Who needs the certificate on a Barclays JBSP mortgage
A JBSP mortgage lets someone, most commonly a parent boosting a child's affordability, join the mortgage without becoming an owner of the property. The supporting borrower signs the mortgage deed and is fully liable for the whole debt, but has no ownership interest, no right to live in the property and no share of its value.
That combination of full liability and no benefit is exactly what independent legal advice exists for, so Barclays requires each supporting borrower to be advised by a solicitor who is independent of the purchase. The proprietor, the person on the deeds, is represented by the conveyancer and does not need a separate certificate. If two people are joining as supporting borrowers, both need the advice.
The Barclays process, step by step
Barclays runs its JBSP ILA requirement through a nomination process. First, you choose the solicitor who will give the advice, and give their details to Barclays, typically on Barclays' independent legal advice request form, which your Barclays contact or broker provides during the application.
Barclays then sends its ILA pack directly to the nominated solicitor. This matters for timing: the advice appointment cannot happen until the solicitor has the pack, because the whole point is that they take you through Barclays' own documents. Once the pack arrives, the solicitor arranges the meeting, usually a video call of 20 to 40 minutes, reviews the pack and your mortgage offer with you, explains the full extent of your liability as a supporting borrower, and confirms you are acting freely.
The solicitor then signs the certificate in the form Barclays prescribes and returns it, and your application moves on. On a straightforward case the certificate is signed the same day as the appointment.
How to stop the ILA step delaying completion
The ILA requirement usually surfaces mid-application with everyone waiting on it, so the practical advice is simple: choose and nominate your solicitor as early as possible, because the clock only starts once Barclays has sent them the pack. Booking the solicitor before the pack arrives costs nothing and means the appointment happens as soon as the paperwork lands.
Have your identity documents ready for the solicitor's onboarding: photo ID (passport or driving licence) and proof of address are standard, and getting them done before the appointment keeps the certificate same-day. If your completion date is close, filter the comparison for Express (24h) or Fast-Track (48h) service.
What it costs
ILA for a JBSP borrower is a fixed-fee service, typically £150 to £250 per person at standard turnaround and more for 48-hour or 24-hour service. The conveyancer handling the purchase cannot give the advice, because they act for the owner, so a separate firm is always needed, and that is exactly what the solicitors listed here offer as a standalone service.
Every solicitor on ILA Comparison shows a fixed price for JBSP work upfront, so you can compare fees and turnaround times before you nominate anyone to Barclays.
Need an ILA certificate for joint borrower sole proprietor?
Compare fixed prices and turnaround times from SRA-regulated solicitors who offer exactly this advice, and contact them directly.
Compare solicitorsFrequently asked questions
Does Barclays accept independent legal advice by video call?
Remote video advice is widely used for JBSP ILA, and most supporting borrowers complete the whole process without visiting an office. The pack Barclays sends to your solicitor sets out its current requirements, and the solicitor will confirm the format when they book your appointment. If in-person advice is required or preferred, you can filter the comparison for in-person availability.
Can the conveyancer doing the purchase give the advice?
No. The conveyancer acts for the property owner, so they are not independent for this purpose. The supporting borrower needs a solicitor from a different firm; that is what the ILA condition in the Barclays offer means in practice.
When should I nominate the solicitor?
As early as Barclays asks for it. Barclays sends its ILA pack to the solicitor you nominate, and the advice appointment cannot happen until the pack arrives, so a late nomination adds days to your completion timeline. Choosing a firm and booking before the pack arrives is the single best way to keep things moving.
What documents will the solicitor need from me?
Photo ID (passport or driving licence), proof of address such as a recent utility bill, and your mortgage offer. Barclays supplies the ILA pack directly to the solicitor. Having your documents verified before the appointment means the certificate can usually be signed the same day.
Does this apply to properties in Scotland?
The solicitors listed here are SRA-regulated in England and Wales, and this guide describes the process for properties in England and Wales. Scottish property transactions are governed by Scots law with its own advice requirements, so a Scottish solicitor is needed there.
This guide is general information about how independent legal advice works in England and Wales, not legal advice on your situation. Lender requirements vary; always check your offer conditions. For advice you can rely on, speak to an SRA-regulated solicitor.