E-conveyancing on the horizon

Baroness Ashton of Upholland, the Parliamentary under-secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs, said in a written statement in the House of Lords: “The Land Registry has carried out extensive further consultation with stakeholders on the introduction of electronic conveyancing in England and Wales since the formal consultation exercise in 2002. The implementation of this important reform programme will continue to be carried out incrementally.

“A prototype in 2006 —the Chain Matrix — and a pilot exercise in the second half of 2007 — the system to be used for domestic sales — are planned, with further releases as the system progresses. These exercises will be limited to voluntary users.

“Once sufficient experience of the new system has been gained, the Secretary of State and Land Registry will initiate a consultation process with stakeholders over the form of the rules which will make e-conveyancing compulsory for most transactions.

“If Parliament approves those rules, I would expect the implementation of the compulsory provisions to take place as soon as possible, which is likely to be in 2009 or 2010.”

Ministerial approval for the development of the Land Registry’s plans for electronic conveyancing was announced in 2004, building on an extensive consultation exercise in summer 2002 and extensive research and investigation with stakeholders and suppliers during 2003.

With e-conveyancing set to transform the current paper-based conveyancing system into electronic documents, requisitions and signatures, the Government say the proposals are a central pillar of their agenda to modernise public services.