cheaper, though you’ll have to redo the “onboarding” paperwork.
  • Option B: The Expensive Route (Separate Representation): You keep your solicitor, but the bank appoints their own solicitor to check your solicitor’s work. You will likely pay for both firms, and it can add 2–4 weeks to the timeline.
  • Option C: The Long Shot (Lender Request): Your solicitor can apply to join the specific lender panel. However, this is rarely a quick fix and can take months.

3. Get it in Writing: The Email Template

Guides to individual lender conveyancing panels

Each mortgage lender maintains its own conveyancing panel. Our lender specific guides explain why checking the correct lender and office at the beginning of the transaction can prevent unnecessary delays:

These guides concern current panel membership. They should not be confused with historical lender requirements, which address what a lender instructed conveyancers to do at an earlier date.

To ensure there are no “he said, she said” delays, send this exact email to any property lawyer you are thinking of hiring.

Subject: Inquiry: Conveyancing Panel Status for [Your Lender’s Name]

Body:

Hi [Solicitor Name/Firm Name],

I am in the process of [buying a home / remortgaging] and am considering instructing your firm for the conveyancing.

Before we proceed, could you please confirm if your firm is currently an approved member of the conveyancing panel for [Insert Lender Name, e.g., HSBC, Santander]?

Additionally, if you have a specific office or branch that handles these cases, please let me know if their panel status differs.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards, [Your Name]

The “Red Flag” Summary Checklist

  • [ ] Search: Use LenderPanel.com to find approved firms in your postcode.
  • [ ] Verify: Send the Email Template above to your chosen solicitor.
  • [ ] Confirm: Get the firm to confirm in writing that they are on the panel .

⚠️ A Note on Accuracy: While LenderPanel.com is an excellent resource, lender panels are dynamic. Lenders can add or remove firms with very little notice. Use the site as your primary research tool, but always ask your solicitor to confirm their status.