Adopting technology and taking the leap has always seemed to be a tricky thing to implement in the legal sector, especially in conveyancing.
Since July 2020, HM Land Registry (HMLR) started to accepting electronic signatures on conveyancing deeds, removing the last strict requirement for paper and wet-ink signatures in the conveyancing process.
Naturally with the adoption and implementation of any new process, HMLR regularly update their practice notes to enable those in the profession to understand how to use the process. In the beginning, the first practice note was informed by a consultation process.
HMLR hadn’t rested on their laurels as they continued to listen and learn as the process becomes more embedded into the conveyancing culture, and continue to update practice notes to reflect this. In a bid to ensure that the process remains efficient and effective, the organisation regularly works with customers and technology providers to improve their practice guidance and make sure that it stays up-to-date.
A spokesperson for HMLR said:
“An electronic signature is one of the key foundation stones of a truly digital conveyancing process. Digital identity checking, digital deeds and digital land registration processes are among the others. Those are also what we are and will be working on with our partners in the industry in the coming months. We will keep you updated.”
More information about digital signatures and HMLR can be found here.
