Hi-tech Register near

E-CONVEYANCING: legislation 'in force by October'

The Land Registry's timetable for implementing an e-conveyancing regime was put firmly on target last week after the government confirmed that the legislation governing the changes will come into force in autumn.

The publication of a commencement order for the Land Registration Act 2002 - which provides a framework for the introduction and development of e-conveyancing - means that the legislation will be up and running by 13 October this year.

The news came in the same week that the registry launched action packs for solicitors and other professionals involved in the conveyancing process.

The packs contain fact-sheets, forms and guidance on how to deal with changes introduced under the Act, which will also see more information on the Land Register, better title for registered owners, and the creation of the role of registry adjudicator, to be taken up by barrister and current chief commons commissioner Edward Cousins.

Launching the packs, Chief Land Registrar Peter Collis said the Registry was now on schedule with its plans to pilot the electronic discharge of mortgages this year, and to set up its e-records management system and complete the scanning of deeds and vectorising the index map next year.

In 2005, it will pilot the electronic registering of charges, with electronic funds transfer and full legislation covering e-conveyancing to be introduced the following year.

A comprehensive e-conveyancing pilot is expected in 2007.

Mr Collis said the pilot would focus on one area of the country and would involve 'not necessarily the full-blown version, but a pretty full version of e-conveyancing'.

David Lammy, minister at the Department for Constitutional Affairs, said: 'The reforms will benefit all those who won, buy or sell property and, in particular, will open the way to creating a fully electronic conveyancing system,' he added.

Paula Rohan