Mortgage guide
What is a closed legal panel?
Specialist lenders in the land bridging loan sector frequently operate with a closed legal panel. This means they specify which solicitors are authorised to act on their behalf. When obtaining a land bridging loan, you will typically select from a list of solicitors who are approved to represent the lender and, in some cases, you as well.
- Published
- 13 Apr 2026
- Last reviewed
- 8 Oct 2026
- Reading time
- 2 min
What is a closed legal panel?
Specialist lenders in the land bridging loan sector frequently operate with a closed legal panel. This means they specify which solicitors are authorised to act on their behalf. When obtaining a land bridging loan, you will typically select from a list of solicitors who are approved to represent the lender and, in some cases, you as well.
Legal Representation in Land Bridging Loans
Joint Representation
Lenders offering land bridging loans allow for joint representation. This arrangement means that a solicitor from the lender’s closed panel can also represent your interests. This can streamline the legal process and potentially reduce legal costs.
Sole Representation
In contrast, some land bridging loan lenders prefer sole representation, where their chosen solicitor represents only their interests. In such scenarios, you have the option to engage your own solicitor, subject to certain eligibility criteria. This is particularly common when there are specific complexities or higher risks involved in the loan.
It’s important to be aware that with sole representation, you will be responsible for two sets of legal fees, one for your solicitor and another for the lender’s solicitor. This can significantly impact the overall cost of obtaining a land bridging loan.
For more information on legal panel for land bridging:
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