LAND REGISTRY: completion date pushed back a year but cost estimate proves wrong

The Land Registry's e-conveyancing project has been pushed back by a year to a planned completion date of 2014-15.

The news has been greeted positively by solicitors, with the general consensus that more time was needed to ensure the Land Registry does not blindly move forward with a system seen by many as an attempt to take over the business of conveyancing.

Vera Baird QC made the delay and cost reduction announcement in a written answer to Parliament earlier this month when still a minister at the Ministry of Justice. The Gazette understands that one of the key reasons is that work is being taken back from IT contractors and will be done in-house.

The Land Registry would not give details as to what work it will take over. 'As we've planned what needs to be done in more detail, the extent and complexity of the work has become apparent, leading to a slightly longer timescale,' a spokeswoman said.

Ms Baird also announced a reduction in the cost estimate from £270-310 million to £227 million. However, the Registry admitted to the Gazette this week that it had provided the minister with incorrect information, as the estimate failed to include a contingency which takes it back into the higher range.

Richard Barnett, head of conveyancing firm Barnetts, said the delay is good news as otherwise 'there's no time to iron out the warts [for what is] such a major step'. He added: 'The concept helps firms like mine, but is the Land Registry interfering too much in the process? I don't think anyone's discussed that yet.'

A Law Society spokesman said: 'The Land Registry should be concentrating its efforts on procedures rather than management. Hopefully, that's what it will be doing.'

Conveyancing specialist Denis Cameron agreed that the Land Registry should re-examine its approach. 'The problem is that it has its priorities wrong. The Land Registry should be concentrating on full and proper e-lodgement by using digital signatures appended initially just by solicitors and licensed conveyancers. The existing hybrid situation is as insecure as it is worrying.'

Rupert White