Electronic services backed

E-CONVEYANCING: security and confidentiality remain major reservations for larger firms

Solicitors and other professionals involved in the conveyancing process have given their backing to the government's vision of paperless offices, with four out of five saying they could not come up with a better system.

However, security and confidentiality are still major concerns.

Launching its report on the future of e-conveyancing this week, the Land Registry revealed that 83% of respondents to a consultation on the issue said they were interested in providing electronic services, although smaller law firms were more reticent about the cost and upheaval of implementing new IT systems.

Larger firms already had much of the technology in place and were more worried about security.

Electronic signatures were a major bugbear - although 60% of respondents thought e-signatures should be sufficient proof of authentication for conveyancing documents, 84% had concerns about signing them for clients.

The increased potential for fraud was a major reservation.

More than two-thirds of respondents backed the idea of a chain matrix - where parties can monitor the progress of a chain on-line - although many opposed it, citing possible problems with confidentiality.

Two-thirds of respondents said they hoped the Land Registry would take a phased approach - with existing systems operating alongside electronic ones - rather than a 'big bang'.

Chief land registrar Peter Collis said it would now consider the way forward in light of the responses, with a view to producing a further report in the autumn.

Denis Cameron, chairman of the Law Society's land law and conveyancing committee, said the main theme emerging was that e-conveyancing as a concept had no real opposition.

'I'm sure that the Land Registry will address any concerns that were raised in the consultation,' he added.

'I am glad that it is taking on board the Law Society's comments, and we look forward to working closely with it to push forward e-conveyancing.'

The Council of Mortgage Lenders also welcomed the positive response.

Communications manager Bernard Clarke said: 'We welcome the introduction of e-conveyancing as a means of speeding the home-buying process and removing uncertainty for consumers.'

Paula Rohan