Catherine Baksi's article, 'Don't let conveyancers take the blame for identity fraud' (see [2008] Gazette, 17 January, 4) highlights the importance of careful reading. The Land Registry's consultation paper on proposed amendments to the Land Registration Rules 2003 was not, at first glance, likely to raise anyone's blood pressure. However, Proposal 66, a section tucked away among assorted technical reforms, beggars belief. Too bad that the consultation period closed on 14 January.


Was anyone else horrified by the idea that conveyancers, while acting for a disponee, should be responsible for verifying the identity of a disponor who is acting in person? Apparently the Land Registry does not believe that this will place a great burden on us. How, in practice, do they propose that we should approach this task? Do we invite the individual, whether he lives in Newcastle or Newquay, to pop round to our office with his passport and utilities bills, or will we have to pay house calls?



Anne Hertzell, Penningtons, Godalming