Lender Conveyancing Panels

Russell & Russell are members of the Open Conveyancing Panels of all the main lenders and the majority of the smaller lenders. We are also members of the Closed Conveyancing Panels of both Aldermore Bank and Pepper Money.

Which lenders do you act for?

Note, as a general principle Joint Representation – where a conveyancer acts for both borrower and lender – is permitted unless there is a conflict of interest.

We are members of the Open Conveyancing Panels of all the lenders shown here. If a lender that you are proposing to use is not shown, please contact us to check if we can act for that lender. Start by giving us a call on 0800 103 2600 or complete an enquiry form and we will call you back.

• What is an Open Panel?

  Every lender maintains lists of the conveyancing firms that it has decided can act on its behalf on the grant of a new mortgage. All conveyancers are free to apply to join an Open Panel although they may have to meet certain basic requirements such as the number of Partners and level of their Professional Indemnity Insurance cover. However lenders all have different criteria for panel membership and in addition they may remove firms from their panel in certain situations.

• What is a Closed Panel?

  Some lenders have Closed Panels where they only use a small number of conveyancing firms to act for them generally or sometimes on specific mortgage products. The lenders then develop much closer working relationships with the firms.

• What is a Separate Representation?

  If the conveyancing firm chosen by the borrower is not on the lenders Panel then the lender will instruct another conveyancer of its own choice to act for it. This is referred to as Separate Representation and there are a number of disadvantages from your point of view:

  • your conveyancer cannot communicate directly with your lender but has to go through another legal firm which takes time and causes delay;
  • there is a duplication of legal work by the second firm and you will be asked to pay the fees charged by the lenders chosen conveyancer;
  • your own conveyancer will have to spend more time and your own conveyancers costs to you will increase.  

  Bearing in mind that Separate Representation brings no advantages to you – there are only downsides - you should use Russell & Russell if we are on the Panel of the lender you are applying to. Furthermore, if you have yet to choose the lender it is a safe bet that we will be able to act on a joint representation basis. 

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