High Court opens solicitors’ files to mortgage lenders

Hardwicke’s John de Waal has successfully represented Mortgage Express in the High Court in Birmingham in this significant trial concerning lenders access to copies of solicitors’ files. The judgment in Mortgage Express v Sawali means that mortgage lenders will now be able to gain access to copies of solicitors’ files which is important in the investigation of suspicious transactions.

John de Waal says ‘This decision makes it easier for lenders to obtain copies of entire files to see whether solicitors are in breach of the standard Council of Mortgage Lenders Conditions.’

John de Waal was instructed by Wright Hassall LLP for Mortgage Express.