Solicitors’ Certificates in Mortgages & Guarantees – Managing Risk and Liability

Even seemingly routine Solicitors’ Certificates can carry significant professional and liability risks. Whether you’re advising a regular client or a last-minute “walk-in”, the stakes are high. Time pressure, cost constraints, and clients who treat loan documents as a mere formality all make careful due diligence essential. 

This seminar provides practical guidance on managing risks when advising on mortgages, guarantees, and third-party securities, and offers strategies to ensure your advice, process, and documentation withstand scrutiny. 

This session will cover: 

• Verifying identity – What constitutes “reasonable steps” in practice. 
• Client advice & file management – Documenting understanding and instructions. 
• Virtual witnessing and execution – Practical issues and current requirements. 
• Conflicts of interest – When you must decline to act. 
• Scope of advice – Where your duty ends (and when to suggest financial advice). 
• Costing the file & managing time pressures. 
• Walk-ins vs ongoing clients – Different approaches to risk. 
• Comprehension and informed consent – Meeting obligations. 
• Recent claims and real-world lessons – Common pitfalls and how to avoid them. 

Don’t risk being caught in an Amadio-style dispute – learn how to protect yourself and your practice while providing clear, confident advice.