E-Conveyancing

E-conveyancing will transform the current paper-based conveyancing system into electronic documents, requisitions and signatures and is a central pillar of the Governments agenda to modernise public services.

The Land Registry has already started the process. For some time we have been able to make essential title searches and obtain title information and documents electronically. Lenders have been able to discharge mortgages electronically and from February this year it has been possible for certain minor applications to be lodged electronically. In cases where the Land Registry have queries on registration applications some regional offices raise these by email.

The main development in e-conveyancing will involve the 'chain matrix'. This will signal, to all involved in the process, readiness for exchange and completion and will have notepad and messaging facilities. The prototype of this will be trialled in a pilot to be run from Spring 2007 in Portsmouth, Fareham and Bristol.

The Government has given the go-ahead for the launch of the e-conveyancing pilot service in October 2007 after the introduction of compulsory Home Information Packs in June 2007. The 2007 pilot will represent one of a number of incremental steps towards full e-conveyancing.

The Land Registry has said "The e-conveyancing programme will be introduced incrementally to the property market and individually on a voluntary basis. It will, nonetheless be a massive change for everyone involved which makes it important that we proceed in manageable steps and in accordance with a clear timetable. Stakeholder feedback has helped to identify a preferred date for implementing compulsory use of the electronic system by 2009 or 2010"

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